The recent re-release of George Lucas' epic has prompted me to compare Dracula and Star Wars. Although Dracula is an erotic horror novel and Star Wars is a science fiction adventure, there are many parallels between the world's best-selling novel and the most popular movie of all time.

Neither Jonathan Harker nor Luke Skywalker sets out to be a hero, but both of them answer the call to adventure. Jonathan travels to the mysterious land of Transylvania, while Luke is transported to a distant planet. In both cases, the monster that they face is a vampire. Dracula is a classic blood-drinking vampire, while Darth Vader is an energy-draining vampire. Although Darth Vader's vampiric abilities are not emphasized, there are many similarities between Lord Vader and Count Dracula. Darth Va-der and Drac-u-la are both charismatic warlords of above-average height, who are dressed entirely in black, and have distinctive, menancing voices.

Both Jonathan and Luke are aided in their quest by a warrior/priest, Professor Van Helsing/Obi Wan Kanobi, who knows the monster's strengths and weaknesses, and arms them with the weapons they will need in order to overcome their foe. In Star Wars the vampire hunter's traditional stakes and religious icons are replaced by light sabers and invocations to the "Force." At some point, both Jonathan and Luke are taken prisoner, but they escape and to enlist the help of a band of followers who swear to prevent the monster from conquering England (the universe) and taking the virgin (Princess) as his bride. Han Solo replaces all three of Lucy's suitors, while the robots and the Wookie offer intermitent comedy relief in the tradition of Mr. Renfield.

After a series of battles with the villan's forces (gypsies/a high-tech army), Jonathan drives a knife through Dracula's heart, while Luke destroys Darth Vader's empire by firing a laser beam into the heart of his computer complex. It should be noted that in Bram Stoker's original ending Castle Dracula explodes after Dracula's death, just as the Death Star explodes in the finale of Star Wars.

Source: written by Robert-Eighteen Bisang

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Posted by Dracula's Guest Sun, 05/27/2007 - 09:59

 

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