I am a sucker for horror flicks. I have loved them for as long as I can remember. My all time favorite being the classics like the 1954 "Creature from the Black Lagoon" and the 1941 "The Wolfman". Even without today's special effects and gore I find myself entranced by it. Turn out the lights, give me a bowl of popcorn and a blanket and it's all good.
With every good scary movie there is a creature of darkness that causes the heart to pound and the least little sudden movement or noise will cause you to shriek. What are the legends behind these mysterious creatures? Let's examine just a few.
Vampires, even the name causes panic in some. They are the fictional creatures of the night or are they? Do they really exist? Let's examine what we know from legends. From Ancient Persia and stories of Lilith, a Deity known as Queen of the Demons to Romania and Count Vlad Tepes Dracul, Prince of Wallachia whom it is said slayed and impaled his conquests for pleasure, these stories of the elusive vampire have been been around for centuries. Bram Stoker gave life to the modern day vampire by using Vlad Tepes as the basis for his fictional novel, "Dracula". Many films of "Dracula" exist. Of today's versions one of my favorite is the 1992 classic "Dracula" with Gary Oldman playing the iconic Count. Hollywood has capitalized and transformed these creatures of the night into a seductive, tantalizing phantoms of which can either create panic or intrigue depending on one's willingness to use their imagination.
There are over 600 movies about vampires. Myself I prefer the movies that stick to the older legend as in the 1931 movie "Dracula" where Bela Lugosi portrayed the vampire most eloquently. It still causes shivers even without the special effects and color technology of today as does the 1922 silent film "Nosferatu".But what of today's films? From the "Underworld series" where there is a struggle between vampire and werewolves to "Twilight" where a vampire's skin glitters in the sun rather than burst into the flames, there are many variations of this illusive creature to dwell within the imaginations, but in each there is a common theme. There is struggle between good and evil. Even among mystical beings there is a struggle between light and darkness. You cannot have one without the other.How can you see the dark without a light? It is up to you to find the balance between the two.
Still the question, do the vampires of legend really exist in today's society? There is a community of those who believe they are members of the vampire race.A elite group with the ability to draw energy from other humans. Now I do not believe that they are the "vampires" that bite and attack humans but they live a lifestyle that doesn't conform to what is considered "normal" in today's world, but I do not believe that in itself makes them all "evil". Just because someone is different it doesn't make them wrong or "evil". Within every race there are individuals that one can define as "evil" but it is not fair to judge everyone by the actions of a few.If you look at each race individually you will find that someone somewhere at sometime has created an absolute evil act. How unfair it would be to categorize everyone based on an individuals act. Each of us are responsible for ourselves and our own lives.
On to another Legend, Werewolves...how did that legend begin. Whenever something occurs that is beyond reason a legend is born, Lycanthrophy...the ability to transform oneself into a wolf-like creature. This stems from from people who have a rare genetic disease called hypertrichosi. This is disease causes a growth of fur all over especially on the face, resulting in a wolf-like appearance.These people have been ostracized for their appearance many unable to work due to their different look, Many became carnival sideshow attractions due societies glares and non-acceptance.
My theory is you shouldn't judge someone solely based on appearance or what you may have heard. Really explore and keep an open mind when it comes to opinions of one another. Don't be critical of those who are different simply because of their differences. remember one day you will be judged as in the same manner as you yourself judge others.
When you actually begin to explore the legends and their origins they may not be as frightening but they remain just as intriguing. Me, I will continue to enjoy the "fright" and let my imagination roam free as my light shines.
