Nosferatu

Nosferatu Review

Nosferatu was a very creepy adaptation of the novel Dracula. The director had to change some of the names because of copyright laws. This silent film had a musical score that would be played by an organist while the film ran live. This would add to the films dark atmosphere. Even without the music though, Nosferatu is still a powerful film. Bram Stokers the author of Dracula would have presumably been upset by this supposed plagiarism, so his wife sued the production company. The company lost everything and went bankrupt. This did not stop the film from becoming a classic that is still revered today. The use of special effects such as stop motion to have Nosferatu rise up out of a hatch on a ship was quite revolutionary at the time. Most of the lighting in the movie dramatically added to the sense of imminent death and an intense sense of unease. For example, when Nosferatu is creeping up the stairs to find Nina, he casts a long shadow on the wall that gives the audience chills. The only special effects problems we saw in this film were when Nosferatu was outside and we could clearly see casted shadows made by the sun. Nosferatu is not supposed to be able to be in the sun, yet it seems to be day when he is outside. The fact that the movie was filmed in black and white and that camera technology was not as advanced as modern day may have forced the director to film only in the daylight. The lighting confusion is a minor issue though, and does not take away from the major influence that the movie has had over nearly nine generations.

The vampire Nosferatu had a creepy aura when on screen. Max Schreck is the actor who portrays Count Orlok (Nosferatu) both on screen and off. He took his role to an extreme and dark place that most others would not have. Attacking cast members and people who lived near him, he truly lived the part. There currently is a film called “Shadow of the Vampire” in production that is going to shed light on the on set antics of Max Schreck. Gustav Von Wangenheim played Jonathan, a part that did not do too terribly much. The role of Jonathan does not seem to be hero figure as most leading roles are, but instead the role gives the audience a sort of perspective to the story as it unfolded. Nina played by Greta Schroder was Jonathan's wife, who became entranced or possessed by Nosferatu once her husband had spent the night in the demon-infested lands of Transylvania.

Overall, we enjoyed Nosferatu, the plot, the characters, as well as the stories behind the scenes. The filming of Nosferatu was very interesting and actually added to the creepiness of Nosferatu in the movie. We also enjoyed seeing the special effects that were used back in 1922. Its always interesting to learn about old techniques and how they differ from modern day filming techniques. The actual story is what intrigued us the most. The fact that Nosferatu was a silent film meant that there was not a lot of information about the plot like in regular movies where the characters are able to speak and clarify the plot. With the viewer relying on the physical movements of the actors to tell the story there was room for interpretation. One audience member might have thought that the movie was conveying one message, while another audience member might have a slightly different theory. We liked that Nosferatu could have multiple interpretations depending on how you thought about what was happening on screen. All things considered, we give Nosferatu a 9/10. It would have gotten ten out of ten if not for the shadows during night issue, and the fact that Count Orlok was more silly than scary some of the time.


The Blake Snyder Beat Sheet for Nosferatu

1. Opening Image: It was Jonathan looking at himself in the mirror.

2. Theme Stated: Jonathan is told not to worry about the stories of the vampires of Transylvania.

3. Set-Up: We meet Jonathan’s wife Nina and hear of Nosferatu and how he wants to get to a building in their neighborhood.

4. Catalyst: He wakes up in that inn and starts to read the book about the vampires.

5. Debate: Whether or not he should continue on to Transylvania.


6. Break Into Two: He decides to keep going and arrives in Transylvania.

7. B Story: He meets Nosferatu and finds that he is a strange individual who has odd habits.

8. Fun and Games: Jonathan has to escape from Nosferatu while has to be at his home in Transylvania.

9. Midpoint: Nosferatu gets on the boat leaving for London to arrive in the abode near Nina.

10. Bad Guys Close In: The police stumble upon the dead bodies of the crew of the boat as it arrives in the harbor.

11. All is lost: Nosferatu moves into the building and begins killing individuals in the area near his new abode.

12. Dark Knight of the Soul: The plague is spead so Nosferatus killings go somewhat unnoticed.

13. Break into Three: Nina has to make the choice to sacrifice herself to save everyone else in the town.

14. Finale: Nina makes the choice to let Nosferatu drink her blood until morning in order to kill him when day breaks.

15. Final Image: Seeing Jonathan holding Nina, as she lies there dead.