IMDb > Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
Shadow of the Vampire
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Shadow of the Vampire (2000) More at IMDbPro »

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Shadow of the Vampire (2000) -- The filming of Nosferatu is hampered by the fact that the star is taking his role far more seriously than what seems humanly possible.
Shadow of the Vampire (2000) -- The filming of Nosferatu is hampered by the fact that the star is taking his role far more seriously than what seems humanly possible.
Shadow of the Vampire (2000) -- The filming of Nosferatu is hampered by the fact that the star is taking his role far more seriously than what seems humanly possible.
Shadow of the Vampire (2000) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
Shadow of the Vampire (2000) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   16,947 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 35% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
E. Elias Merhige
Writer:
Steven Katz (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Shadow of the Vampire on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 January 2001 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Horror more
Tagline:
An Unspeakable Horror. A Creative Genius. Captured For Eternity.
Plot:
The filming of Nosferatu is hampered by the fact that the star is taking his role far more seriously than what seems humanly possible. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 15 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(17 articles)
Bah, Humbug. It's Too Early For 'A Christmas Carol'!
 (From Cinematical. 3 November 2009, 9:45 AM, PST)

Sunday Morning Movie Jumble: October 25, 2009
 (From Rope Of Silicon. 25 October 2009, 3:17 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Well made – the `who is the real monster' thing works really well more (310 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

John Malkovich ... Murnau

Willem Dafoe ... Schreck

Udo Kier ... Grau

Cary Elwes ... Wagner

Catherine McCormack ... Greta

Eddie Izzard ... Gustav
Aden Gillett ... Galeen
Nicholas Elliott ... Paul (as Nicholas Elliot)

Ronan Vibert ... Muller
Sophie Langevin ... Elke
Myriam Muller ... Maria

Milos Hlavac ... Innkeeper (as Milos Hlavak)
Marja-Leena Junker ... Innkeeper's Wife

Derek Kueter ... Reporter 1
Norman Golightly ... Reporter 2
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Burned to Light (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for some sexuality, drug content, violence and language.
Runtime:
92 min
Country:
UK | USA | Luxembourg
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
SDDS | Dolby Digital
Company:
Saturn Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Based in part upon a legend that Max Schreck was in reality a vampire which is why he played the role of Orlock/Dracula so well. Some variations of the legend suggest that Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922) was the only film Schreck made, though in reality he was already a stage and screen veteran by the time Nosferatu was shot, and would appear in many non-Vampiric roles before his death in 1936. more
Goofs:
Continuity: In the final scene the pillows on the bed are piled up, yet when the actress goes to lay down on the bed, they need to be piled up again. more
Quotes:
F.W. Murnau: Why him, you monster? Why not the... script girl?
Max Schreck: Oh. The script girl. I'll eat her later.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Eisai to tairi mou: (#1.2)" (2001) more
Soundtrack:
Tristan Und Isolde - Overture more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
11 out of 15 people found the following comment useful.
Well made – the `who is the real monster' thing works really well, 27 May 2002
Author: bob the moo from Birmingham, UK

In 1922 filming of Murnau's movie `Nosferatu' has begun. Murnau has recruited the mysterious Max Shreck to play the lead role. Crew fall ill and Shreck never appears out of character or during the day. Fellow actor Gustav believes Shreck is an intense method actor – however Shreck is a real vampire and has agreed to star in the film in exchange for the neck of the leading lady when filming finishes. However Shreck's lust for blood continues to grow throughout the shoot.

This is an inventive film that looks at how far art will go to create. The director Murnau seems as driven by the creative process as Shreck is by his lust for blood. This comparison is carried through the whole film until the inevitable showdown between the two drives. The setup itself is fascinating but the comparison between the two men makes it even better.

The film is well shot and uses the different cameras well. It looks really good and mixes bright shots with shadowy darkness really well. It also benefits from a good cast. Malkovich is excellent as the driven director who easily becomes a monster himself but Dafoe is even better. Despite being almost unrecognisable under the make up, Dafoe manages to bring humanity to his monster – he also brings some humour without making his a comedy role. Elwes is underused, but Izzard is great as a bad 1920's actor!

Overall this may not inspire interest in everyone but it has a great cast and a good central story. The comparisons drawn between Murnau and Shreck only improve what is already a very enjoyable film.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Am I the Only One Who Didn't Like John Malkovich In This? moviefreak144
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