Nosferatu

(1922)
Directed by: F.W. Marneu
Cast:

Max Scheck - Count Dracula
Alexander Granach - Renfeild
Gustav van Wangenheim - Jonathan Harker
Greta Schroeder - Nina

I must say that this is the first silent film I’ve seen since I watched a Charlie Chaplin picture years ago. Seeing modern movies you are used to seeing rapid action and music that reflects the picture (the music that came with my DVD obviously wasn’t chosen very well, being ‘happy’ when the most evil Nosferatu was about to suck some serious blood, and dark and menacing when it didn’t need to be). Not having seen many silent films of this period I cannot say how it rated among them. Seeing it however gives one a good idea of the early years of film.

I’ve noticed several things in particular (besides the obvious lack of sound) that differentiate this from modern films. First there are very few cuts to close ups. Most of the action is portrayed as you would see it on a stage. Secondly, instead of cutting away long parts such as a stagecoach going down a hill, they will speed it up. This gives it a very comical effect, especially when people are involved. Third, the acting is all very theatrical, with extended gesturing and wildly expressive facial expressions. But you must remember that these actors where probably used to performing in front of a stage where the audience didn’t have the luxury of getting close-ups of their face and therefore had to use body language much more.

Now, down to the story itself. Nosferatu is based upon Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The count in this particular version is less “human” looking than I have seen any other Count Dracula. He seems to be more of a gigantic deformed elf than a human. The makeup is very good which makes him all the more menacing. Jonathan Harker is the young naïve agent hoping that travels to Dracula’s castle to help him secure land in Bremen (the town Dracula wants to live in). Dracula’s journey to Bremen aboard a ship is wrought with disaster as mice that are carried with have some sort of plague. The crewmembers die one by one either by the plague or the Count himself I surmise. At the end of the voyage there are none left. Jonathan Harker returns soon after to find a his wife Nina distraught. She was plagued by nightmares the whole time he was away and at time seems to be possessed. Somehow Nosferatu has made a connection with her through Jonathan. Soon the plague spreads through the streets of Bremen killing many villagers. Nina equates the plague with the evil Nosferatu who has coincidentally become neighbors across the street (he has a nice view into her bedroom by the way). After reading “the book of vampires” she becomes convinced that she can save the city by spending a night with the vampire.
Nosferatu comes to pay a not-so-neighborly visit to Nina after her husband fetches help. The count stays with her until morning and then, probably forgetting the time, can’t leave to the safety of his coffin before the sun comes up and obliterates him.
Despite its age there is no denying it as a trend setter for all Dracula movies to come. There is the usually biting in the bed scene & the marks on the neck. All it is missing are a few bats…

Seeing Nosferatu only makes me want to see other Dracula movies and compare them. But first I think its best to read the good old book by Mr. Stoker.

2 1/2 stars