Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

F.W. Murnau

Writer:

Henrik Galeen (writer)

Release Date:

3 June 1929 (USA)

Genre:

Fantasy | Horror | Thriller

Plot:

Vampire Count Orlok expresses interest in a new residence and real estate agent Hutter's wife. Silent classic based on the story "Dracula."

Plot Keywords:

Woman In Jeopardy | Lust | Obsessive | Self Sacrifice | Sexual Predator

Cast

Max Schreck	...	Graf Orlok
Gustav von Wangenheim	...	Hutter (as Gustav v. Wangenheim)
Greta Schröder	...	Ellen Hutter, seine Frau (as Greta Schroeder)
Alexander Granach	...	Knock, ein Häusermakler
Georg H. Schnell	...	Westenra, Harkers Freund (as G.H. Schnell)
Ruth Landshoff	...	Lucy, Westenras Frau
John Gottowt	...	Professor Bulwer, ein Paracelsianer
Gustav Botz	...	Professor Sievers, der Stadtartzt
Max Nemetz	...	Käpitän der Demeter
Wolfgang Heinz	...	Matrose 1
Albert Venohr	...	Matrose 2
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Eric van Viele	...	Sailor

Also Known As:

Nosferatu (USA) (short title)
Nosferatu the Vampire (USA)
Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror
Nosferatu, a Symphony of Terror
Terror of Dracula

Runtime:

94 min | Sweden:84 min (DVD version) | 84 min (1994 restored version projected at 20 fps) | UK:88 min (1997 restored version) | Belgium:85 min | USA:81 min | Spain:65 min (VHS version) | Spain:92 min (DVD edition)

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

Canada:PG (Manitoba/Nova Scotia) (DVD rating) (video rating) | Finland:(Banned) (1922) | Finland:K-12 (1987) | Iceland:L | Canada:13+ (Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Germany:12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:(Banned) | UK:PG | USA:Unrated | Spain:T | South Korea:12 (DVD rating) | Portugal:M/12 (DVD rating) | Canada:G (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Baltic Sea

Company:

Jofa-Atelier Berlin-Johannisthal

Trivia:

Ruth Landshoff, the actress who played the hero's sister once described a scene in which she fled the vampire, running along a beach. That scene is not in any version of the film.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: When Hutter sits down on the bed at the inn to read the book about Nosferatu the Vampire, a piece of paper can be seen appearing and then disappearing in the lower left corner of the screen.

Quotes:

Graf Orlok: Is this your wife? What a lovely throat.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Dracula 2000 (2000)

"Is that your wife? What a lovely throat!"

As I'm sure it is the case for many cinema fans, my respect and admiration towards this production widely excels the enjoyment I had while watching it. "Nosferatu" is a milestone from every possible viewpoint and it's one of those very few movies I think everybody should view at least once (although it actually requires repeated viewings…) It is the very first version of Bram Stoker's legendary vampire tale and easily the most copied film in the history of cinema. I'm sure everyone is familiar with the story of young estate agent Jonathan Harker traveling to Transylvania where he acquaintances the eccentric count who feeds on blood and controls the ones he has bitten, but THIS is the original version. Shot by F.W. Murnau (who also made the equally essential titles "Faust" and "Der Januskopf") and made unforgettable by Max Schreck in his performance as the Count. And, even though this film is over 80 years old, Schreck's image is still as nightmarish as it can be. No visual or make-up effect could ever surpass the simple appearance of Max Schreck! The fact that this film is still very powerful therefore almost entirely depends on his unworldly character. "Nosferatu" is beautiful poetry, difficult to watch at times, but very rewarding. The sexual undertones as well as the shock-aspects have surely dated by now, but they're still present, and – as I mentioned before – they only increase my respect for Murnau and his crew. A definite must see, just make sure you're in the right mood.