Review of Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) by Azal A — 13 Apr 2009

An homage to German Expressionism of the 1920's, specifically Murnau's Nosferatu, there is nothing clichéd in Herzog's Vampyr. Jumpy editing keeps the viewer's attention from settling into a sense of complacency, and in-camera effects create an impressively surreal atmosphere which give this film a believable feel, and allow its creepiness to literally creep up on the viewer.

Also far from cliché are Klaus Kinski's choices for his Nosferatu; he keeps his movements unnaturally slow to parallel a vampire's perception of the endless passage of time, while an aura of sadness gives a hint of a longing for a life long forgotten.