Sam Kench and James Lown review ‘Nosferatu‘ the 1922 silent film from F.W. Murnau. Part one of the Nosferatu triple feature in this year’s Macabre Month of Horror.
When director F.W. Murnau wanted to make a horror movie based on Bram Stoker’s novel, `Dracula,’ the Stoker Estate denied him the rights. So Murnau did what any innovative filmmaker does and improvised. He changed the title to `Nosferatu,’ and renamed the title character `Count Orlok,’ and moved forward making what would become the classic iconic vampire movie of the silent film era.
The film is still a faithful adaptation of Stoker’s story, and brought images to the screen unlike any that had been seen before. An innate, sinister atmosphere fills the screen, and is a unnerving and discomforting to watch now, as it was when it was released in 1922.
An air of mystery surrounded the set during the making of `Nosferatu’, making Max Schreck, who portrayed Count Orlok something of an urban legend. Schreck, a method actor, was never seen by the cast nor crew without his makeup and was always in character. Murnau may have perpetuated the myth when he implied that Schreck was actually a vampire playing an actor playing a vampire
For vampire fans who prefer dark and bloody over light and sparkly, this movie is a must-see. For film buffs everywhere, as well as aficionados of silent pictures, this film is a must-see
If you’re still thinking, that maybe Max Schreck really was a vampire, you definitely need to watch `Shadow of the Vampire,‘ which chronicles the making of `Nosferatu.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3F9EfmhVz0Click the titles below to watch our Nosferatu triple feature movie reviews:
- “Nosferatu the Vampyre” (1979)
- “Shadow of the Vampire” (2000)
- “Nosferatu” (1922)