• Release year: 1922
• Director: F. W. Murnau.
• Producers: Enrico Dieckmann and Albin Grau.
• Screenplay by: Henrik Galeen.
• Cinematography by: Fritz Arno Wagner and Günther Krampf.
• Music by: James Bernard (Original 1922 Score: Hans Erdmann).

Shotgun Commentary: a version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897), without the romantic emphasis or Dr. Van Helsing’s storyline.

Review

Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror) is a classic of gothic German cinema. This country was an incredibly prolific producer of horror films during the 1920s. A century later, most of these movies are considered cult features. Their popularity is still going strong among horror fans.

The inexorable march of time

Still, there have been many versions of Dracula since the invention of cinema, and infinite vampire-themed films. So it is conceivable that audiences today might not connect with this feature in particular. For starters, silent films aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Especially with modern mainstream audiences used to explosions of colours and constant kinetic stimulation. In a world that promotes fast entertainment, plagued with digital sources fighting for three seconds of their users’ attention at all times, a silent film can definitely be challenging.

Nevertheless, those willing to put in the effort of completely disconnecting in pro of giving this feature the attention it deserves, will be rewarded with one of the best classic horror movies ever made. It is no coincidence that this film is still often referenced and brought up in horror conversations. Even after a hundred years, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror has barely aged. Its quality is still very much intact.

A horror classic

The story is one all horror lovers know like the back of their hands. A man in real estate is sent to a count’s castle by his employee, leaving his fiancée behind. They are very much in love, but they must be parted for a little while due to this assignment. The count turns out to be a vampire who develops an unhealthy obsession with the protagonist’s fiancée. The man in question becomes a victim and will try to survive the vampire.

Nothing else will be revealed in case you haven’t got to your gothic classics yet, but suffice to say, it’s a pretty compelling story. However, as similar as it might seem to Dracula, there are two key differences that have been previously mentioned: concise romantic content and a total lack of Dr. Van Helsing.

The first difference will be very welcomed by those among us horror fans who prefer action to love stories. Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror has just enough romance to make you understand the characters’ behaviours and motivations, but not enough to be able to consider it a love story.

Other than the obvious lack of lengthy conversations you find in any silent film, it barely showcases enough to present the characters and the context, so anyone with romantic allergies will be very happy with the film. As for the second, and this comes from a hardcore fan of Dr. Van Helsing, the feature finds a nice way around his involvement in the story. By taking away the part of Dracula that made him “human”, you can also eradicate the figure of Dr. Van Helsing. It’s a two-birds-one-stone kinda situation that works surprisingly well.

Grafails

Great storytelling aside, the film is not without flaw. Things that might have been alright at the time don’t fly as well any more. For instance, why is the protagonist, Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) so excited to be going to “the land of robbers and ghosts”? Ghosts are understandable, but surely no one in their right minds can be excited to get mugged?

To this, one can add the elephant in the room: Graf Orlok, aka Nosferatu (Max Schreck), could not be more obvious if he tried. From his comments about “beautiful necks”, to him literally hauling around his own coffin, Graf tries as hard as humanly possible to be incredibly obvious. Yet nobody seems to notice anything off with him. These incongruences are easily forgivable thanks to the talent of actors and composers alike, but that doesn’t mean they are non-existent.

OG talent

As mentioned before, the cast is superb. Greta Schröder as Ellen, Hutter’s fiancée, is absolutely wonderful. Ellen is the equivalent of Mina in Dracula. Sadly, she doesn’t get as much screen time as Mina would in a faithful representation of the literary work. Nevertheless, she shines bright in her few appearances. Made for silent cinema, Schröder is capable of a flawlessly expressive body language that comes through clear as water, while simultaneously staying away from excessive gesticulation.

Her male counterparts, Wangenheim and Schreck, also deliver fantastic performances. The first as the clumsy hero, and the second giving life to an unforgettable monster that has since become a horror icon.

All in all, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror is a horror masterpiece that has withstood the passing of time, remaining relevant and inspirational even over a hundred years after its release. Storytelling, acting and soundtrack come together beautifully in this legendary piece of gothic horror that is an undisputable must-watch for all classic horror lovers.

Advice to take from this movie:

• If someone comments on someone else’s neck, keep a close eye on that person…
• Maybe don’t haul around your own coffin if you don’t want an angry mob after you.
• Do second guess your employer’s tasks, especially if he mentions you needing to give up blood to fulfil them.

What’s your take? Have you watched Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