Film historians argue that this is the first film depiction of a vampire. While director and actor credited his character as Mephistopheles, a legendary demon, many horror elements associated with vampires exist in the film and are exhibited by the character. These include the transformation from bat to human form, conjuring a harem of demonic brides, apparent mesmeric control, and the ability to conjure humans and creatures to serve him. Many of vampire stereotypes featured here remained tropes in early films about vampires.
Many film historians credit this short film with being the very first horror picture.
The film was presumed lost until 1988, when a copy was found in the New Zealand Film Archive.
May be the first horror and "vampire" film.
Star Film Catalogue no. 78-80.
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By what name was The House of the Devil (1896) officially released in Canada in English?
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