NOSFERATU (original)

[countchocula]

To my horror, while doing a search for Nosferatu threads yesterday, I found that there weren’t any. Blasphemy! I can understand there not being a topic devoted to the 1979 remake, but the original? One of the first horror films of all time? The first vampire film of all time? All schmoes past and present should be wallowing in shame! How dare you! Well, I could be overreacting, but I’m still flabbergasted to an extent. This brooding silent film paved the way for many genre outings to come. Count Orlock is a legend, and I prefer him over Count Dracula. This character just seems like a more honest representation of a bloodsucker who has been alone in a gloomy gothic castle for thousands of years. If I were him, I’d be anemic and introversive too!

Surprisingly, there isn’t a dull moment here. That could be attributed to the film’s short running time, but it’s Murnau’s haunting aesthetics that reeled me in. I adore the use of shadows. The “staircase” sequence will forever be ingrained in my psyche. I remember seeing that particular shot during the opening credits of Nickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark? when I was younger. I was so spooked and intrigued by it. Just that quick glimpse of Orlock’s silhouette was enough to take me aback. There are many other instances that convey a sense of foreboding doom, more than you’d think you’d run across in a silent film. The lack of dialogue isn’t detrimental. When watching Nosferatu, seldom do I even notice that there isn’t any yapping going on. The visuals are too enchanting for me to care.

The score is...whatever you want it to be! I like the fact that I can watch this flick and listen to Type O Negative’s Bloody Kisses without missing out on any of the plotline's details. Even Hall & Oates would suffice. It would sure as hell increase the scare factor. The only drawback that springs to mind is the fact that it’s hard to get attached to any of the characters. Maybe it’s because the film is extremely outdated, but I didn’t really warm up to anybody. I wasn’t rooting for the hero, which is what I assume I was supposed to be doing. But that aside, this is a must-see for horror fans and movie fans in general. If you have yet to visit Count Orlock’s humble abode, then go to your room and think about what you’ve done. After a substantial amount of time has passed, leave your room and rent/buy this film pronto!

My rating-4.5/5

http://www.pobladores.com/canales/CIUDADVAMPIRO/nosferatu.jpg

[thingsgoinon]

See I was spoiled by seeing the remake first....and I like the 79 version better.....only slightly tho.

Thing about this original is , it's almost TOO eerie for me to watch sometimes....it really creeps me out. Prob a combination of the old film and the silent aspect(and of course the clever camera and FX technique), and Shreck. This one definately wins in the 'disturbing as all hell' department.

And when considering it after viewing Shadow of the Vampire , it becomes even MORE eerie. I have yet to do it, but I'm sure viewing it and taking it in context to the fictional story of SotV, it will have a different sort of effect on me.

[This message has been edited by thingsgoinon (edited 07-19-2002).]

[countchocula]

Yeah, Shadow of the Vampire's fictionalization does make you wonder. It gets you to ask all sorts of "what if?" questions. Willem Dafoe kicks ass! I can't decide which Orlock portrayal I like best. Schreck, Kinski, or Dafoe? Hmm, I smell a potential topic brewing...

[Razorblade Smile]

I love Nosferatu. Schreck is da shiz-at. And the old grainy b/w footage is really eerie. I love the heavy shadows.

But I'm not a big fan of silent films. Mostly because they have to inter-splice text boxes between the scenes and that really draws me out of the movie.

Secondly, all of the actors of the 1920s felt the need to over-exaggerate their expressions to ridiculous prorportions. I guess they never realized that subtle body language works MORE effectively than flamboyant hand gestures and facial contortions.

Be that as it may, Nosferatu and Phantom of the Opera are two of the finest films of the horror genre.

[Romero&Juliet]

A movie that I never bothered watching (even though I knew it would be great) until about two months ago...It IS an incredible movie. something that all schmoes should see..

I can see what you mean about not being able to get into any of the characters very much, count...

[Mr. Fred Krueger]

You do know that Count Orlock= Count Dracula, right? http://www.joblo.com/ubb/wink.gif

And yes, this is a great film. Anyone out to make a vampire film should look on this as a type of guide.

[Toxferatu]

i found a cheap ass dvd of it in the bargain section at best buy and couldnt say no, love it. creepy as hell.

[nekroman41]

Nosferatu is so effective it is difficult to watch alone in its entirety. Its just so damn eerie i cant get over it. Just thinking of count orlock's apperance gives me the shudders.

[Cronos]

excellent film, effectively creepy at times and very well made and directed

one of the greatest vampire films

[Tagia_Romero]

This film truly owns my soul. The only complaint I really have about it is the inappropriate sound usage in some cases. When a door slams at one point, it makes a loud "BOIIIIING!" and that made me laugh. However, overall, the film is a gem, and thank Christ Florence Stoker didn't get ALL of the prints burned.

[SpongeBod]

Can someone tell me, if they have this on DVD.
Which version do you have?
And how does it look and sound?

Is this the only good one, or are any of the cheaper ones good?

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000055ZB8.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[KillerKlown]

I have the midnight movies one. No extras, but it's a decent transfer.

