Shadow of the Vampire (2000)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

E. Elias Merhige

Writer:

Steven Katz (written by)

Release Date:

26 January 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror

Tagline:

An Unspeakable Horror. A Creative Genius. Captured For Eternity.

Plot:

The filming of Nosferatu is hampered by the fact that the star is taking his role far more seriously than what seems humanly possible.

Plot Keywords:

Nosferatu | Vampire | Director | Actor | Filmmaking

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

John Malkovich	...	Murnau
Willem Dafoe	...	Schreck
Udo Kier	...	Grau
Cary Elwes	...	Wagner
Catherine McCormack	...	Greta
Eddie Izzard	...	Gustav
Aden Gillett	...	Galeen
Nicholas Elliott	...	Paul (as Nicholas Elliot)
Ronan Vibert	...	Muller
Sophie Langevin	...	Elke
Myriam Muller	...	Maria
Milos Hlavac	...	Innkeeper (as Milos Hlavak)
Marja-Leena Junker	...	Innkeeper's Wife
Derek Kueter	...	Reporter 1
Norman Golightly	...	Reporter 2

Also Known As:

Burned to Light (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexuality, drug content, violence and language.

Runtime:

92 min | Spain:87 min (DVD edition)

Country:

UK | USA | Luxembourg

Language:

English | German | Letzebuergesh

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby SR

Certification:

Finland:K-12 | Iceland:12 | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Portugal:M/16 | Finland:K-3 (re-rating) | Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:G (Quebec) | Chile:14 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Malaysia:(Banned) | Norway:15 | Philippines:R-18 | Singapore:R(A) | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Delux Productions, Contern, Luxembourg

Company:

Saturn Films

Trivia:

Max Schreck (Willem Dafoe) recites Tennyson's poem 'Tithonus' at one point: 'The woods decay, the woods decay and fall, the vapors weep their burthen to the ground...' This is apropos, because the poem is about a character from Greek mythology who was immortal even though he continued to age. Just like Schreck, this made him a tragic figure.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: When Skrek first sees the picture of Greta the photos do not match between shots. This is because the first shot of the photo is taken from Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922).

Quotes:

F.W. Murnau: Albin, collect the wooden stake and return it to its rightful place; it is necessary for the final frame, to remind us of the inadequacies of our plans, our contingencies, every missed train and failed picnic, every lie to a child.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 2001 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards (2001) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Tristan Und Isolde - Overture

Well made – the `who is the real monster' thing works really well

In 1922 filming of Murnau's movie `Nosferatu' has begun. Murnau has recruited the mysterious Max Shreck to play the lead role. Crew fall ill and Shreck never appears out of character or during the day. Fellow actor Gustav believes Shreck is an intense method actor – however Shreck is a real vampire and has agreed to star in the film in exchange for the neck of the leading lady when filming finishes. However Shreck's lust for blood continues to grow throughout the shoot.

This is an inventive film that looks at how far art will go to create. The director Murnau seems as driven by the creative process as Shreck is by his lust for blood. This comparison is carried through the whole film until the inevitable showdown between the two drives. The setup itself is fascinating but the comparison between the two men makes it even better.

The film is well shot and uses the different cameras well. It looks really good and mixes bright shots with shadowy darkness really well. It also benefits from a good cast. Malkovich is excellent as the driven director who easily becomes a monster himself but Dafoe is even better. Despite being almost unrecognisable under the make up, Dafoe manages to bring humanity to his monster – he also brings some humour without making his a comedy role. Elwes is underused, but Izzard is great as a bad 1920's actor!

Overall this may not inspire interest in everyone but it has a great cast and a good central story. The comparisons drawn between Murnau and Shreck only improve what is already a very enjoyable film.