Shadow of the Vampire (2000)

The filming of Nosferatu (1922) is hampered by the fact that its star Max Schreck is taking the role of a vampire far more seriously than seems humanly possible.

Director:

E. Elias Merhige

Writer:

Steven Katz

Stars:

John Malkovich, Willem Dafoe, Udo Kier

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Malkovich	...	Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau
Willem Dafoe	...	Max Schreck
Udo Kier	...	Albin Grau
Cary Elwes	...	Fritz Arno Wagner
Catherine McCormack	...	Greta Schröder
Eddie Izzard	...	Gustav von Wangenheim
Aden Gillett	...	Henrik Galeen
Nicholas Elliott	...	Paul (as Nicholas Elliot)
Ronan Vibert	...	Wolfgang Müller
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

Storyline

Shadow of the Vampire is a film about the making of a German all time classic silent horror-movie from 1922 called Nosferatu-Eine Symphonie des Grauens (Nosferatu-a Symphony of Horror). The production of Nosferatu had to deal with a lot of strange things (some crew members disappeared, some died). This movie focuses on the difficult relationship between Murnau, the director, and Schreck, the lead actor.

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Plot Keywords:

vampire | nosferatu | actor | costume horror | film actress | 

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Taglines:

An Unspeakable Horror. A Creative Genius. Captured For Eternity.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality, drug content, violence and language

Details

Country:

UK USA Luxembourg

Language:

English German Luxembourgish

Release Date:

26 January 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Burned to Light

Filming Locations:

Delux Productions, Contern, Luxembourg

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$150,171, 1 January 2001, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$8,293,784

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,155,214

Company Credits

Production Co:

Saturn Films, Long Shot Pictures, BBC Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the tracks used is from the Prelude, Tristan and Isolde by Richard Wagner.

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Goofs

There is a reflection of Count Orlock's head in the mirror moments after a big deal was made about the fact that he cast no reflection in the same mirror (although this is possibly a deliberate nod to Nosferatu in which a similar error was made).

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Quotes

F.W. Murnau: Ladies and gentlemen, this is Max Schreck, who will be portraying our vampire, Count Orlock. As you no doubt have heard, Max's methods are somewhat... unconventional, but... I am sure you will come to respect his artistry in this matter.

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Crazy Credits

The Steamer, a revolutionary machine designed and built to cure the foam prosthetics rapidly due to the very limited production constraints. A world first in foam latex curing within the film industry.

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Connections

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

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Soundtracks

The Flying Dutchman Overture
Written by Richard Wagner
Courtesy of KPM Music Limited

User Reviews

Willem Dafoe is Magnificent!

A fictionalized account of the making of the classic vampire film Nosferatu, directed by F. W. Murnau, 'Shadow of the Vampire' is an interesting yet creepy film, but above all, its Willem Dafoe Magnificent Performance as Max Schreck, that makes this film unmissable!

'Shadow of the Vampire' Synopsis: 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' is a fictionalized account, so you shouldn't take this one too seriously. This Horror film, is creepy, atmospheric & yet funny. The Entire Story, The Entire Execution, in fact, is very convincing, even though, it won't work for the faint-hearted.

Steven Katz's Screenplay is superb. It's scary, creepy, atmospheric, funny & VERY innovative. E. Elias Merhige's Direction is as Eerie as it gets! Cinematography by Lou Bogue is fabulous. Editing by Royinba Onijala is crisp. Music by Dan Jones is good. Make-Up is Marvelous.

Performance-Wise: Willem Dafoe is Truly Magnificent, in an Oscar-Nominated Performance! His performance as Max Schreck, who plays Count Orlok/Count Dracula, is an astonishing embodiment, that's an Actor-Study. This is a Performance that deserves to be viewed by each & every actor! John Malkovich as Frederich Wilhelm Murnau, is competent. Udo Kier as Albin Grau, is first-rate. Udo Kier as Albin Grau, is impressive. Catherine McCormack as Greta Schroeder, is worth a mention.

On the whole, 'Shadow of the Vampire' is an interesting film, but Willem Dafoe's Performance is its greatest merit.