Few mythic figures have captured the imagination as has Dracula. But much confusion surrounds Count Dracula, the fictional vampire, and Vlad Tepes (The Impaler) Draculea III (1431-1476), the Voivode, a real-life royal whose violent, 6-year rule of Romania and many believe inspired the famed, fanged figure. Separating fact from fiction, sink your teeth into Dracula: The Vampire and the Voivode.

We caught up with director, Michael Bayley Hughes to learn more about this fascinating documentary.

Horror News Network: How did you come up with the concept for this Dracula documentary?

Michael Bayley Hughes: The idea for this documentary came from a previous film I made for S4C, the Welsh tv channel, about a real life vampire case which happened in Wales in 2000. The vampire in question was Matthew Hardman who murdered a lady, ripped out her heart and drank her blood. I had recently bought a house from his father. I also had access to transcripts of the police interview tapes where Hardman refers to Dracula's 'awesome power'. Hardman was influenced by the Dracula legend and rather than concentrate on the forensic and criminal aspect of the case, as all the other TV channels had done, I decided to travel to Transylvania and look at the inspiration behind Bram Stoker's novel. In Romania I met Prof. Nicolae Paduraru, President of the Transylvanian Society of Dracula. We became good friends and it was through that friendship and meeting such Dracula experts as Dr Elizabeth Miller that the idea for Dracula: the Vampire and the Voivode came about. There has been much confusion over the years about who Dracula was or wasn't so we decided to put the record straight. The film was made without any funding.

Horror News Network: How long did it take to complete the film?

Michael Bayley Hughes: The film was made over a period of about eighteen months as and when time was available from other projects. I visited Romania many times and travelled the length and breadth of that very fascinating country whose folklore is still intact. There are places in the countryside which haven't changed much in a hundred years.

Horror News Network: Can you give us a rundown of some of the experts involved in this documentary?

Michael Bayley Hughes: Some of the world's leading experts on Dracula contribute to this film. Most notable is Dr Elizabeth Miller, the Canadian academic who has done more than anyone to debunk the Dracula myth. Dr Miller's research has rectified years of misconceptions about Dracula and her books should be on the shelf of anyone interested in the subject. Miller was also the script consultant on our film. The late Nicolae Paduraru also contributes to the film and was an inspirational force in it's making. Nicolae was a pioneer in Dracula tourism. Duncan Light of Liverpool Hope University contributes an interesting interview on Dracula tourism, the result of a year's research in Romania. The English coastal town Whitby, where Dracula makes landfall in England, features in the film and local Dracula expert Harry Collett gives a dramatic interview shot on Tate Sands where the Count on the Demeter on that stormy night. In London we visit some of the key locations in the novel and in Bram Stoker's life in the company of Dracula expert Dr Tina Rath. Dublin, Ireland we visit Stoker's birthplace and inspirational places with Dennis McIntyre, President of the Stoker Dracula Organisation. Wow, that sounds like a lot of experts but they are all entertaining and informative.

Horror News Network: Can you talk a bit about the narration work of Jason Walford Davies?

Michael Bayley Hughes: We thought long and hard about who to narrate this film. Jason's name was suggested to me as a young professor who could interpret and improve my script. Jason made many valuable suggestions and alterations and I think that the quality of his voice will appeal to the audience.

Horror News Network: As a director, what was one of the most interesting facts you learned about Dracula while creating this documentary?

Michael Bayley Hughes: The most interesting fact is that Dracula is probably the most powerful modern myth and the name seems to suggest different things to different people from the kitch to the scary. Some people, like the vampire Matthew Hardman, were unable to handle the myth with drastic consequences. I also realized that there is much ignorance about the subject and that's one of the main reasons for making the film.

Horror News Network: What do you find most fascinating about the vampire? What about the Voivode?

Michael Bayley Hughes: I love the story of Bram Stoker the author and how he came to create such an enduring legend. I find him more fascinating than either the Count or Vlad. It was the intention of the film to explain how the two got mixed up. Vlad was a medieval warlord and the Count a mythological vampire with his roots in folklore.

Horror News Network: Where can readers find out more about Dracula and the Voivode?

Michael Bayley Hughes: Anyone interested in this subject should read the books of Elizabeth Miller. She writes with authority and in an entertaining way. You will not be disappointed. Her book Dracula: Sense and Nonsense is a good starting point.

Horror News Network: In closing, what would you like to say about Dracula: The Vampire and the Voivode?

Michael Bayley Hughes: Making this film has probably destroyed my marriage because my wife, being superstitious, couldn't handle the myth and came to believe that I am a vampire. This film will tell you the truth about the novel which has never been out of print since it's publication and will continue to fascinate and scare for generations to come.

Horror News Network: Thank you for your time, Michael. Best of luck with Dracula: The Vampire and the Voivode! Comment on this interview here.

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Published on: 2011-09-13 (281 reads)