Nosferatu (1922)

Nosferatu (1922)

 

6/10

Starring

Max Schreck

Gustav von Wangenheim

Greta Schröder

Alexander Granach

 

Directed by F. W. Murnau

 

 

I’m not one to watch horror movies, and I did intend to see the new Nosferatu movie. But when I came across this old one, I had a funny suspicion that the new version might take a romantic turn between Ellen and Nosferatu. I don’t know for sure, because the movie isn't out yet, but I’m holding on to my suspicions and won’t be seeing it. Call me boring, but not a fan of the numerous artistic liberties movie makers usually take.

This movie, for one, is actually not bad, especially for a film made in 1922. It’s an unauthorized and unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula, a wonderful book set in the 1890s in Britain. The moment the movie starts and I see what Thomas does for a living, I knew it was an adaptation, though an unofficial one.

It’s hard to comment on the effects or cinematography because I haven’t seen many silent films of this nature to compare it with. But as a whole, from what I got out of it, it’s a nice movie to watch.

Set in 1838, in Germany, Thomas works as an estate agent. He’s tasked with visiting the castle of a new client, Count Orlok, who plans on buying the house opposite his.

Thomas sets off to the castle so the count can sign the papers for the purchase, but on his journey, he meets many locals who warn him not to go. He continues on anyway and reaches the castle. From there, things start to get odd. There are no servants around, but food is always available for him to eat. The count is strange-looking, with pointed ears and a nose that protrudes, making him resemble a rat.

Thomas soon realizes he’s essentially a prisoner in the castle, and the count is on his way to his new house. Thomas breaks out of the castle and tries to find his way back home.

Back home, his wife Ellen is haunted by the image of Count Orlok (Nosferatu).

The movie has a very different ending compared to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It also merges some characters and does away with others to make the story more succinct.

To be honest, I kind of enjoyed the movie for what it is, and for an old German film, it does the job of entertaining me. I think you can catch this movie free online, it is on the public domain, so if you are interested, then you will not have a hard time finding it.