Another Classic I Haven't Seen Yet #11 - Nosferatu (1922)
 | |
|
I guess I’m in spooky mode. This is only the second silent German film I’ve seen (Metropolis the other), but there is something about pre-war German cinema…the critics aren’t just blowing smoke.
If you didn’t already know that this movie was supposed to be an adaption of Dracula, but couldn’t due to rights issues, you’d easily be able to say this movie borrowed from or was inspired by the book. That was both to it’s credit and it’s a detriment.
But like Metropolis, it isn’t about the core story, but how it’s told. Metropolis is a retelling of the Tower of Babel, but with androids and a ‘living city’…Nosferatu was a retelling of Dracula, but with actual murder, and a pretty cool twist on the end IMO.
And both movies are beyond innovative for the time. I’m in awe knowing that in 1922, the ability to superimpose and wipe other film to create the materialization effects existed. And the camera work is second to none. Everyone knows the famous image of Orlok’s shadow slowly looming larger over Ellen’s door until it opened it, and let me tell you, that was probably the second scariest scene besides when the sick sailor witnesses Orlok materializing into thin air!
Comments
Post a Comment