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Summary: Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens
Review: If Todd Browning's "Dracula" is about the sound of Bela Lugosi's accented voice saying "Good Evening," then F. W. Murnau's "Nosferatu" is about the sights of Max Schreck's grostesque figure rising up out of his coffin. The fact that this is a silent film actually adds to the atmospheric tension; think of the moment when the death ship slips into the port of Bremen, carrying its cargo of death. The story is clearly Bram Stoker's "Dracula" (although the names have been changed to pretend otherwise and avoid paying the author's estate), and this 1922 film is actually more faithful than most versions of the novel, which almost invariably avoid the actual conclusion to the tale. Murnau's version ends with vampire's downfall being caused by a sacrifice based on the love of Ellen Hutter (Greta Schroder, the "Mina" character) for Thomas (Gustav von Wangenehim as the "Jonathan Harker" character). Even though Schreck's "Count Orlok" is clearly an example of German Expressionism with his gaunt countenance and immensely long talons he stalks his prey through a decidedly realistic 19th-century world, which also somehow magically adds to the film's effectiveness. Similarly, the "special effects" are nothing more than such rudimentary tricks as stop motion and double exposure, but none the less potent for their simplicity. Perhaps the greatest testament to this film is that directors who have filmed the Dracula story since "Nosferatu" have included homages to Murnau's masterpiece, from Browning (the actor playing the count is also the coachman) to Coppola (the count's terrifying shadow cast large on the wall). When released in 1922 this film was also known as "Nosferatu the Vampire," "Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror," "Nosferatu, a Symphony of Terror," and even "Terror of Dracula." The 1998 reissue title in the United States was "Nosferatu: The First Vampire."
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Summary: Count Orlock: The Vermin King
Review: Having seen the marvelous "Shadow of the Vampire" a few nights ago, I went home and watched the Image DVD of F.W. Murnau's classic "Nosferatu". Ever wake up from a nightmare with the feeling that you were suffocating? Well, I have that feeling when I watch "Nosferatu". The film is not without its "shocks", such as the scene when Orlock rises up from his coffin aboard the doomed ship, like an erect, diseased male organ, but its power is in its overall creepy, almost stifling sense of doom. The camerawork is remarkable, free of the staginess that would undermine Tod Browning's "Dracula" ten years later. The staginess of Browning's film may have been due to the problems with early sound film, as well as laziness on Browning's part, where the film looks like "a filmed play", with the exception of the remarkable first scenes in Transylvania. But, back to "Nosferatu". The print quality is excellent, considering the fact that this film is 80 years old, and the organ score contributes to the nightmare on the screen. My only complaint about "Nosferatu" is the ridiculous overacting, but hey, this IS a silent film. And now, I have to put my own "spin" on the classic image of Max Schreck as Count Orlock. When something is created that is so incredibly frightening, it becomes a "classic image". Count Orlock looks like an incredibly thin, two-legged rat. Thomas Kuntz, a brilliant sculptor and model-kit designer, whose figure of Count Orlock is a masterpiece, says, "He puts the RAT in Nosferatu". Byron couldn't have said it more eloquently!
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Summary: In preparation for "Shadow of the Vampire"...
Review: I had seen "Nosferatu" as a 10 year-old boy, alone, in the darkness of my grandparents' 140 year old house, on a big black-and-white television, and it scared the life out of me. Imagine my glee when I heard about "Shadow of the Vampire," a Willem Dafoe/John Malkovich film that fictionalizes the making of "Nosferatu!" My friends and I watched this DVD twice before going to see the new film. Although I'm not as naive as I was at ten, this film is still frightening, and even more interesting. One week before we saw "S of the V," we watched "Nosferatu" with the organ track. The avant-garde soundtrack sometimes seemed to mock the film, but I think I'll give it another go. The night before we saw "S of the V," we watched "Nosferatu" again, this time listening to the audio commentary. The commentator's analysis was fascinating, to say the least! If only the he had delivered his information with the same exuberant gusto that Hutter exhibited in the movie! This film should not be bypassed by anyone with an interest in cinema or vampire lore, especially if you own a DVD player. Watch it more than once. It's excellent the first time, and even more so the second!
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Summary: The Mother of all Horror movies
Review: One of the great masterpieces of the silent era, this film has set standards for all gothic horror to come. Lighting, setting, the whole composition of images, everything is perfect. An avantgarde work, duly hommaged by Werner Herzog's later version with color and sound (one of the very few remakes that truly honor their origin). Compulsory viewing for horror fans who would like to know how it all began.
