Nosferatu (DVD)

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 ...
...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 ...

fairy_kitty 12.06.2002 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Nosferatu (DVD)

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 ...

Spongly 02.02.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Nosferatu (DVD)

... 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 ...

one47 12.08.2002 (13.08.2002) · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Nosferatu (DVD)

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. ...

TheNeil 21.12.2000 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Nosferatu (DVD)

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, ...

jbsabbath 17.01.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Nosferatu (DVD)

...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. ...

kenigma 20.02.2001 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Nosferatu (DVD)