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This set has two versions of the film, the aforementioned original black and white version and a "sepia" version that has an audio commentary by a "Nosferatu" historian who's name escapes me at the moment.Also, there is some footage of images of original sketches,artwork and postcards, ... Read review
Nosferatu [DVD] [1922]
"Nosferatu ... the name alone can chill the blood!". F.W. Murnau'sNosferatu, released in ... more
1922, was the first (albeit unofficial) screen adaptation of Bram Stoker'sDracula. Nearly 80 years on, it remains among the most potent and disturbing horror films ever made. The sight of Max Schreck's hollow-eyed, cadaverous vampire rising creakily from his coffin still has the ability to chill the blood. Nor has the film dated. Murnau's elision of sex and disease lends it a surprisingly contemporary resonance. The director and his screenwriter Henrik Gaalen are true to the source material, but where most subsequent screen Draculas (whether Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Frank Langella or Gary Oldman) were portrayed as cultured and aristocratic, Nosferatu is verminous and evil. (Whenever he appears, rats follow in his wake.)The film's full title--Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens(Nosferatu, A Symphony of Horror)--reveals something of Murnau's intentions. Supremely stylised, it differs from Robert Wiene'sThe Cabinet of Dr Caligari(1919) or Ernst Lubitsch's films of the period in that it was not shot entirely in the studio. Murnau went out on location in his native Westphalia. As a counterpoint to the nightmarish world inhabited by Nosferatu, he used imagery of hills, clouds, trees and mountains (it is, after all, sunlight that destroys the vampire). It's not hard to spot the similarity between the gangsters infilm noirhugging doorways or creeping up staircases with the image of Schreck's diabolic Nosferatu, bathed in shadow, sidling his way toward a new victim. Heavy chiaroscuro, oblique camera angles and jarring close-ups--the devices that crank up the tension in Val Lewton horror movies and edgy, urban thrillers such asDouble IndemnityandThe Postman Always Rings Twice--were all to be found first in Murnau's chilling masterpiece. --Geoffrey Macnab
Nosferatu [1922] [DVD]
Made in 1922, FW Murnau's Expressionist masterpieceNosferatu--A Symphony of Horrorsis an ... more
unofficial but reasonably faithful condensation of parts of Bram Stoker's novelDracula. AlongsideMetropolis(1926) it is one of the very few European features from the 1920s that is still regularly shown, and apart from being the first great horror film it laid the foundations of the vampire genre to the present day. Wearing astonishing rodent-like make-up Max Schreck cuts such an iconic figure as the undead Count that the 2001 comedy-horrorShadow of the Vampiresuggested he wasn't acting at all! Although Murnau's film was revolutionary and technically adventurous for the time, a modern audience will have to make some allowances for the fact the movie now seems both dated and technically primitive: Murnau's stylised lighting and camera effects have been endlessly imitated and improved upon since, and even its greatest defenders generally admit the film barely raises a shudder, let alone a full-blooded scare. Nevertheless,Nosferatuholds a strange dreamlike grip on the imagination and its incalculable influence on fantasy and horror cinema means this is essential viewing for anyone seriously interested in the development of motion picture art.On the DVD:Presented in Academy at 1.37:1 and with James Bernard's new orchestral score in well-recorded stereoNosferatulooks and sounds as good as it has in decades. Bernard, composer of Hammer'sDracula(1958) among others, has written a superior score that captures the film's subtitle, "A Symphony of Horrors", and truly brings the images alive in a way previous scores have not. This restored version presents for the first time on video or DVD the blue and brown tints of the original cinema prints and replicates the original hand-designed inter-title cards which with their distinctive designs make the film much more of a compete visual experience. More importantly, this DVD offers approximately another quarter of an hour of material over the usually distributed American version. However, the restoration has not extended to repairing the many lines, scratches, variations in brilliance and other evidence of print damage present throughout. The film is perfectly watchable, being very much what one would expect from the early 1920s. There are text biographies and notes on Murnau and James Bernard, DVD-ROM material on the restoration of the print and a perceptive 23-minute discussion by film expert Christopher Frayling on many aspects of the movie. --Gary S Dalkin
A review by fairy_kitty on Nosferatu (DVD) June 12th, 2002
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Outstanding
Characters / Performances
Outstanding
Special Effects
Outstanding
How does it compare to similar films?