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Summary: A Haunting Cinematic Nightmare
Review: Based on the classic novel DRACULA by Bram Stoker, NOSFERATU was the unofficial adaptation that was almost lost forever due to the efforts of Florence Stoker who won a legal case when the producers of the film failed to get official clearance from the Stoker estate to adapt the classic novel. Thankfully, the movie was preserved & stood the test of time. NOSFERATU stands as one of the most remarkable achievements in cinematic history. F. W. Murnau created a hauntingly eerie yet beautiful film. Max Schreck's interpretation of Count Orlock is one of the most horrific creatures in horror film history. He does not portray a charming, handsome, seductive vampire that horror fans came to associate with. He portrays the vampire as an evil, sinister creature of hell, a living embodiment of disease & decay. His vampire looks like a human bat, not the suave, erotic vampire popularized by Christopher Lee. The movie itself is a triumph of light & shadow to convey the atmosphere of horror. It is made even more haunting by the fact that the movie is a SILENT MOVIE. It's like watching a nightmare. NOSFERATU is to be seen & savored by all fans wh olove the horror film genre. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Satisfying Horror Could Teach Contemporaries A Thing or Two
Review: Beautifully restored. Considering the age of the film it looks spectacular on this DVD. And it is good to see one of the few silents with a genuine following being given such lavish treatment. Although it would be hard to describe Murnau's film as 'frightening', it does retain a creepiness that you won't easily forget. It still is quite unsettling, perhaps more so because of its age. The make-up and special effects may be primitive, but they have a power to them that modern filmmakers could certainly learn from. The simple, rat-like make-up on the vampire, and the glorious in-camera tricks, with different speeds, film running backwards, etc. The tinting effects are particularly ingenious, once you acclimatize yourself to them. It is also closer to the book Dracula than any screen adaptation since, including Ford Coppola's rather eroneously titled 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' of a few years back. Shame they didn't ask permission, but would have been a greater shame had modern audiences had to pay the price... Most copies of the film were burned. Luckily for us, at least one survived. Probably the most famous scene is of the vampire walking invisibly up-stairs casting his shadow on the wall. But there are many other fine set-pieces that would give most horror film makers with their CGI and massive budgets food for thought. Particularly the (blue-tinted) scenes at sea, as the vampire makes his journey to Bremmen on the ship. Woooooooooh. Nosferatu doesn't use shock very much. There's no "Ooooh look, he's behind you!" moments so prevalent in contemporary horror. Instead it opts for eeriness and strangeness, and gets under your skin much better. And means that you can watch it again and again without diminishing returns. (Once you know where the boogyman is in a slasher picture, he loses some of his horror) The restoration is a top job, and with this double disc set the movie has got the attention it deserves. The extras are mostly good things to have, but it is the film itself which is most worthy of your attention. Oddly satisfying.
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Summary: A ROOM WITH A VIEW
Review: Lost, found, forgotten, remade and now the subject of a new feature film with a novel plot twist (which is... what if Max Schreck really was a vampire?) NOSFERATU is, put simply, one of the best. Release in 1921, a full ten years before Lugosi and UNIVERSAL released what the world would come to know as the modern vampire, F.W. Murnau gave Europe the original. Most have never seen this movie - and still more have seen parts of this film... from music videos (UNDER PRESSURE by QUEEN and David Bowie), to commericals, to politcal satire (check out BOO! on the UNIVERSAL FRANKENSTIEN DVD), to film references (in case you missed it, in BATMAN RETURNS - Batman battles not only Catwoman and Penguin - but Max Schreck, played by Christopher Walken). Now it gets it own DVD and it's a fine package all around. An excellent transfer/restoration of the film - as well as two musical scores. The first is by the SILENT ORCHESTRA which updates and adds some real emotion to go along with the visuals (in 5.0 Dolby Digital no less - beautiful). The second, and organ track by Timothy Howard that caputres the original movie house feel. Also included - a tour of locations used in the film both then and now. A map of Germany from 1921, as well a text information on effects and cast. Also included, and perhaps the highlight of all the features is an audio essay (and yes, it's an essay - scripted and timed with the film - it remains screen specific and never wanders), by Lokke Heiss - which is very informative, offers excellent background and insight on the making, the people and what you see on the screen. Be not afraid... NOSFERATU is must for collectors and an easy buy for the casual viewer as well. I can not recommend it enough.
Rating: 
Summary: This movie is pretty boring
Review: I love old movies generally...that is why I thought that I would love this movie. I didn't. I am sure that in it's day it was really amazing. However, I can't imagine being scared by this movie. I mean, the vampire looks very creepy, but there is no suspense. I never once thought "Oh no, what's going to happen?" I even left the room and went looking for a snack. I sure wish that I had rented this movie and I sugjest that to all who are curious and I would say, yes this movie is worth renting because it is so old and has a certain artistic quality that is worth seeing once.
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Summary: An excellent edition (Nosferatu: Special Edition)
Review: I love the film Nosferatu, but to find out about the movie, there are ample reviews below, I would like to focus on this edition itself. The edition reproduces the tinting effects used in the original to convey sunrise and sunset (red), night (blue), and yellow (day). At first jarring, these effects are soon appreciated for their artistic merit, considering the date the film was made. Two audio tracks are offered, one by an ensemble called the Silent Orchestra, which utilizes multiple instruments to really capture the feel of the film, and a simple track of creepy pipe organ music, which also compliments the film nicely. An audio commentary is also available, which is nice. Then and now photos of the set locations (with commentary) are another interesting look at the world of Nosferatu. Other extras include Production stills, costume design and sketches, and a "tour of the world of NOsferatu." A great DVD edition for an incredible silent gem.
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Summary: The Best Vampire Film Ever Made
Review: In terms of mood, lighting, and just downright creepiness no version of Dracula made since has come close to this masterpiece. Max Schreck's characterization of Count Orlock comes the closest to the ancient Romanian folk tales of the "Strigoi." When you watch this film you will notice the devices that other film makers have stolen, and even with modern technology at their disposal, have used to lesser effect. Now, if you prefer to have your films spoon fed to you, and your imagination is not up to the task, then don't watch this film. to those of you who are able to dive totally into "suspension of disbelief" you will come to the same conclusion as countless others: This is the best Vampire film ever made.
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