Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens
1922/GER 94m Dir: F.W. Murnau Key Cast: Max Schreck
Based on: Dracula by Bram Stoker
I do love a good vampire and Nosferatu was one of cinema's first. It's essentially the story of Dracula but being unauthorized it changes the names (here Dracula is Count Orlok) and moves the bulk of the story from England to Germany.
Orlok has a distinctive look here with long fangs in the centre of his mouth, a bald head and large, bat-like ears. It's an iconic version of vampires which is often referenced and is a brilliant piece of make-up. Orlok probably wouldn't have been effective on looks alone though and it's actor Max Schreck who brings something more to the role. He moves movement really effectively, with Orlok moving slowly and jerkily, not unlike modern depictions of zombies. There's also the iconic moment Orlok rises from lying in his coffin, appearing to float upwards without bending his knees which looks stunning.
Indeed, the film looks fantastic all the way through. Though it's not really scary, indeed we never really see Orlok kill anyone, there's a sense of dread with the way the camera focuses on the vampire for great lengths of time or shows only his shadow. An aspect that makes the film look great is that is was filmed on location in the German cities of Wismar and Lubeck, with Slovakia standing in for Transylvania. This means we get loads of beautiful buildings in shot and given that this was pre-war the places had likely not changed much since 1838 when the film was set.
An interesting addition to this film that is not in Dracula is that Orlok's victims are thought to have died of plague. The implications of this are huge. We never actually see Orlok attack anyone, so it's not inconceivable that the deaths are caused by plague that he accidentally shipped it with him to his new home. Perhaps Orlok is little more than an eccentric, odd-looking man, perhaps a man with disabilities, who Hutter irrationally decides must be a vampire.
Indeed, the residents of the town do blame a person but they choose poor Knock, a man who might have a mental connection to Orlok or it could be argued is undergoing serious mental health issues. Are this community blaming their unfortunate epidemic on a man who needs therapy? Indeed, Orlok, Hutter, Knock and Ellen all have moments where they don't appear quite sane and I'm always intrigued by the idea that supernatural stories could have a much more rational explanation.
Nosferatu still stands up as a good version of Dracula with an iconic vampire-look.
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