[SpongeBod]

Thanks Killer! That one is really cheap!

You know what I hate about the reviews on Amazon.
When a DVD is released under different companies. You have no idea which one the reviewer is referring to.

[miceland1]

Three things about this movie.

1. My parents had this catechism book and they used a still from Nosferatu for an illustration of the Devil. I was scared but also curious. How in the hell did they manage to take a picture of the Devil?

I had no idea it was a movie still, nor of many other things for that matter. Still I think if ever see the dark lord if he looks like Schreck I will not be the least surprised.

2. Shadow of the Vampire is great. So worth watching.

3. It's just a very scary movie. Worse than Dr. Calagari, way worse. than Metropolis.

[HannibalGuy]

Nosferatu fucking rules. This is one of my favs of all time. It's just a plain and simple classic. Orlok is the creepiest looking vampire to ever appear on film. He's not some romantic vampire that most people are used too. He's a scary son of a bitch. Schreck rules as the Count.

[James_Sparrow]

I got the worst fricken cut of this movie. Its got this horrible soundtrack from a modern Heavy Metal band playing through the whole damn thing

Type O Negitive does the soundtrack so it kinda pisses me off. I need a decent transfer.

[Swaj270]

Rumour has it that the UK based Masters of Cinema series will be releasing a 2 disc special edition of this gem in 2007. Anyone who's familiar with their releases so far will know that they are generally regarded to be a tad better than Criterion.

Most of their discs are Region Free too and so this means that R1 peeps can import and play a copy on any machine.

[CHANCE]

The best and creepiest vampire flick ever...!

Orlock just looks too damn creepy...with little to no "make up" as we know effects today.

Priceless...

[Lost in Space]

it is slightly shameful...
great great great movie
best vamp movie of all time

[Dehydrator]

How did I miss this thread?

Not like I can tell you anything about this movie that hasn't been said already. I think the remake is one of the best Herzog movies too, it's cool to have Klaus Kinski play the Orlock part.

If you like german expressionistic stuff you might like to check out "Faust" by Murnau too.

[Valo the Crow]

One true definition of a classic horror film, F*CKING CREEPY!!!
:eek:

[teenkiller]

Okay I did something completely and totally out of character last night. I watched... A SILENT FILM!! DUN DUN DUN!

Yep. I went on Youtube and looked up Nosferatu for some odd reason. I don't know why. Oh wait. Yeah I do. It's because I saw a clip of it on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments and felt that I should view it.

I don't regret it either. It was actually able to hold my attention for the entire running time, which although short, is still quite the achievement for this type of movie. Scheck made for an awesome looking Dracu... er... Orlok. The scenes with him walking through the doorway, and his shadows walking up the staircase are STILL pretty effective and don't feel dated. Not to me at least.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/NosferatuShadow.jpg/275px-NosferatuShadow.jpg

http://www.scifilm.org/museimages/nosferatu.jpg

http://seminars.torontoghosts.org/blog/media/blogs/new/nosferatu.jpg

See what I mean?

Too bad he's the only interesting character here. The hero doesn't really feel like a hero and the damsel in distress factor seems to happen too quickly to have any real effect on me. Still a decent film though and I can definitely see why it's classic status has been cemented.

Nosferatu - 7.5/10

Well thats all for now GOoD JOURNEY my fellow schmoes.

[teenkiller]

Hey, I've become more curious now. I didn't know Shadow of the Vampire was about Nosferatu. Does anyone know of any place online where I might be able to watch this film? I looked up the plot and it sounds pretty interesting. Well thats all for now GOoD JOURNEY my fellow schmoes.

[Cronos]

I didn't know Shadow of the Vampire was about Nosferatu. Does anyone know of any place online where I might be able to watch this film?
Nope but it's well worth giving a look. Awesome performances from Dafoe and Malkovich, very funny in places as well.

[snoopmish]

Easily the creepiest vamp ever...in looks anyway. You can see why Salems Lot...the original mini-series...went for that look. I loved it.

[KillerKlown]

It's by far the oldest horror film in my collection and I still love it.

[Le_Big_Mac]

Easily the greatest vampire film of all time and one of the greatest horror films of all time (not necessarily meaning that it's one of the best or one of my favorites). Any schmoe who considers himself a horror nut should be ashamed if they haven't seen this movie.

Max Shreck is creepy as shit as Count Orlok, but it's the pure simplicity of the make-up, the use of shadows and the camera choices (the low-angle shot from the stairs of Orlok crossing the ship's deck and his first appearance through the door pictured above by teenkiller are images that are hard to forget, even if you see them everywhere on the internet when it involves horror movies). He more than makes up for the dullness of the other characters.

Even if I managed to get through the movie with my eyes open when I actually watched it, I'll always remember when I was younger, how Nosferatu shows up as a joke at the end of the Spongebob Squarepants episode where he and Squidward are working the night shift (as if anyone knows what I'm talking about) and on the many occasions I saw it, for a while, I would have to turn my head away or close my eyes each time that moment came.