A Symphony of Horrors (Nosferatu (DVD))

Member Name: Frankingsteins

Product:	Nosferatu (DVD)
Date:	23/03/04 (107 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A true classic, Not as dated as it may seem, Some DVDs have amazing quality soundtracks, special features and picture clarity

Disadvantages: Some DVDs are rubbish, Won't appeal to the masses, but I'm going to give it five stars.

Made in 1922, Nosferatu (or to use its full title, Nosferatu: Ein Symphonie des Grauens) is the most effective and chilling vampire film ever made. The antique look of the sepia film cells and the ominous lack of a voice track only adds to the impact of this great movie.

As the first silent movie I saw, and I have seen several since, the age and look of the film even made the domestic scenes at the very start quite unnerving on my first watch. I was constantly reminding myself that everyone I was looking at came from another age and would now certainly be dead. It is important at this stage that you realise I am not some aged movie critic who only appreciates films that are heaped in symbolism; I am an eighteen-year-old slacker who just spent a weekend watching the Back to the Future films with my father.

For vampire enthusiasts or people familiar with any incarnation of Dracula, the story is essentially the same; if it hadn?t been, there would never have been the infamous lawsuit by Bram Stoker's widoe that led to all but one print of the film being destroyed. However, character names are changed, location is moved from London to the more effective Wisborg in Germany, and the story is adapted to suit the silent cinema.

DAS PLOT:

Thomas Hutter works for a rather mad-looking estate agent called Knock, who receives a telegram written in strange symbols. He tells Hutter to pack his bags and visit Count Orlock in the distant Carpathian mountains, to arrange for the wealthy man to purchase a house in their area. Kissing his wife goodbye, Hutter travels 'far away, to the country of thieves and ghosts' and, despite warnings from an innkeeper about travelling any further, the naive and innocent Hutter heads towards a sinister coach driver that takes him
to Orlock's castle...

Holding much novelty value in the modern day, the acting in Nosferatu often seems very over the top, as exaggeration was essential in those times, but the foreboding and terrifying Count Orlock played by Max Schreck (English translation, Max Terror) has remained one of the most powerful and recognisable horror characters in film history. Unlike other German expressionist films, which were largely filmed in a studio with elaborate sets, Nosferatu is primarily filmed outdoors at a number of excellent locations throughout Germany.

TAKE THOU HEED AND BE THOU WARNED - BORING DVD SECTION FOLLOWS:

For fans of the film, buying the right DVD is essential. Not meaning to criticise, although I suppose I am, the budget releases by companies such as Stonevision are the most readily available and cheap, but also result in a very poor film experience. These re-releases of silent films possess awful soundtracks, inconsistencies in brightness and film quality, and are simply black-and-white. Many also miss out a number of scenes, which is criminal for a film of the perfectionist German expressionist movement! My personal copy is the 'Special Edition' released on an American label which I imported from Amazon.com for around the equivalent of £10, and this has excellent picture quality - bear in mind that it is still taken from a very old and damaged negative - and a choice of two excellent soundtracks, an organ score and a modern orchestral and electronic score that suits surprisingly well. People with Region 2-only players, or who would prefer a British release, can find several good exampl
es on websites such as Play.com. The BFI edition is reportedly superior, however there is a 2-disc set currently on sale at only £8.99 on that website which my friend owns, and which introduced me to the film, and I would also recommend.

Clearly a film of the past, Nosferatu will always remain my favourite horror film due to its believability; although the special effects are unimpressive, this is part of the film's appeal, as is the fact that it looks like it was made in the time the film is set, which is in reality roughly a century earlier. I recently watched the Jack the Rupper thriller "From Hell" and, despite fantastic sets and costumes, it was obvious that I was watching a modern film, but at least Ian Holm was in it- what a guy. Anyone put off by having to read their way through a film is also largely spared that, as the director F. W. Murnau deliberately limited the captions to those that are absolutely necessary.

If your idea of a great film moment is an exploding bridge taking down some helicopters then I support your view and suggest you finance my friend's movie idea for 'Murderocutor,' however if you prefer a slow and gradual progression through a dark plot, with some great music, this film is for you. And Cradle of Filth fans. A recent movie 'Shadow of the Vampire' took an interesting take on this film's production, as it picked up on the old rumour that star Max Schreck may have been a vampire. Despite the fact that there is tons of evidence against this, not least his roles in other prominent German films of the time, it might be quite funny, although it does have Eddie Izzard in it. Watch Nosferatu first though.

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