Who directed the 1931 English-language film Dracula starring Bela Lugosi?

Tod Browning directed the 1931 English-language film Dracula starring Bela Lugosi.

Browning was already an established silent-film director when Universal hired him for its first major sound version of Bram Stoker’s vampire story. The film was based chiefly on the successful stage adaptation by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston rather than directly adapting every element of the 1897 novel.

Browning’s Dracula premiered in New York on February 12, 1931, and became a major commercial success for Universal. Bela Lugosi’s controlled performance and distinctive accent made Count Dracula one of cinema’s defining horror figures.

A common mix-up is Karl Freund, who served as cinematographer and reportedly took on substantial practical responsibility during production. George Melford directed the Spanish-language version, which was filmed at night on the same sets while Browning’s production used them during the day.