What the historical inaccuracies in Dracula Untold tell us about the rise of Islamophobia

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Home > What the historical inaccuracies in Dracula Untold tell us about the rise of Islamophobia

What the historical inaccuracies in Dracula Untold tell

us about the rise of Islamophobia
[1]

The vilification of Islam has reached such heights that

when the Muslim Sultan Mehmet II is cast opposite
historys bloodiest psycho-tyrant, its Dracula who
emerges as the tragic hero.
by Elest Ali [2] Published 20 October, 2014 - 17:13

Luke Evans in Dracula Untold.

This week I saw Dracula Untold in Istanbul, with an Italian Turkologist who shares my
enthusiasm for vampire movies. It was past 10pm when the credits rolled, and the audience
was disgruntled. Outside, Istiklal Street was still booming. An armored police van drove
passed us, weaving through indifferent crowds. That film was very anti-Muslim, said my
friend. Im the Muslim one in our relationship, but I was trying to shrug it off, because frankly
what else is new?
I do love a good villain, and take some pride in that black-eyed madness the historical Turk is
infamous for. So, far from having an objection to my forefathers being cast in a nefarious light,
it actually took some effort to reign back the gleeful cackling every time Dominic Coopers

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What the historical inaccuracies in Dracula Untold tell us about the rise of Islamophobia

Mehmet II came on screen. That said, my issue is one of historical accuracy, and
contemporary significance.
Admittedly, Hollywood is no genius when it comes to accurate representation. If its not a
larger-than-life action flick where America is saving the world from aliens, chances are theyll
get it all wrong. But why Turks? And why now, when all eyes are on Turkey, and the country
teeters unwillingly on the frontline of impending war? In the current climate of global political
tension and escalating Islamaphobia, what political statement does Dracula Untold make in
pitting our vampire hero against the armies of Mehmet II?
The films generous use of the word Turk was interesting. To call an Ottoman a Turk is like
calling a Roman an Italian. True, the Ottoman sultans were of Turkic origin. But the empire
was much too big, much too ethnically diverse to be called Turkish.
In the Age of Enlightenment, Turk, Moor and Mohammedan were interchangeable terms
which basically meant Muslim. When an Englishman adopted the Islamic faith (and records
hint that there was an influx of apostates during the Jacobean period) he was said to have
turned Turk. Europe wasnt merely compromised by the economic and military might of the
civilised Muslim world. It was compromised by the reality of Islam as a fast-spreading faith
which bore alarming similarities to the Judeo-Christian revelation. It was appealing.
Glamorised even, by wealthy, cultivated Muslim travelers hailing from exotic lands. The wide
use of Turk then, was an attempt to tribalise the Islamic faith and associate it with foreign,
potentially threatening powers, which were the common enemy.
Ill fill you in on some more history. Vlad Dracul II of the house of Draculesti sought support
from the Ottoman Sultan in his claim to the Wallachian throne. To put him on it, the Ottomans
waged war with Draculs enemies. In return, Dracul willingly offered them not one, but two of
his sons: Vlad Tepes Dracula and Radu cel Frumos aka Radu the handsome.
While Vlad Tepes went on to become the progenitor of the vampire myth, his brother would
remain loyal to the Sultan, and his childhood friend, Mehmet II. A skilled and celebrated
general, Radu proved invaluable in the conquest of Istanbul. And when Vlad Tepes started
wreaking carnage across the Balkans, Mehmet II dispatched Radu to quell his brothers bloodthirst. Vlads insurrection was not dissimilar to the terror tactics of the so-called Islamic State.
He killed indiscriminately: Men, women and children; Turks and Bulgarians; Muslims and
sympathising Christians alike were put to the stake. He boasted of his cruelty to the horror of
his foes and allies. And having been raised among Muslims, he had the advantage of
disguise. During their guerilla attacks, his men were dressed in Ottoman uniforms. He talked
Turkish, walked Turkish and burned villages to the ground.
The brothers battled long, but Radu was victorious. Vlad Tepes fled to Hungary, where he
sought sanctuary with the Corvinus clan. But frankly theyd also had enough of his grizzly
antics, so they imprisoned him on charges of treason. True story.
Fast forward to the 21st century. In Dracula Untold, Mehmet II seals his demands on Vlad with
a bloody thumb-print, and the scenes final shot is of the Sultans thumb on an imperial edict,
alongside a stamp bearing the name of God in Arabic script. The Sultans cruelty then is the
will of the Muslim god, who is out to get your children. Today, vilification of Islam has reached
such heights, that even when the Sultan is cast opposite historys bloodiest-psycho-tyrant, its
Dracula who emerges as the tragic hero.

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What the historical inaccuracies in Dracula Untold tell us about the rise of Islamophobia

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Source URL: http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/10/what-historical-inaccuracies-dracula-untold-tell-usabout-rise-islamophobia
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[1] http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/10/what-historical-inaccuracies-dracula-untold-tell-us-aboutrise-islamophobia
[2] http://www.newstatesman.com/writers/210321

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