Vampires are notable one of the most popular villains of all time and one of the most popular Halloween costumes; Nosferatu, a 1930′s vampire film is of particular interest because of it’s history and the differences between it’s version of a vampire and the more mainstream vamp.

It was also a film nearly lost in time when the court ordered all existing prints of Nosferatu destroyed due to losing a law-suit against Stoker’s estate, but copies of the film had already been distributed around the world. These prints were then copied over the years, helping Nosferatu gain its current reputation as one of the greatest movie adaptations of the vampire legend.

Count Orlok is the main chracter in the film and is model for a style of fictional vampire not often seen. Although based upon Count Dracula, Orlok possesses none of his predecessor’s aristocratic charm or seductiveness. He resembles something between a rat and a spider and is much more analogous to historical folklore accounts of vampires.

He sleeps in soil infected with the Black Death, and brings plague and disease with him. He is followed everywhere by rats, traditional carriers of the feared Black Death. In terms of horror movie stereotypes, other vampires based upon this character are creatures bordering between a vampire and a mutant.

If you consider yourself a vampire fan, do watch Nosferatu, it’s worth your time and it’s a wonderful chance to see where our beloved vampires came from.