Nosferatu 1922

They are many ways to create a horror movie. One way is to make a blood bath and try to make your audience throw up in every scene. Or another way is to go for the "in your face" approach where they try to shock the viewer. Many movies employ these tactics with a great deal of success. However, there's another way to give the audience chills, and that is to create a surreal nightmarish environment that envelops any one watching. And what better director to do this than F.W. Murnau. The movie is Nosferatu from 1922. This movie is the very first adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Even though it was the first adaptation, the film production company, Prana Film, did not receive permission from Stoker's widow to make the film and had to alter the story, mainly by changing the names to the characters, most notably Count Dracula to Count Orlok. But the main story was basically the same from the novel, so much so that Stoker's widow actually sued Prana Film. This lead to all the prints being destroyed. Or so we thought. Like any good vampire, this film came back to life many years later.

As stated before this film doesn't use traditional tactics usually associated with horror movies. People wont jump out of their seats but the film doesn't intend to do that. Instead it makes it a mission to put audiences in a terrible dream and give the constant feel of dread and despair through out the whole film. This film is terrifying because of the atmosphere, the performance of the actors, and the camera angles. For me, it is the only movie to give me nightmares. Nothing  else has even come close. And that's the main goal of any horror movie, to stay with you once the ending credits roll and you turn off the lights. Not knowing what's lurking in the shadows. And that's what's most terrifying. Any article about Nosferatu can not mention Max Shreck, the actor who brought to life an evil and horrifying character. The way he moves, the way he doesn't blink through out the whole picture as his own shadow creeps around the scenery. It was a performance for the ages. When people bring up great vampire roles they often mention Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee. Only recently people have been bringing up Shreck's name as an all time great. I think that's understandable because Nosferatu was considered to be a lost film not to long ago so his name is barley picking up steam. Since it's suppossed destruction this film has made a mighty come back and is now in the public domain with many different versions out on sale. There's many to chose from, so if you have the time and the nerves check it out.

Also this film is important because today's generation of the vampire has dramatically shifted to something less threatening and more sympathetic. So this film makes a good contrast to see where the vampire came from, mostly an evil thing and spreader of disease.