Rating: 
Summary: Nosferatu- A nice restoration !
Review: I recently purchased a newly restored and remastered version of the original silent version of "Nosferatu". Although it is not absoutely perfect, it comes pretty close. The print that was used was pretty clear and I found it not quite as dark as the previous version on laser disc was. I also like the intertitles and the original tints. If you wish to listen to a new 5.0 audio track there is a new score that really adds some additional chills. And last but definately not least there are some additional supplementary extras that add some more history to the making of the film {although I would have liked to have had more information on the actor who portrayed Nosferatu-Max Shreck}! I thoroughly enjoy watching this film and never tire of it. I recommend this film wholeheartedly.
Rating: 
Summary: A definative Dracula!
Review: I have to agree with what another viewer wrote and say that what I believe made this such a scary film comes from our childhood fears. Watching this movie late at night and alone. I cannot tell you how wrapped up in the musical soundtract as well as the "dark" photography I got. It was incredible and some of the scenes are just sooooo well done. When the Harker character seeks out the coffin of the vampire and sees count Orlok peering out of a crack in the coffin it is positively freightening. Another incredible scene is later on the ship when a crew member goes below to destroy the count. He starts hacking at the cargo and out comes the rats after he busts a hole in the crate and straight as a pole rises count orlok out of his coffin. The counts rat like appearance, long finger nails and huntch back gives him a most gruesome look. He reminds me of the perverted lurker on a street corner who snatches children. As another viewer put it,he offers the audiance "dangerous candy" that is difficult to resist. It is the first film in years to give me nightmares. If you love classic films or are a true collector into the horror genre, get this film.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning restoration.
Review: Saw advance of this classic at film festival, on same bill with "Shadow of a Vampire", and was quite impressed with restoration. Great black & white visuals plus newly written soundtrack. A must have for collectors of classic film.
Rating:
Summary: With all due respect, this film beats "Dracula(1931)" up
Review: A terrorfying blood-chilling silent horror milestone. I will tell you how I saw this film. Me and my buddies wanted to make a home documentory on monster movies, classic ones. For vampire films, we got "The Fearless Vampire Killers", "Dracula", we dug up an old mexican film "The Vampire and the Ballareina", and best of all "Nosferatu". We loved the later. The story is like "Dracula". A young man is sent out to do bissness with Count Orlock. Count Orlock buys a house in his neighborhood. The trouble is just starting. He brings with him a deadly plauge. You know the rest. This film is great. It has not aged a day. I reccomend it to anyone who likes a good scair.
Rating: 
Summary: Film varies depending on who publishes
Review: A 1922 Dracula knockoff that became a benchmark. Directed by FW Maurnau and starring an actor using the assumed name "Max Shreck".Originally titled "Nosferatu - Eine Symphonie Des Grauens",(but subsequently availible under a slew of psuedonyms, including "horror of dracula") and possibly no longer availible in its original edit, this 1922 silent masterpiece ironically came closest to matching the context of Stoker's novel, even while it tried to change character names and plot details to prevent copyright infirngement (a sebsequent lawsuit almost saw the destruction of every existing copy, and henceforth it has been almost impossible to track down the original version.) The origins of some of the video released versions of Nosferatu are dubious. Most do not use the dark-tinting filter that the film was supposed to be shown with (hence, many scenes of Orlok creeping down alleys in the moonlight are revealed to be shot in broad daylight, and look absolutely ridiculous), and the questionable Republic Pictures version has altered narrative screens that refer to the vampire Orlok as "Dracula", and to the hero as "Jonathon"). The Film's greatest asset is shady actor Max Shreck's nightmare incarnation of the rat-faced Count Graf Orlok, with his long claws and piercing eyes, who remains one of the creepiest screen incarnation of Dracula ever. Almost any of the few scenes that feature him are directed with a magnificent omninence, and have been a benchmark for all film vampires to follow since. Early uses of special effects (including, in some versions, negative film and stop motion effects), and of course the classic rigid-as-a-pole-rise-up-from-the-coffin scene that was copied directly in Bram Stoker's Dracula. There are some laughable filming errors, and alot of silly overacting that ruins a few scenes. The dubbed soundtrack to the Republic Pictures release is truly awful, and probably not part of the original film. Classic creepiness, but those without patience or an open mind will find this masterpiece dated.
