There is something inherently eerie, otherworldly, about silent pictures. Whatever the merit of the film itself, the faint flickering of the frames (however good the restoration), the grain, the occasionally over-theatrical performances (I'm generalising horribly here, I know. There is nothing ... Read review
In the little village of Holstenwall on the Dutch border, fairground hypnotist Dr Caligari ... more
put on show a somnambulist called Cesare who has been asleep for twenty-three years. At night, dressed in a black body-stocking and with a ghostly white face, he...
In the little village of Holstenwall on the Dutch border fairground hypnotist Dr Caligari ... more
put on show a somnambulist called Cesare who has been asleep for twenty-three years. At night dressed in a black body-stocking and with a ghostly white face he...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
A milestone of the silent film era and one of the first "art films" to gain international ... more
acclaim, this eerie German classic from 1919 remains the most prominent example of German expressionism in the emerging art of the cinema. Stylistically, the look of the film's painted sets--distorted perspectives, sharp angles, twisted architecture--was designed to reflect (or express) the splintered psychology of its title character, a sinister figure who uses a lanky somnambulist (Conrad Veidt) as a circus attraction. But when Caligari and his sleepwalker are suspected of murder, their novelty act is surrounded by more supernatural implications. With its mad-doctor scenario, striking visuals, and a haunting, zombie-like character at its centre,Caligariwas one of the first horror films to reach an international audience, sending shock waves through artistic circles and serving as a strong influence on the classic horror films of the 1920s, 30s, and beyond. It's a museum piece today, of interest more for its historical importance, butThe Cabinet of Dr Caligaristill casts a considerable spell. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
A milestone of the silent film era and one of the first "art films" to gain international ... more
acclaim, this eerie German classic from 1919 remains the most prominent example of German expressionism in the emerging art of the cinema. Stylistically, the look of the film's painted sets--distorted perspectives, sharp angles, twisted architecture--was designed to reflect (or express) the splintered psychology of its title character, a sinister figure who uses a lanky somnambulist (Conrad Veidt) as a circus attraction. But when Caligari and his sleepwalker are suspected of murder, their novelty act is surrounded by more supernatural implications. With its mad-doctor scenario, striking visuals, and a haunting, zombie-like character at its centre,Caligariwas one of the first horror films to reach an international audience, sending shock waves through artistic circles and serving as a strong influence on the classic horror films of the 1920s, 30s, and beyond. It's a museum piece today, of interest more for its historical importance, butThe Cabinet of Dr Caligaristill casts a considerable spell. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Production Year: 1998 - Horror - Director: Stephen Norrington - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, N'Bushe Wright, Donal Logue, Udo Keir, Traci Lords, Udo Kier
Production Year: 2000 - Horror - Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Carmen Electra, Anna Faris, Kurt Fuller, James Van Der Beek, Keenen Ivory Wayans
Advantages: One of those "greatest film ever" regulars, and with good reason. Disadvantages: None.
There is something inherently eerie, otherworldly, about silent pictures. Whatever the merit of the film itself, the faint flickering of the frames (however good the restoration), the grain, the occasionally over-theatrical performances (I'm generalising horribly here, I know. There is nothing theatrical about many of the performances in, for example, Benjamin Christensen's masterpiece Haxan), even the nature of the musical soundtrack, disembodied ... .../>
Eerie, yes.
And how much more so when these elements are wrapped around a picture already reeking of the uncanny? A picture, perhaps, like Robert Weine's 1919 The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari.
The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari is a masterpiece. Routinely propping up the top end of Best Films Ever Made lists, it is a nightmare plucked from the mind of a madman, held aloft that we might gaze with hands over mouths and eyes ... more
There is something inherently eerie, otherworldly, about silent pictures. Whatever the merit of the film itself, the faint flickering of the frames (however good the restoration), the grain, the occasionally over-theatrical performances (I'm generalising horribly here, I know. There is nothing theatrical about many of the performances in, for example, Benjamin Christensen's masterpiece Haxan), even the nature of the musical soundtrack, disembodied and carrying on with little synchronisation with movements, actions onscreen...
Eerie, yes.
And how much more so when these elements are wrapped around a picture already reeking of the uncanny? A picture, perhaps, like Robert Weine's 1919 The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari.
The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari is a masterpiece. Routinely propping up the top end of Best Films Ever Made lists, it is a nightmare plucked from the mind of a madman, held aloft that we might gaze with hands over mouths and eyes wide at the intricacies of its grotesquery, at its warped angles, its jagged shadows, its nuances all alive with menace.
