One spoiler in this review.
"We're not so different, you and I..."
When Max Schreck says the above quote to Murnau, he hints at my best interpretation of the success of the vampire, as a character in Western arts. Max Schreck reflects the unconscious desire of the socially disengaged male (vampire), who is useless in society (daylight), and can only plunge the fangs (penis) into an unwilling person. Schreck's attack scenes, and those of Dracula in other films, are stylized rape scenarios.
Continuing the dualism between Vampire and Man (in this case Murnau), it was interesting to note that when Murnau was faced with an uncooperative female, he used a pointed instrument (a hypodermic needle) to placate Greta, in the same fashion as a vampire who renders a resisting victim unconscious with his fangs.
More generally, I absolutely adore this film. Every time I watch it, the eye is drawn to a new and interesting detail in the frame, previously unnoticed. Great performances by all actors, a haunting background score, and a script to top them all makes this film a 10/10.
"We're not so different, you and I..."
When Max Schreck says the above quote to Murnau, he hints at my best interpretation of the success of the vampire, as a character in Western arts. Max Schreck reflects the unconscious desire of the socially disengaged male (vampire), who is useless in society (daylight), and can only plunge the fangs (penis) into an unwilling person. Schreck's attack scenes, and those of Dracula in other films, are stylized rape scenarios.
Continuing the dualism between Vampire and Man (in this case Murnau), it was interesting to note that when Murnau was faced with an uncooperative female, he used a pointed instrument (a hypodermic needle) to placate Greta, in the same fashion as a vampire who renders a resisting victim unconscious with his fangs.
More generally, I absolutely adore this film. Every time I watch it, the eye is drawn to a new and interesting detail in the frame, previously unnoticed. Great performances by all actors, a haunting background score, and a script to top them all makes this film a 10/10.