Rating:
Summary: Count Orlok is on the prowl!
Review: Being a big fan of these old horror movies, I had read a lot about Nosferatu but never thought I would get the chance to see it. Even though it is a silent film, the organ music is captivating and some of the scenes leave you spellbound! It was definitely a spinoff of Dracula. Having seen that 1931 classic, I was able to keep up with Nosferatu even better. Too bad this movie didn't have sound. Some scenes were really creepy, particulary Orlok emerging from his coffin in the bowels of the ship, coming out of the hold amid the sea of rats, and sneaking to the old home he purchased, carrying his coffin. This was my first silent film to ever watch, and I wasn't disappointed. Count Orlok's look was genuinely creepy, to say the least. And how fitting that the actor who portrayed the count had the last name of Schreck. Wonderful effort, considering it was 1922. Saving this film, even though it was clearly plagarism, preserves the history and genre of the early horror films. A must see for horror movie buffs!
Rating:
Summary: One of the creepiest films of all time
Review: The two creepiest films of all time, Nosferatu and the reality based "M", are two films from the German expressionist era. Hollywood has never been able to duplicate the creepy, mysterious and eerie atmosphere of these films. The true terror of this film, which also relies heavily on shadows and darkness to convey additional terror, is due to the wonderful actor Max Schreck. Murnau could not have made a better casting choice. Even the remake with Klaus Kinski in 1979, cannot compare. Schreck's makeup and presense is truly the most frightening apparition that exists in motion picture history. Some may argue this with Lon Chaney's Phantom, but that character was still a human. The character that Schreck represents, Count Orlok, is an evil and monstrous entity which is "undead." Instead of a gory, bloody, Dr Phibes or Freddie Krueger face, we have a true rendition of a zombie-like creature with a face and formidible presense that would scare the dead!! For you curiosity seekers, I did some investigation on the web about Heir Schreck, he was actually a veteran of stage and 40 German films, of which most are very obscure, he was also married. Fortunately, this movie has put him in modern conscience today (see "Batman Returns", Tim Burton named his Christopher Walken villan Max Schreck in homage). I think the charm of this film is that Max is a mysterious character and there is a rumor (I don't know how it started) that his name, "Schreck", is not his real name. It probably got started because the word "schreck" also means "terror" in German, a nice coincidence. Actually "Max Schreck" WAS his real name, he was born in Berlin in 1879 and died in 1936 and I've seen pictures of him without his makeup (picture a cross between Boris Karloff and Buster Keaton).
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece Of The Cinema.
Review: F.W. Murnau's "Nosferatu" remains the greatest of all vampire movies. It is a haunting, visually stunning experience and one of first true visual masterpieces in the history of film. Max Schreck is the best vampire I have ever seen in a movie because unlike the usual Draculas (well, here for copyright reasons it's Count Orlock), his is scary as hell. He makes Hannibal Lecter look like a sissy! Murnau presents some of the most haunting and hypnotic gothic images ever filmed and his story rarely needs the typical title card where the dialogue appears because just by looking, we know what's going on, we are drawn in and captured. It remains a creepy little gem. The only movie to even come near its effect is Werner Herzog's 1979 color remake. Murnau's film is an example of true art in the cinema, of real storytelling and building of atmosphere through sheer images. When film historians and critics look back at the beginnings of filmmaking, "Nosferatu" will forever be mentioned. It ranks among "M," "The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari" and "Metropolis" as one of the great German works, and among all movies is a giant. It deserves more than one viewing, it will draw you back for a second viewing.
Rating:
Summary: Creepy Classic
Review: Despite the German names, this is the classic silent version of DRACULA. Max Schreck makes a perfectly creepy Dracula, called Orlock in this film, with his rat-like face, elongated hands, and looming shadows. This is a classic example of German Expressionism in film. The tinting and sharpness of the print makes this a silent film treasure to enjoy. The audio commentary is also very helpful for the film student. If you like silent films, this is one I highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This is an excellent movie! Max Schreck is amazingly frightening as Count Dracula, and the photography is nothing short of outstanding! Get it today.
|
