Review of Nosferatu (1922) by Matthew D — 06 Sep 2018

The greatest silent film.

Nosferatu (1922) is a true masterpiece of early cinema. F. W. Murnau directs the very shadows in his unauthorized version of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Murnau utilizes dim lighting, atmospheric sets, real animals, Gothic architecture, Gothic costuming, and long still shots to create a haunting horror film. Nosferatu will still get you unsettled due to its heavy atmospheric elements and crawling camera movements.

The clever edits and cuts make doors open and close by themselves, while simultaneously having Nosferatu appear out of nowhere. The final special effect that sees Nosferatu fade into the sunlight looks modern. Nosferatu was ahead of its time in every regard.

Furthermore, the title cards with the script are refined and embroidered with Gothic lettering and a dark script. The gorgeous hand writing looks slick even today. These creepy words tell the narrative with a wit and charm of their own. The score is a magnum opus by German composer Hans Erdmann. The music is a massive presence during Nosferatu. The pleasant mornings are met with grimdark nights all thanks to the intricate compositions from Erdmann. Nosferatu grips you with its all time classic score. This is the standard for horror soundtracks.

Certainly, the star of Nosferatu is the man himself: actor Max Schreck. Schreck plays Nosferatu with an obvious glee. He is absolutely terrifying and hideous within Nosferatu. His long claws look scary, his fangs are monstrous, his ears otherworldly, his height intimidating, his eyes magnetic, his makeup grotesque, and his stance creepy. Every acting choice Schreck made culminates in Nosferatu remaining a film classic. He walks with a staggered gait. Schreck keeps his arms at his sides while stalking about the night. I love his quick glances and use of eye acting for a subtle mesmerizing glare. I love how truly nightmarish Schreck portrays Nosferatu. This is excellence in acting at every moment throughout Nosferatu.

Overall, I cannot recommend Nosferatu enough. Murnau was a visionary director who used every camera trick imaginable at the time to create a horror world for Nosferatu to dwell. I love this movie more than any other silent era film. It is wonderful!