Are you a Twilight fangirl/boy? Meh. Follower of True Blood? Pfft. No offense, but you might not have what it takes to survive Wed. night's showing of the silent German horror classic Nosferatu (1922). I know what you're thinking: "Silent? German? 1922? Ugh, I bet it's in black and white, with subtitles. I'll stay home and watch Vampire Diaries." Time to man up, bring some garlic, and not miss the chance to see a horror classic up on the big screen. The black and white and lack of dialog should only enhance the foreboding atmosphere.
Nosferatu holds its place in cinematic history as one of the first horror films, among other German films like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and the Golem. Director F.W. Murnau gained notoriety with his vampire flick by pretty much stealing the story from Bram Stoker's Dracula. Stoker's widow was not pleased, and took legal action against Murnau's unauthorized adaptation, destroying all prints and negatives of the film she could get her hands on. That's why several different versions of the film exist today, each one claiming to be the latest, definitive cut.
Despite his underhanded intentions, Murnau's work incorporated thoroughly original photography techniques and special effects. Nosferatu would influence countless future vampire films, including the unforgettable Dracula (1931) starring Bela Lugosi and directed by Louisville's own Tod Browning. Murnau also prompted prolific modern auteur Werner Herzog to do a remake with the terrifying Klaus Kinski in 1979. Come see what drove these filmmakers to replicate the macabre image of the Vampyr. The show starts at 7 PM, Wed. night 10/19 at the Clifton Center. Bevare ze creatures of ze night... BeVARE!
Photo: Flickr/grandguignol
