Favorite Barnabas

Barnabas' character evolved quite a bit over the years. So, the question is: which version do you find the most fascinating?

The Barnabas character just had so much pathos, emotional resonance, creepiness and evil when he was originally introduced.  The fact that he was lonely and vulnerable in spite of his bad deeds makes him so interesting and compulsively watchable.  There is just so much going on with him on so many levels in the 1967 storyline.  You never know what he's going to do next!

I know that JF has said he was flying by the seat of his pants early on and sometimes it shows.  Obviously he was a lot more comfortable with the character by the later storylines.  But that nervousness and hesitancy actually worked in his favor.  When I go back and watch those earliest episodes, he blows me away! It's also so interesting that he (and the writers) introduced with this character a new horror archetype: the reluctant vampire.

One of the best villains of the small or the big screen - hands down!

     This was such a hard question to answer.  I agree so much with Cassandra Blair but had to go with the tragic newly cursed Barnabas.  He gave insight into why Barnabas should be pitied rather than condemned outright.  He transforms from a decent man who cared about Ben and Vicki Winters to the quick descent  into the selfish, evil vampire.  Of course, this lets the show continue as we watch Barnabas' character slowly become rehabilitated.

The 1795 Barnabas showed to me Barnabas' character  before falling victim to the curse.

The story of 1795 tells how Barnabas managed to anger Angelique for her to place such a dreadful consequence upon the one person she supposedly loved.

  Sarah's
   

1795 was my favorite year.  It gave us the backround story.  I loved their costumes, the scenery, the characters, everything was just great.  But Barnabas you have to remember one thing...."Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned".    But then we wouldn't be here talking about Barnabas and Angelique, now would we?

My favorite Barnabas is the 1967 cousin from England. Hating what he is, longing for his lost love, Josette. I like to watch those early scenes with him describing how beautiful the Old House was.

For me, definitely 1795/96.  Watching him deal with his new - ahem - "condition" while fighting to retain what was left of his humanity and decency was utterly spellbinding.

Gerard

I have to vote for when he first came on the scene.  He was compelling to watch.  Fastinating in the tortured vampire and yet so very willing to take what he wants.

Birdie

I'm with CassandraBlair, Maria_Merriweather, and Birdie, I feel the 1967 episodes were some of the finest work we see Frid do on the show. I'm a fan of b&w, so that is another reason I'm partial to those episodes.

I also agree that the 1967 Barnabas was the best.

Tanis

Most fascinating to watch for me is Barn67 when he first arrives on the scene.

My favorite Barnabas is the 1967 cousin from England. Hating what he is, longing for his lost love, Josette. I like to watch those early scenes with him describing how beautiful the Old House was.

 I agree with M.M.  I really enjoyed seeing the new vampire on the scene and it was haunting to see and hear how much he longed for his long lost lost.  One of my favorites was when he was telling the story of Josette to Vicky & Carolyn in the drawing room at Collinwood.  It was both chilling and sad to hear the story of her death.

  Another reason for liking this Barnabas was getting to see how he and Julia became such good friends. They sort of started out as enemies at first with him ready to kill her.  It was great to see how their relationship had evolved over the years and how he became to rely on her friendship.

Cassandra

  Although I adored the Barnabas character when he first was set free, I cried for him when he was cursed in 1795. Needless to say 1795 was my very favorite storyline. He hated what he was and Frid's portrayal, I thought, was just fabulous.
                                                                  Misty

Based on the DVD's that I recently purchased, I think the 1795 Barnabas was the best.

Having just watched it, I'll say BRAMWELL Collins.

So much 'Heathcliff'; but JFrid shows anger peppered with envy; lonliness and selfishness.

I think JFrid was so happy to do anything else, he really immersed himself into Bramwell. (I tend to wonder if by 1841PT, the actors knew it was over.)

Patti