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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

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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, ... Written by Huggo

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

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Taglines:

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

Genres:

Fantasy | Horror

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Did You Know?

Trivia

There have been different first names for the main characters in different English versions. In a few, Hutter is called "Thomas", in others is "Jonathan". Although Hutter's wife is credited as "Ellen", in some versions she is called "Mina". See more »

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. See more »

Quotes

Title Card: Nosferatu. Does this word not sound like the midnight call of the Bird of Death? Do not utter it, or the images of life will fade - into pale shadows and ghostly dreams will rise from your heart and feed your Blood.
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Alternate Versions

There are a confusing number of different surviving prints, restorations and alternate versions of Nosferatu. In the main, there are three 'complete' restorations and two incomplete, partially-restored versions. All five are available on DVD, while the latest two restorations, from 1995 and 2006, are also on Blu-ray. In addition there are countless low-quality public domain DVDs with different lengths, running speeds and soundtracks. All are derived from a single print held by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). They usually have replacement American intertitles and are always in black and white; the film was originally color tinted throughout and only meant to be seen that way. This comprehensive article explains all of them simply and clearly: Nosferatu: The Ultimate Blu-ray and DVD Guide. See more »

Connections

Referenced in From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series: La Conquista (2014) See more »

User Reviews

One of my two favorites

21 May 1999 | by Patsy-9 – See all my reviews

Quite possibly my own very favourite movie. No vampire film before or since has been either as disturbing or as artful. Less overtly "expressionistic" than some of the other German films of the day, but no less visually impressive. Look at the seascape where Ellen/Nina/Mina pines over her departed husband. Watch those marvelous shadows, which we see in Bremen more often than the vampire itself, used especially effectively in the closing sequence.

And look at Max Schreck himself! While Bram Stoker gave his Count affinity with wolves and bats, Murnau favours that rat, both in that they surround him and that he physically resembles a shaved, cadaverous rat. Spreading his pestilence, Max Schreck is truly the vilest, most loathsome villain in the history of film. The scene where he rises suddenly erect from his coffin aboard ship is one that horror directors everywhere should study very carefully.

Nosferatu is also noteworthy as the origin of the idea that vampires are killed by sunlight, previously present neither in literature nor folklore. In response to the poster who complained that the vampire seems to be walking around in light before his death, these scenes are set at night. In the original versions, there was a blue tint over these scenes to let you tell night from day; it's difficult to tell the difference without them.

My copy is marred with some hilarious inappropriate sound effects (such as a massive "BOING" when the gates of the castle open on their own accord) which I've learned not to hold against the film itself.

Thank God that Florence Stoker did not manage to completely wipe this film of the face of existence.

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