Infection-Theory

Moving on, chronologically, we inch closer to the modern era, but remain, alas, in black and white (with putrid colorization notwithstanding). As with Dracula, the Richard Matheson novel I Am Legend also qualifies as required vampire reading. The Modern Horrors audience is, no doubt, most familiar with the adaptation of the same name, starring Will Smith. Unfortunately, the 2007 film kept the name of the protagonist, but ignored virtually everything else about the novel. Charlton Heston also starred in an adaptation called The Omega Man, more 70’s exploitation/action movie than horror.

Vincent Price stars as a scientist … isolated in a world overrun by vampires.

Before any of those films, however, I Am Legend was first adapted in 1964 as The Last Man On Earth. The incomparable Vincent Price stars as a scientist desperately searching for a cure while isolated in a world overrun by vampires. As an inexplicable infection spreads, Price’s character searches for an explanation and, ultimately, a solution. Throughout the story, you can’t help but see the groundwork for films like Blade and Daybreakers, in addition to the later adaptations.

In addition to the vampire “cure,” The Last Man On Earth was ahead of its time in other ways. It explored whether vampires would even accept a “cure,” or if the last of humanity should be swept aside for the next evolutionary step. In addition, the primary antagonist was a former friend of Price’s character. He stalks and taunts Price mercilessly throughout the film, laying groundwork for future tales of vampires violently lashing out violently and friends and family.  While admittedly melodramatic and dated, few cinephiles argue thatThe Last Man On Earth is the most faithful I Am Legend adaptation.