Outstanding
Advantages:
-
Disadvantages:
-
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
In 1922 Friedrich Wilheim Murnau decided he wanted to turn into a movie one of the greatest books of all time, "Bram Stoker's Dracula".
When he was refused the rights by the "Stoker" estate, he decided to do it anyway. But to avoid being sued, first he made some changes to the names of the characters. The most obvious being Count Dracula,who was now to be known as Count Graf Orlok. The setting of Transylvania was changed to Bremen and a few other changes occured.
After the films completion, he immediately declared himself bankrupt. Although this did not stop the "Stoker Estate" who after a court ruled it so, had all copies of the film burnt. But, luckily, one copy was never destroyed and on this double dvd set, we have it, fully digitally remastered.
Although the picture is never 100% perfect, it's in surprisingly good condition. The story is basically the "Dracula" story but with a few name changes. But it's the way the lighting is used to such marvelous effect that make this silent black and white movie so atmospherically creepy. If ever there was a classic, this is it and probably the greatest vampire/Dracula story ever committed to the silver screen.
This set has two versions of the film, the aforementioned original black and white version and a "sepia" version that has an audio commentary by a "Nosferatu" historian who's name escapes me at the moment.Also, there is some footage of images of original sketches,artwork and postcards, a written piece of the origins of vampires and Nosferatu's controversy. Add to that a making of documentary and footage of where the film was filmed as it looks today, what more can you ask for? How about a trailer for "Shadow of the Vampire" and a booklet about both these films. The disc set is obviously a "cash in" on the part fact, part fiction "Shadow of the Vampire" which was released at cinema's the same time, but this does not take away the fact that this film was way ahead of it's time and will go down in the annals of history as a true classic, rightly so.
By the way, as a paradox, this movie caused the book "Bram Stoker's Dracula" to be recognised as the masterpiece it is by bringing it all the attention it deserves, even though the "Stoker Estate" ordered the destruction of all copies of the film.
What are you waiting for? If you have not yet seen this, go see it now! You are missing out on a classic!
Advantages: Very creepy Disadvantages: Old silent film - can be hard for modern viewers to hold their interest.
I will first admit that I watched this film purely because it is a classic of the genre - I wasn’t actually expecting the film to be any good. I certainly wasn’t expecting to be scared. All of these expectations just made the actual experience of watching the film much better.
Made in 1922 this is essentially the story of Bram Stoker’s Dracula moved to Germany, filmed by the genius FW Murnau, one of the great film directors. The ... ...estate agent travels to an out of the way location in order to business with a mysterious nobleman, Count Dracula, in the book, Graf Orlock in this version. There he sells the Count property in a large city, Bremen in this case. But while staying at the castle he discovers the awful truth - that the Graf is a vampire, who plans to move to fresh pastures where his evil is unknown. He is imprisoned in the castle as the Graf leaves, but escapes and ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Gripping, a true piece of film history Disadvantages: Slower than modern films.
... like a hole in the head! Film and video opinions are not my forte, so be kind ;-)
The film
~~~~~~~~
Based (as are most modern vampire films) on Bram Stoker's Dracula, this is a classic vampire movie. What you might not realise is quite how much of a classic it is! How does 1922 sound? No, NOT 1992, 1922, eighty years ago! This of course places it squarely in the category of "Silent" and "Black and White".
The age old tale of a sleepy hamlet, ... ...looking to buy a new property. Our hero leaves his wife behind to travel to the count's castle to make the sale of the deserted house over the road from his own home (Generally not a good move when dealing with vampires)
The count sees a photo of our heroine (the wife) and immediaty packs-up to take residence in his new property, coffins and all. Plague follows in his footsteps as our hero chases him back home...
The count is of course finally ...
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Advantages: Historically important Disadvantages: Silent move. Dated
One of the first filmings of the Stoker novel is so old that we're still in silent movie territory. As with all silent movies we're faced with the same old 'nuances' (I won't say problems but...) - slow pace and grand overracting. Actually things aren't that bad but we're still faced with almost pantomime performances rather than subtle emoting. Is this a problem? Well at the times it probably wasn't but now it does look very 'theatrical' rather ... ...takes most of the elements of the Stoker novel and handles them fairly well (although in a limited jerky kind of way). Max Schreck brings the undead to life and he does a fairly good job, even from underneath his OTT makeup and costume. The rest of the cast work well enough but don't make too big an impression.
