Nosferatu was a silent film created by Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau, and was released in 1922. The film was based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but due to copyrighting Murnau could not use the same names or places, thus Count Dracula became Count Orlock
Filming
Constrained by a meager production budget Nosferatu relied on camera angles, lighting and editing rather than production design. Unlike other German Expressionistic films, real locations were used to create atmosphere instead of the usual stylized studio sets. The special effects, negative film and speeded-up motion were used to suggest a ghostly ride. The stop-start technique stylized the unnaturalness of the trip. One of the most memorable scenes is Orlock’s voyage on the ghost ship.
Director F.W. Murnau preferred the exterior locations. Odd camera angles and carefully designed long-shots gave the terrain a sinister look. Medieval castles and haunted empty villages provided a feeling of fear in broad daylight. His approach brought a sense of realism and authenticity to the film Nosferatu.
German Expressionism
German Expressionistic touches in the film are at first subtle. On second or third viewing, it becomes apparent that almost every shot is diagonally composed, such as the arrival of the carriage carrying Hutter near Orlok's castle or the scenes of Orlok carrying the coffin. Diagonal shots are an Expressionistic technique used to create distortion. Extreme shadows and one negative shot in a forest further enhance the distortion. The acting is exaggerated. This type of acting style was common in silent films.
In German Expressionism, a heightened emotional response was necessary to convey subjective feelings over an objective reality. Nosferatu is not meant to be realistic, rather a fantasy where real feelings and emotions are preferred over any concrete reality.
Emotional Reality
Expressionistic film makers were interested in dealing with themes through an emotional reality, rather than simply making a literal translation of text. Narrative techniques draw the audience in and create tension and suspense. For example, the use of the Book of the Vampires reveals vital information to both the audience and Thomas concerning the habits and mannerisms of a vampire. This gives the audience a sense of anxiety concerning Count Orlok’s behavior.
The director makes use of shadow to inflict feelings within the viewer. The way in which Orlock's shadow is seen to creep up the wall and move along corridors is unnerving and creates an amazing sense of anxiety and fear. Orlock himself with his long fingers and frightening features is both twisted and nightmarish. In later films distorted human-like figures were replaced by more mechanical creatures to instill discomfort in the audience.
Owning Nosferatu
There are a few different versions of Nosferatu available today. The original 1922 version has receantly been released on a two-disc special edition dvd which has features such as a documentary provideing a detailed account of the production and also looks at the filmmakers involvement in the occult. The film has been digitally remastered and is presented with the original German intertitles as well as with newly-translated English intertitles.
There is also Nosferatu: the Vampyre/Phantom Der Nacht, which was released in 1979This is a remake of F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu, directed by Werner Herzog. Herzog's remake, at times, directly mirror's Murnau's original, but Herzog does manage to slip in references to Tod Browning's Dracula.
These versions can be found for sale online at Amazon.com.
