Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922)

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:

Castle | Good Versus Evil | Goth | Stylized | Rats

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) | Belgium:85 min | UK:88 min (1997 restored version) | 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:

Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Nova Scotia) (DVD rating) (video rating) | Canada:13+ (Ontario) | Finland:(Banned) (1922) | Finland:K-12 (1987) | 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:

Many scenes featuring Graf Orlok were filmed during the day, and when viewed in black and white, this becomes extremely obvious. This potential blooper is corrected when the "official" versions of the movie are tinted blue to represent night.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): The captain of the ship carrying Nosferatu ties himself to the wheel with a 'granny knot' (which may slip loose), rather than the correct sailors 'reef knot'. Knot is clearly visible at 52:00 min on the DVD.

Quotes:

Graf Orlok: Blood! Your precious blood!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Little Monsters (1989)

A Distinctive & Memorable Version of the 'Dracula' Legend

F.W. Murnau's version of the 'Dracula' legend still remains as distinctive and memorable as ever. The enjoyable Bela Lugosi version is perhaps easier to watch, and strictly as light entertainment it might work better, and many later versions brought their own interpretations - but nothing matches "Nosferatu" for its engrossingly morbid atmosphere and its unusual interpretation of the main character.

Max Schreck and Murnau were able to create an image of the vampire that remains in your mind long after seeing it. Regardless of whether it or some other conception is closest to the 'true' Dracula (if such a thing even exists), it is quite effective, and it was particularly well-conceived for a silent screen version that cannot rely on dialogue to define a character. The settings and the story perfectly complement Schreck's weird character, creating an atmosphere full of constant strangeness, uncertainty, and foreboding.

It's unnecessary (and probably impossible) to make detailed comparisons among all the film versions of the Dracula character and legend. "Nosferatu" stands perfectly well on its own, as a unique and skillfully done adaptation of the story, and as one of the memorable classics of the silent era.