It's dated and any horror aspect of it has long since died but cinema hostorians and Dracula afficianados may find some nuggets in it.
...
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Advantages: Greatest vampire ever Disadvantages: Some may not like silent films, but this just adds to the creepiness
Although 'Nosferatu' had a rocky start in the production, Murnau's adaptation of the 'Dracula' novel by Bram Stoker is probably the best version ever created. As it was an unauthorized production of the book, FW Murnau changed the names of the characters in order to make it legal.
Count Orlock decides to move from his ruined castle to Wisborg. Estate agent Jonathan Harker is sent to seal the deal, but his meeting with the vampire terrifies him. ... ...when Harker accidentally cuts himself with a knife. In a brief but story driven moment, Orlock sees a picture of Harker's wife and instantly falls in love (if love is what you can call it), fuelling his decision to leave at once.
Max Schreck plays Count Orlock, the vampire, to a degree that he is truly terrifying. Just watching his shadows move, or lift up in his coffin is beyond belief. Even though this was the first silent film that I ever saw, ...
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Advantages: Amazing cinematography for its time Disadvantages: none
...is amazing looking back at Nosferatu to see exactly how good the film is. Made in 1922 and directed by F.W. Murnau and starring Max Schreck, it tells the tale of Count Orloc. The film is (obviously) black and white, and silent, but despite that it manages to send shivers down many a person's spine.
There is wonderful use of light and shadows, and the jerky black and white film is perfect for the setting.
It is generally acknowledged that this was ... ...never any legal action as it was a German production with names changed.
The great difference lies in the portrayal of the vampire Nosferatu. He is pale, wizened and has pointed claws and a pointed nose and bears more resemblance to a zombie or wraith than to the elegant Dracula was meant to be.
You cannot describe this film as a classic, more the original blueprint for films of the horror genre to follow. A must see for anyone. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Chilling horror movie, good lighting effects/ Disadvantages: slow to start with, some unfitting soundtrack
...A chilling horror based on the classic novel by Bram Stoker, Nosferatu is a must see horror flick. Very unknown and underrated this film was made in 1922 starring famous German actor Max Schreck as the repugnant Nosferatu.
The DVD itself is beautifully restored to crisp quality and the soundtrack is done much the same justice. The lack of extra features is understandable as they probably didnt think about this in 1922! I wouldnt say the film was deathly scary, but on the other hand the tale is a chilling one and is a must see for any horror fan, as it has one of the most famous scenes in horror history - the famous scene where Nosferatu (Max) climbs the stairs to his victims chamber. Using a silent wind up camera, the shot is taken within an eerie dark circle, lit only by the few candles in the castle.
Written around the same...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: The original and the best Disadvantages: Not for those who dislike silent movies
...This is a review for the DVD of the 1922 film Nosferatu, staring Max Schrek as the terrifying Graf Orlock.
The story starts when an estate agent travels over a mountain range to conduct business with a wealthy eccentric nobleman (Orlock), his wife pleads with him not to go as she senses danger, men being men never listen and off he goes on his not so merry way, staight into the path of a vampire! (Will they ever learn, it's horror rule number 3!)
The film is based upon the Bram Stoker character of Dracula, and this got the director into a spot of bother, the Stoker family demanded that the film were to be destroyed, unfortunately this didn't happen in Germany and we can still enjoy this film over 80 years later.
Nosferatu was remade in 1979 and starred Klaus Kinski, although this was also a good film, nothing compares to...
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Advantages: Creepy silence Disadvantages: None, unless you dislike silent movies
...Nosferatu was and still is one of the creepiest horrors of all time. The silence throughout the film adds to the atmosphere in a very unsettling way. Nosferatu was originally meant to be based on Bram Stokers Dracula but was denied the rights making the director change the title and vampires name to Count Orlok. It was banned in Sweden because of its graphic nature at the time but the ban was lifted in 1972. Even though it is dated and considered tame in comparison to the more modern horror movies, it still gives off an eerie, dark and moody unnerving feeling to whoever watches it. Nosferatu is a timeless classic and if you enjoy horror films you can watch this and see how it inspired all those that followed in its footsteps....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
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