Nosferatu (1922)

Vampire Count Orlok expresses interest in a new residence and real estate agent Hutter's wife.

Director:

F.W. Murnau

Writers:

Henrik Galeen (screen play), Bram Stoker (based on the novel: "Dracula")

Stars:

Max Schreck, Alexander Granach, Gustav von Wangenheim

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Max Schreck	...	Graf Orlok
Gustav von Wangenheim	...	Hutter (as Gustav v. Wangenheim)
Greta Schröder	...	Ellen - seine Frau (as Greta Schroeder)
Georg H. Schnell	...	Harding - ein Reeder (as G.H. Schnell)
Ruth Landshoff	...	Ruth - seine Schwester
Gustav Botz	...	Professor Sievers - der Stadtarzt
Alexander Granach	...	Knock - ein Häusermakler
John Gottowt	...	Professor Bulwer - ein Paracelsianer
Max Nemetz	...	Ein Kapitän
Wolfgang Heinz	...	1. Matrose
Albert Venohr	...	2. Matrose
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 an 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, ...

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Plot Keywords:

vampire | self sacrifice | expressionism | gothic | bite mark | 

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Taglines:

A thrilling mystery masterpiece - a chilling psycho-drama of blood-lust.

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

3 June 1929 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nosferatu

Filming Locations:

Orava Castle, Oravsky Podzámok, Slovakia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jofa-Atelier Berlin-Johannisthal, Prana-Film GmbH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min 65 min (video) 92 min (DVD) 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

All known prints and negatives were destroyed under the terms of settlement of a lawsuit by Bram Stoker's widow. However, the film would subsequently surface in other countries.

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Goofs

When Nosferatu emerges from the ship's hull, the wooden "hatch/door" is not attached to anything. Moments later, a large arm hinge is suddenly attached to the right side.

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Quotes

Book: Of Vampires: Beware that his shadow doth not burden your dreams with horrible fears.

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Alternate Versions

In 1993 Jeff Forrester / USA Networks produced NEW copyrighted versions of mainstream silent films w/ EXCLUSIVE scores & NEW inter-titles. All but one were in black & white. There were 7 in total. They were aired on the SYFY (SCI-FI) Channel during the Christmas holiday in 1993 as part of SCI-FI Channel's Silent Cinema Marathon. It was hosted by renowned film critic Jeffrey Lyons & was taped @ the AMERICAN MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE in Astoria, NY. These particular versions have NEVER been available in ANY home video format. Their whereabouts are currently unknown. They were distributed by JORDEXX TELEVISION, INC.

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Connections

Referenced in The Telling (2009)

User Reviews

superb silent Dracula

For copyright reasons, Bram Stoker's novel was filmed with the names of the characters changed (Orlok for Dracula, for example) but otherwise the story remains the same: a young man goes on a trip to see a mysterious count in order to sell a house, leaving his bride behind, and finds that the creature he meets is not of this world.

As the extremely creepy Orlok, Max Schreck is brilliant, with his long fingernails and gaunt appearance. A triumph in early cinematic make-up. Gustav von Wangenheim portrays the confusion of the victim well, as does Greta Schroder as his wife. FW Murnau directed the film with flair, showing us not only shadowed vistas and abandoned castles, but the nature outside (foxes) and miniature worlds evolving under a microscope. This film sits well with his later 'Sunrise' in showing the effect of outside forces on a young couple, as well as being one of the key early horrors in its portrayal of Stoker's anti-hero.

This version of the Dracula tale remains one of the best, although all have some different perspective on the novel. On the strength of 'Nosferatu' alone, Murnau deserves his place as a true innovator of silent cinema.