Who was the best Dracula?

[Olivia Bauer]

My vote goes to Oldman. I thought those two depicted him well by the book's standards. Also I love those two actors. I thought Oldman matched the old paintings of the real Vlad Tepes III very well. He may have had silly hair as an old man but he still made me shiver.

[Chainsawmidget]

I just don't think there's any topping Bela.  

Pretty much when ever anyone thinks of Dracula, it's his version.  

And this gives ME and idea for a topic. 

[Rev. Powell]

I'll write in Max Schreck, even though his character wasn't called "Dracula." 

[venomx]

Bela Lugosi will always be Dracula in MY book. I also like Gary Oldman's Dracula.

[Psycho Circus]

When did Anthony Hopkins play Dracula?

[Psycho Circus]

When did Anthony Hopkins play Dracula?

Hopkins is old Dracula. Oldman is young.

Oldman played both

[venomx]

When did Anthony Hopkins play Dracula?

Hopkins is old Dracula. Oldman is young.

Oldman played both

Correct... and he did a great job at that.

[Umaril The Unfeathered]

I'm going to be the dark horse here, and throw in my own candidate.

Frances Lederer, from 1958's The Return Of Dracula. While not a world class movie, it was a very sinister one-off perfromance that in many ways may have influenced Dan Curtis to create Barnabas Collins for Dark Shadows.

Let's compare:

Both Bellac and Barnabas Collins were
relatives from "the old world", although Bellac was impersonating.

Both caused their family's wonder at their nocturnal preferences as opposed to daytime visits.  And last, both displayed very polite (though pointed) manners, and did\said just enough to convince their families of their legitimacy, though not w\o it's doubts.

Return Of Dracula isn't a great movie, but a very good one that deserves watching.

[Olivia Bauer]

When did Anthony Hopkins play Dracula?

Hopkins is old Dracula. Oldman is young.

Oldman played both

Oops. He was Van Helsing. I misread something I can't believe that's Oldman under that makeup. He looks more like  Hopkins.

[Umaril The Unfeathered]

Thanks for the inclusion of Frances Lederer, A.J.  You rock!

[bob]

Lugosi, no one else even comes close.

[RCMerchant]

 ns is vius.
But I would have included John Carradine. He is my 2nd favorite Dracula.
He played the Count in HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN,HOUSE OF DRACULA,BILLY THE KID VS DRACULA,VAMPIRA,and DRACULA'S LAST RITES.
Lee would be 3rd.
Jack Palance was a good Dracula as well.
And Lon Chaney Jr. was Dracula in the excellent SON OF DRACULA (1943).

Ask some one to imitate Dracula-they dont do Lee,Carradine or Oldman.
They do LUGOSI.

I can't imagine anyone doing this line but Bela-such eerie cadence...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xmz-p9FYW8

[Newt]

Lugosi is in a class all by himself when it comes to Dracula.

But I must say I really enjoyed and was impressed by Jack Palance.

[crackers]

Nielson is the best at everything.

[indianasmith]

I couldn't even finish the Jack Palance DRACULA. 
Lugosi is the classic, but I still loved Gary Oldman's version, and he certainly matched the descriptions in the book better.  Incredible film.