Nosferatu (1922)
"Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens" (original title)

Vampire Count Orlok expresses interest in a new residence and real estate agent Hutter's wife. Silent classic based on the story "Dracula."

Director:

F.W. Murnau

Writer:

Henrik Galeen (screen play)

Stars:

Max Schreck, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schröder

Top 250 #241 | See the Top 250 movies as voted by our users.

Cast

Cast overview:
Max Schreck	...	Graf Orlok / Nosferatu
Gustav von Wangenheim	...	Hutter (as Gustav v. Wangenheim)
Greta Schröder	...	Ellen Hutter - seine Frau (as Greta Schroeder)
Alexander Granach	...	Knock - ein Häusermakler
Georg H. Schnell	...	Harding - Hutters Freund (as G.H. Schnell)
Ruth Landshoff	...	Annie - Harding's Frau
John Gottowt	...	Professor Bulwer - ein Paracelsianer
Gustav Botz	...	Professor Sievers - der Stadtarzt
Max Nemetz	...	Kapitän der Demeter
Wolfgang Heinz	...	Zweiter Kapitän
Albert Venohr	...	Matrose 1
Eric van Viele	...	Matrose 2

Storyline

Wisbourg, Germany based estate agent Knock dispatches his associate, Hutter, to Count Orlok's castle in Transylvania as the Count wants to purchase a isolated house in Wisbourg. They plan on selling him the one across the way from Hutter's own home. Hutter leaves his innocent wife, Ellen, with some friends while he is away. Hutter's trek is an unusual one, with many locals not wanting to take him near the castle where strange events have been occurring. Once at the castle, Hutter does manage to sell the Count the house, but he also notices and feels unusual occurrences, primarily feeling like there is a dark shadow hanging over him, even in the daytime when the Count is unusually asleep. Hutter eventually sees the Count's sleeping chamber in a crypt, and based on a book he has recently read, believes the Count is really a vampire or Nosferatu. While Hutter is trapped in the castle, the Count, hiding in a shipment of coffins, makes his way to Wisbourg, causing death along his way, ...

---

Plot Keywords:

nosferatu | castle | vampire | obsession | self sacrifice | 

---

Genres:

Horror

---

Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

3 June 1929 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror

Filming Locations:

Baltic Sea

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jofa-Atelier Berlin-Johannisthal, Prana-Film GmbH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min 65 min (VHS) 92 min (DVD edition) 84 min 88 min (1997 restored) 84 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Gustav von Wangenheim was not director F.W. Murnau's first or even his second choice, but his third one.

---

Goofs

When Hutter is writing his letter to Ellen in Count Orlok's castle, the paper that he is meant to be writing on is clearly blank throughout the scene.

---

Quotes

Knock, ein häusermakler: It will cost you sweat and tears, and perhaps... a little blood.

---

Connections

Featured in Fejezetek a film történetéböl: A német film 1933-ig (1989)

User Reviews

"Is that your wife? What a lovely throat!"

As I'm sure it is the case for many cinema fans, my respect and admiration towards this production widely excels the enjoyment I had while watching it. "Nosferatu" is a milestone from every possible viewpoint and it's one of those very few movies I think everybody should view at least once (although it actually requires repeated viewings…) It is the very first version of Bram Stoker's legendary vampire tale and easily the most copied film in the history of cinema. I'm sure everyone is familiar with the story of young estate agent Jonathan Harker traveling to Transylvania where he acquaintances the eccentric count who feeds on blood and controls the ones he has bitten, but THIS is the original version. Shot by F.W. Murnau (who also made the equally essential titles "Faust" and "Der Januskopf") and made unforgettable by Max Schreck in his performance as the Count. And, even though this film is over 80 years old, Schreck's image is still as nightmarish as it can be. No visual or make-up effect could ever surpass the simple appearance of Max Schreck! The fact that this film is still very powerful therefore almost entirely depends on his unworldly character. "Nosferatu" is beautiful poetry, difficult to watch at times, but very rewarding. The sexual undertones as well as the shock-aspects have surely dated by now, but they're still present, and – as I mentioned before – they only increase my respect for Murnau and his crew. A definite must see, just make sure you're in the right mood.