Nosferatu

The Internet Movie Database lists 223 film references featuring Dracula in a prominent role. Hundreds more refer to Dracula in some way. The first film to present Bram Stoker's creation, Nosferatu, however does not reference the the immortal Count's name at all. Nosferatu was made in Germany in 1922. The director, FW Murnau and the movie's producers attempted to procur the rights to Dracula from Bram Stoker's widow but were refused. They made the film anyway and changed the character's names. Dracula now became Count Orlok, played by Max Schreck. The story generally follows Stoker's novel. The Stoker estate sued the production and Nosferatu was nearly destroyed for all time.

Werner Herzog, the maker of the 1979 version of Nosferatu considers the 1922 version to be the most important film in German history. He is not alone in his praise. Empire magazine rated Nosferatu #21 in the magazine's "100 Best Films of World Cinema."

Again the expressionistic roots of this period are in full sway. Impressive angle shots filled with shadows and startling images take center stage pulling the viewer into this nightmare world.

Orlok is not presented as some aristocratic Count but as a rat faced monster bringing a plague of death wherever he treads. His bald misshapen head, elongated fingernails, and pointy ears presented a haunting image that has been reproduced for effect in not only the 1979 version of the movie but in other films as well such as the 1979 TV mini series Salem's Lot based on the Stephen King novel.

Schreck uses gestures, posture and facial expression superbly throughout the film to convey terror. Early in the film we only get partial images of the Count and then when we get a full view of Orlok when Hutter ( The Jonathan Harker character) opens his bedroom door to see the count standing erect outside his door, we too want to flee with Hutter and with him we find no escape as the monster slowly enters the room and descends upon the sunken Hutter.

Though in previous vampire lore there was some indication vampires were weakened during daylight hours and they slept by day rather than night, it wasn't suggested sunlight was deadly until it was the means used to dispatch Orlok in Nosferatu.

Images from Nosferatu have become increasingly famous as more and more viewers become familiar with this classic from the silent era.

For an excellent plot summary of the film see the Wikipedia article at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nosferatu

In 1979 Werner Herzog brought his vision of Nosferatu to the screen. The film is highly regarded but most critics say it falls short of its predecessor. I disagree. Herzog himself considers the original to be Germany's greatest film. The 79 film is a tremendous stylized version that returns the film's characters to their intended names but rarely departs from the storyline though adding more soul to the characters.

Klaus Kinski adds more depth to the character of Dracula. He is no longer just a monster but their is a sad lonliness he imparts. "I don't attach importance to the sunshine anymore..or to the glittering fountainsm which youth is so fond of. I love the darkness and shadows where I can be alone in my thoughts." states the count to jonathan Harker. Kinski, at the same time is able to still come across as menacing. He manages to mimick many of Shreck's gestures for instance when he holds his hands like claws. His makeup exhibited the same rat like features and serpentine front teeth.

Herzog's direction is what really drives this film. He does manage to replicate many of the scenes from the original film but with the addition of color and sound, Herzog is able to do even more with the atmosphere and dialogue.

( the above 2 stills show the similar camera angles used by Murnau and later Herzog for this scene as the Count's explorations on the ship set sail for Wismar)

(The Count readies himself to drain the heroin of each film)

Herzog uses lighting to create a dreamlike atmosphere throughout the film. His use of lighting and shadows build tension and signal time for thought. During the opening credit sequence as Herzog pans the camera across a line mummified bodies with the music from Popol Vul's "On The Way" being played we are haunted by the melancholy theme that will be oft repeated throughout the film. Herzog pulls lighting and sound together in a wonderful scene wher Harker ascends a mountain on his way to Dracula's castle. Wagner's Rheingold Prelude is heard and the day turns to night. Herzog uses bright colors early in the film and the colors turn dark as the movie slowly moves from one world into another. Herzog's use of symbolism wasn't lost when he used the ship containing Dracula's coffins slowly flowing into the canal of the town of Wismar to indicate the arrival of death. Dracula was the bringer of plague with his 11,00 rats. Upon Dracula's arrival Renefield declares Dracula as the lord of the Rats.

There is one particular effective scene where Herzog uses the angle of shooting to have Dracula creep up on Lucy who is looking into a mirror and see Dracula's shadow yet no reflection of the vampire as he closes in on her. He used no special effects to accomplish this intensity. While Lucy is looking in the mirror, a door opens. Dracula's shadow is evident but because the vampire casts no reflection, Dracula cannot be seen. When the door closes, the shadow remains and moves in on Lucy until Dracula is revealed at her side but never in the mirror.

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There are a number of differences between Stoker's novel and Nosferatu. One being the clear deemphasis of Van Helsing. He is not the believer we see in the book and subsquent movies. In one scene he is in debate with Lucy stating "This is an enlightened century. Science has refuted the superstitions you're talking about." Lucy claims "Faith is the faculty in men which enables us to believe in things we know to be untrue." as she pleads for Van Helsing to help her destroy Dracula.

Lucy, played by Isabelle Adjani, is clearly the protagonist of the film. Her interaction with Dracula is memorable.

Referring to death taking Jonathan, Lucy says, "Death surrounds us we're all at His will...only death is certain; only death is cruel."

Dracula: "Death is cruelty to the unsuspecting but that's not what I perceive as cruel. Cruel is when you can't die even if you want to. Give me some of your love which you give Jonathan."

Lucy: "I never will"

Dracula goes on trying to bargain with her, telling her he will give Jonathan back to her if she will give her love to him.

Lucy:" The power of my love will bring him back to me, and you may be assured even the unthinkable will not deter me that you want to lay for me" At this point her cross is revealed and Dracula departs.

Lucy reads in Jonathan's book And if a pure hearted woman diverts his attention from the cry of the cock, the first light of day will obliterate him. referring to the vampire.

Lucy takes it upon herself to rid her world of the plague Dracula has brought by sacrificing herself.

Herzog's vision of the story has one final twist as Jonathan fully succombs to Dracula's will and becomes a vampire himself to carry on the Count's terror.

I can't finish my thoughts on Nosferatu without mentioning the 2001 film Shadow of the Vampire. John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe headline the film starring as F.W. Murnau and Max Shreck respectively in a fictional account of the making of Nosferatu. The back cover of the dvd box states: "In his quest to create a vampire film to die for F.W. Murau hires the mysterious Max Schreck to play Count Orlock in his masterpiece, Nosferatu. Murnau introduces Schreck as 'The ultimate method actor'- one who will appear only in character, in full makeup and only at night. But as the cast and crew begin to disappear, it appears that Murnau has made a devil's bargain with Shreck."