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Nosferatu
(Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens)
Germany - 1922
Directed by F.W. Murnau

This is a silent film that tells the story of Bram Stoker's Dracula, following the novel more closely than most versions we've seen.  It is interesting to note that all known prints and negatives of this film were destroyed in compliance with a lawsuit won by Bram Stoker's widow, which prevented the name Dracula and other original character names to be used.  Fortunately, some copies did survive and resurfaced in other countries. 

Murnau's version of the story achieves a tension that does not rely on sound to frighten us.  The shadowy images and negative film affects he uses create a nagging sense of foreboding that increases with events unfolding.  Without the use of grand special effects, Nosferatu can still cause even the most callous of us to lose a little sleep at night. The vampire is played by Max Schreck, who is one very scary looking guy, with an almost elfin look.  He is most convincing in his portrayal of an eternally tormented creature.

Nosferatu is a masterpiece of silent film-making, and a very good scary movie.

Guest Comments

From:  "bentz"

"Simply put, one of THE all-time greatest horror classics, and by far the best vampire movie of them all! Max Schrek is the most gruesome vampire I have ever seen. The mood and sense of doom and gloom that unravels in this classic is absolutely stunning and frightening. Every horror film fan should own a copy of ""Nosferatu!""

From:  "giada"

"About Nosferatu. It is a film that describe wonderfully the psychological state of a nation in a very particular historical period, that of the Republic of Weimar. The 1919th Germany could not have been pictured in a better way. Nosferatu is one of the most repellent monster I've never seen. Tod Browning's Dracula is much more nice... Of course! Isn't it?  Nosferatu is the unconscious of the european people which acquires the forms of a creature disfigured by its evil will."

From:  "Bill Y."

"One of the very best B/W movies of all time. I understand that it was re-released with a few different music soundtracks. The version I viewed had the most haunting or was it dreamy? piano solo. The use of negative images and fast motion make it one of the more surreal and mystical movies ever made. It is completely miraculous that all copies were not destroyed due to Frau Stoker's legal maneuvering and future generations can see this genius work."

From:  "?"

"Truly a cinematic masterpiece! Perhaps the most frightening and forboding image to date of the undead. Murnau's Count Orlok is mesmerizing, replusive and terrifying. I too was introduced at a very tender age to a screening of Nosferatu on PBS one late night in October in the early 70's. The image of Orlok's taloned shadow on the wall climbing the stairs terrified - and hooked me - to adulthood. Max Schrek's portrayal of the rodent-like Orlok was pure genius. Despite the archaic makeup and lighting techniques of the day, his characterization still ranks highly amongst todays high-tech ghouls. Truly and must-see, must-own!"

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