'Nosferatu' Review
‘Nosferatu’ - A Symphony of Horror - Review Because it’s such a memorable film even after being made 96 years ago, we felt that there would be no need to give it a rating as it truly is a film that you should watch. Since it shows the evolution of cinema and how it was great even without the technicalities and HD effects or even voice.
‘Nosferatu’ is a classic film that reminds you of the beauty and the true essence of cinema. Even if it is a silent movie, the construction of the soundtrack along with the simplicity of the story, liberates our senses to wonder.
A little fun fact ‘Nosferatu’ was an unauthorised version of Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’, thus the changes in the characters names, also leading to there being altercations and differences within the film.
There are 2 major details throughout the film that reflects classic mythology, the first being when ‘Hutter’ claims in a little tavern on his journey to ‘Nosferatu’ that he is on his way to the count and a group of old women express such fear, shock and scandal. This seems like a direct replication of a Greek technique mainly used in theatre of khoros. The second is also seem in classic Greek methodology which is seen when ‘Count Orlok’ goes in to a little canoe across the river, looking like a mirror image to Kharon which was a mythological character who carried the bodies of the deceased in a small boat similar to a canoe.
A terrific element in the film is the production value, such as when the director wants to show the supernatural powers of Count Orlok and speeds up the scenes it really does bring a moment of pleasure.
For a film made in 1922, the portrayal of all the characters is very well done. It’s great seeing how the lack of voice and lines meant over exaggeration in acting and movement, even brining theatrical side to the film. This was wonderfully done all the way through the story, which of course now after 96 years, does bring a comedic affect to the viewers. Nevertheless, even though it is not as scary or jumpy compared to horror films now, it still carries an essence of mystery and fear along with it. Additionally, we cannot ignore that Count Orlok is still very creepy and does create a little bit of a fright.
We also just like to mention the fantastic work of the films Orchestra, The Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra. And also thank you to the restoration done by Luciano Berriatua.
Signed, S&B
