Movie-A-Day #106: Nosferatu (1922/29)

[FischerKing]

Plot Summary: Not the original Dracula movie (but close enough for most people), this follows the familiar story of Count Orloc moving from his ruined castle to the city of Wisborg, after the visit of one Jonathan Harker. Once there he becomes involved with Jonathan's fiancée Nina, who alone holds the power to destroy him.

A classic and for the time a fantastic movie. Great use of the camera, makeup and special effects. A take off of Brahm Stroker's Dracula? That's a debateable point - but regardless, it's a great movie. It is a silent film (duh), but well worth the watch.

Shawn

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by FischerKing
Plot Summary: Not the original Dracula movie (but close enough for most people), this follows the familiar story of Count Orloc moving from his ruined castle to the city of Wisborg, after the visit of one Jonathan Harker. Once there he becomes involved with Jonathan's fiancée Nina, who alone holds the power to destroy him.

A classic and for the time a fantastic movie. Great use of the camera, makeup and special effects. A take off of Brahm Stroker's Dracula? That's a debateable point - but regardless, it's a great movie. It is a silent film (duh), but well worth the watch.

Shawn

Nosferatu is indeed Dracula with different names.

The widow of Bram Stoker would not give up the rights to the novel, which is why Murnau had to change the names and even the fact that his Dracula looks like a rat.

 

[FischerKing]

Re: Re: Movie-A-Day #106: Nosferatu (1922/29)

Originally posted by Chaplin
Nosferatu is indeed Dracula with different names.

The widow of Bram Stoker would not give up the rights to the novel, which is why Murnau had to change the names and even the fact that his Dracula looks like a rat.

If I remember parts of the story right - didn't they film a Spanish version at the same time as the English version - but it was filmed at night with the same equipment?

Shawn

 

[Chaplin]

Re: Re: Re: Movie-A-Day #106: Nosferatu (1922/29)

Originally posted by FischerKing
If I remember parts of the story right - didn't they film a Spanish version at the same time as the English version - but it was filmed at night with the same equipment?

Shawn

No, that was the American version of Dracula (this time with names correct) with Bela Lugosi.

There is no English version of Nosferatu--it is strictly a silent German film.

 

[FischerKing]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Movie-A-Day #106: Nosferatu (1922/29)

Originally posted by Chaplin
No, that was the American version of Dracula (this time with names correct) with Bela Lugosi.

There is no English version of Nosferatu--it is strictly a silent German film.

You are right - my bad. I get some of these movies all mixed up.

Shawn

 

[jf-08]

Wasn't Jonathan Harker the name in Dracula?

LOL Mina vs. Nina!!

 

[Chaplin]

"Harker's" name in Nosferatu is actually "Hutter".

 

[mdamien13]

Stands out as the first great horror film IMO. Still required viewing for anyone who wants to know how to make an effective horror film (and judging from some recent entries, not many new directors have taken lessons from it). Unbelievably atmospheric for a silent film. Great choice!

P.S. - any chance we'll see Fright Night in your movie-a-day?

 

[Kwezzy]

I had to watch this in my German class, I liked it, but no one else did enough to watch the ending, so I don't know how it ends

 

[Bada0Bing]

Recently watched it. Currently #180 on IMDB's top 250. Loved this movie, it was actually really creepy. I wasn't expecting a 1920's silent movie to give me the creeps, but it did.

Director F.W. Murnau found Max Schreck "strikingly ugly" in real life and decided the vampire makeup would suffice with just pointy ears and false teeth.

Poor fellow

I had to watch this in my German class, I liked it, but no one else did enough to watch the ending, so I don't know how it ends

It's in the public domain now, so I think the entire movie is on youtube. Here's the ending...