The plot, told in flashback (following a seriously unsettling opening sequence), concerns the appearance in a small town of the mysterious Dr Caligari, a man touring the fun-fairs of the country with a particularly curious exhibit - a somnambulist, a man who is, basically, a zombie, forever asleep, stirring only occasionally at the doctor's command to make this or that doom-laden prophecy.
One such prophecy is directed at a young man attending the fair, who is told he will be dead before the dawn (the "Dead by dawn! Dead by dawn!" crowing of the crone in Evil Dead 2 is perhaps a nod to this...). Sure enough, he is murdered, and his best friend, Francis, sets out to uncover the truth, a quest that inevitably leads him to Caligari.
Volumes upon volumes have been written about Caligari over the years. It is the one example of German Expressionist filmmaking that even non-cinephilles might be aware of (although Murnau's Nosferatu might be up there also). It has been scrutinised for either (depending on the author) its proto-fascist or anti-authoritarian elements. It's influence hangs over every single development in horror cinema thereafter. More so than James Whale, than Todd Browning, Robert Weine wrote the rulebook for screen horror, and we've been pouring over it ever since.
Whether or not it works for you depends upon your tolerance for silent cinema, which I understand not everyone is all too keen on. But if you ARE up for some truly unsettling sights of an hour (most DVD versions clock in at around the 60 minute mark), this is absolutely a must-see.
Owing to the public domain nature of the film, a slew of DVD's are available, most of them for ridiculously cheap prices. Be careful, though. Especially with silent films, it's often best to opt for the slightly more expensive version - the remastering process makes all the difference. My advice? Head for Eureka's version, which has a brief selection of strong extras and can be picked up for 9 quid on Amazon at the moment.
Advantages: Very interesting Disadvantages: No sound
"The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari", one of the great classics from the Weimar Republic, was directed in 1919 by Robert Wiene. Set in the small German town of Holstenwall, the story is narrated by one of the main characters, the student Francis (Friedrich Feher). The film begins with Francis telling an old man the story of the horrible ordeal which happened to him, which the film then goes on to portray.
The fair has come to the small town of Holstenwall ... ...Jane (Lil Dagover)persuades him to go. There they go and see the exhibit of Dr.Caligari (Werner Kraus), a creepy hunched over old man. His exhibit is Cesare (Conrad Veidt), a 23 year old somnambulist who has spent every year of his life asleep. However, Dr.Caligari, his master awakens him for the audience to ask him questions (he apparently knows the answer to everything!) Alan asks how long he will live and is horrified when Cesare replies that ...
becks22 15.02.2006 (15.03.2006)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Das Cabinet Des Dr Caligari (Silent) (DVD)
A classic horror tale, of fairground hypnotist, Dr Caligari and his somnambulist exhibit, Cesare, who can predict the future...
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT; SONY DADC
Release date
18/09/2000
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
EKA 40022
Barcode
5060000404227
Screenwriter
Carl Mayer
Technical information
Special Features
Chapter Index, Commentary, Musical Score, Photos, A Tale Of A Vampire Featurette
Aspect Ratio
Full Screen
DVD Description
DAS CABINET DES DR. CALIGARI (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) is a German Expressionist classic. In the little village of Holstenwall, fairground hypnotist Dr. Caligari (Werner Krauss) displays a somnambulist (sleep-walker) named Cesare (Conrad Veidt), who has been asleep for 23 years. At night, the darkly garbed, pale-faced Cesare moves through the town, secretly murdering people on the doctor's orders. Soon Francis (Friedrich Feher), a young student, develops suspicions about Caligari after a friend is found dead.
Compare Das Cabinet Des Dr Caligari (Silent) (DVD) to other similar Horror »
Similar products and search queries by other users »
Das DVD, Das Cabinet DVD, Das Des DVD, Das Dr DVD, Das Caligari DVD, Das Silent DVD, Das Cabinet Des DVD, Das Cabinet Dr DVD, Das Cabinet Caligari DVD, Das Cabinet Silent DVD, Das Des Dr DVD, Das Des Caligari DVD, Das Des Silent DVD, Das Dr Caligari DVD, Das Dr Silent DVD
Are you the manufacturer / provider of Das Cabinet Des Dr Caligari (Silent) (DVD)? Click here
![Das Cabinet Des Dr Caligari [1919] Dvd | Twardowski](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/106098080.jpg "Das Cabinet Des Dr Caligari [1919] Dvd | Twardowski")
![Das Cabinet Des Dr Caligari [1919] [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/77993676.jpg "Das Cabinet Des Dr Caligari [1919] [DVD]")
