NOSFERATU

Years ago, back in the '70s, when I was in high school and college, PBS would occasionally run silent movies as part of their programming. Understand, these were not the best quality prints but they were the best (and in some cases) only prints that existed of certain films at the time. This was long before the days of full digital restoration, complete title cards, full orchestral (original or newly composed) accompaniment, etc. In short, it wasn't the best way to see some of these films but at the time it was, for some of us, the only way to see some of the silent classics.

Among the films I saw under these circumstances were Fritz Lang's immortal masterpiece METROPOLIS (1926) (in a vastly truncated form) and F. W. Murnau's groundbreaking Gothic horror film NOSFERATU (1922). Even as bastardized as these films were, they were still powerful viewing experiences at the time.

It would be years later that I would finally have the chance to see these films (and other silents), the way they were originally meant to be seen. I've since seen the fully restored versions of METROPOLIS (and what an awesome spectacle it is!) and NOSFERATU. My buddy Kelly Greene and I had the opportunity to see NOSFERATU on the big screen at the Paramount Theatre several years back. I watched it again last night and it has lost none of its' shocking power as a major and important landmark in the development of the horror film.

Based on Bram Stoker's novel DRACULA, NOSFERATU is an adapted version of the classic tale of Count Dracula (here, Count Orlock), who travels from his home in Transylvania to a small German village, bringing his blood sucking ways with him along with pestilence and plague. Orlock, played by Max Schreck, is a rat faced monster, vermin in human form, totally and completely alien. It's one of the great cinematic depictions of a vampire in film history. There's not a whiff of Bela Lugosi's urbane, continental manners and brooding sensuality. Orlock is no gentleman. He's an unholy fiend that lives to kill. 

Even if the story is familiar, Murnau does a terrific job of orchestrating the action, bringing everything to a feverish conclusion where a beautiful young woman Ellen Hutter (Greta Schroeder), literally sacrifices herself to the vampire in order to save the town. Note: there's a technical goof here as Orlock's reflection is seen in a mirror. According to vampiric lore, the undead do not cast reflections.

However, Orlock is no shape-shifter. He never takes the form of a bat and it's not clear if he is indeed the werewolf (actually a hyena), seen in one shot. Nevertheless, he is truly one of the great monsters of the cinema.

NOSFERATU is a magnificent film, one that absolutely must be seen by horror movie fans and this restored version (with overture, new title cards, full orchestral score, tinted scenes and several Acts) is the one to see.

I've seen hundreds of horror films over the years but this one still has the power to genuinely creep me out. It's that great.

Highest recommendation.