Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror) (Nosferatu the Vampire) Reviews and Ratings


  • rayld02
    November 25, 2009
    rayld02
    This may be the most famous vampire film ever, if not, that could be the 1931 version of ?Dracula? starring Bela Lugosi, am I right or am I right? Nosferatu: eine Symphonie des Grauens (Nosferatu a Symphony of Horror) is a German horror film directed by one of the most influentia...( read more)l expressionist directors in silent era, F. W. Murnau in 1922. It stars German artist Max Schreck as Count Orlok (Dracula).

    ?Nosferatu? is basically a vampire film based on a novel by Bram Stoker called ?Dracula?. It was released almost a decade before the film ?Dracula? went out of the market.

    Certain differences in the film?s characters and events were done because consequently, the production staff failed in having Bram Stoker?s consent for his story to be put on film.

    Rumors have it that ?Nosferatu? production company was sued by the Stoker estate, acting for his widow, Florence Stoker copyright infringement and won. Because of this, copies of the film were requested to be destroyed. But, unfortunately (or should I say LUCKILY?), copies were already sold around the world before the request was released.

    A good art will never die forgotten.

    As an audience, I must say that this horror film really did, at some point frighten me. It?s that classic taste of darkness for the people of that era. Suppose you?re a 1922 audience. Disregarding the modern perception of many about horror, you will find the film so creepy. This may be one of those films that gave them chills and numerous accounts of nightmares.

    The Darkness

    Dark music, dark cinematography, dark characters, psychology, everything about this film is dark. One vital element good of a silent film is its musical score. This film has a very effective musical composition adding suspense to the movie entirely. At the start of the film, music plays with much horror and intense enigma. Then characters are introduced. Music heightens as the storyline progresses. Then there comes that emotional piece of music when Count Orlok has killed too many a people. Townsmen are in a great remorse and wish to kill the Nosferatu (vampire). At the end of the scene, there exhibited is the famous ?shadow on the wall? where the Nosferatu?s shadow seems to have a life and does the killing. Very classic, isn?t it? The cinematography is set to low lighting and too many dark areas of the screen are exposed to express that feeling of emotion, desire, or despair. The way the Count Orlok looks is pretty horrifying. Just a look at him gives you one complete classic horror experience. Conspicuously, extremely low viewpoint camera angles were used to shoot Count Orlok, especially the scene at the boat which gave that feeling of great power and superiority.

    Nosferatu is one classic vampire film that opened the eyes of society about this legendary creature. Bram Stoker in the same way should also be acknowledged for this great achievement. Many of today?s vampire films are somewhat ?overrated?.
  • flixsterman
    November 15, 2009
    flixsterman
    F.W. Murnau's treatment of Bram Stoker's Dracula has proven to be the standard by which all others are judged. Effects and techniques have certainly improved but Max Schreck's rendition is still, for me, unequaled. Simply fantastic.
  • CorpseFlower9
    November 9, 2009
    CorpseFlower9
    I just don't have the patient to sit and watch a black and white silent movie.
  • littlecharmer1959
    November 5, 2009
    littlecharmer1959
    Still holds up today and still remains incredibly creepy. Max Schreck creates an icon of the horror film with his repulsive take on Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'. The effects and lighting make it visually stunning, whilst the story is expertly paced. The only thing that disappointed m...( read more)e slightly was the version I saw had a somewhat annoying gothic/industrial soundtrack, which is reason enough why I need to see this again.
  • gcerda88
    November 4, 2009
    gcerda88
    A classic to most people, but I did like it myself. I am not sure if this is the best of vampire movies, but it certainly is the creepiest I have ever seen. Never take Silent films for granite here.
  • xPadacklesx
    November 2, 2009
    xPadacklesx
    Glad i finally watched a silent movie and found it interesting but......
  • lunadevalois
    November 2, 2009
    lunadevalois
    best vampire movie ever. ehhee :)
  • jim222001us
    November 1, 2009
    jim222001us
    A real estate agent sets out to sell the house across the street to Count Orlok who's more interested in the neck of the agents wife than he is in the house. Nosferatu manages to still work after decades. It's creepy and surprisingly very well made despite being from the 1920's.
  • alexroy69
    October 29, 2009
    alexroy69
    Ce classique, qui a propulsé Murnau vers la gloire tout en lui amenant un procès de la part de la veuve de Bram Stoker, a bien failli ne pas survivre lorsque cette dernière a ordonné la destruction de tous les négatifs originaux. Fort heureusement, il est aujourd'hui enfin dispon...( read more)ible sous sa forme originale, sans coupures et avec l'accompagnement musical approprié. On peut donc vivre le film à peu près comme l'ont vécu les spectateurs de l'époque, moins la naïveté devant un art nouveau.

    Il faut évidemment regarder cette oeuvre en ayant le contexte en tête; il est facile de décrocher si l'on s'attarde trop au jeu caricatural des acteurs qui est typiquement expressionniste. Mais je suppose que quiconque se lance dans un film muet est assez intelligent pour faire la part des choses. "Nosferatu" est un petit chef-d'oeuvre d'ambiance. Encore aujourd'hui le personnage fait frissonner de dégoût. Il y a quelque chose de proprement réel chez lui, quelque chose de crédible qui ne s'atteint pas par des prouesses de maquillage.

    C'est également l'un des films muets les plus digestes que j'aie vus. L'histoire déboule assez rapidement et il y a peu voire pas de temps morts ou de longueurs. Le tout est très "compact". Ce n'est pas le film le plus purement expressionniste de Murnau, donc les fans de "Caligari" n'y trouveront pas la même esthétique éclatée. Ça vaut cependant vraiment la peine d'être vu, ne serait-ce qu'en tant qu'ancêtre du film d'épouvante, mais aussi en tant que trace historique d'un art en pleine expansion. Et franchement, c'est tout de même un bon divertissement.
  • paultheitie
    October 29, 2009
    paultheitie
    an absolute classic for the genre and still maintains a melancholic ambience, murnau introduces his aesthetic of striking images to wonderful acclaim, its cultural resonance remains subtle and yet powerful all the same
  • webalina
    October 27, 2009
    webalina
    The first, and arguably the scariest, adaptation of the Bram Stoker novel Dracula. The Stoker estate sued to get this film stopped, so some names and minor plot points were changed, as well as moving the action from England to Germany. But otherwise, it's the same story. The main...( read more) difference between the film and most of the adaptations that follow is Max Schreck as the vampire. He is not debonair or seductive or even tuxedo-clad. No, he is tall and skeletal, more rat than human. The scene where he is standing in the hallway and walking towards the camera into the doorway spooks me every time, as does the shot of his face peering through the boards of his dilapidated casket in the basement of his home.. Yes, it moves slow at times, but some interesting effects and camera work along whith Schreck's performance still make this one of the classic horror movies of all time for me.
  • svmainus
    October 25, 2009
    svmainus
    From 1922 this silent film though in need of some serious restoration, was still very enjoyable to watch. Greta Schroder is lovely as Nina, Max Schreck as Orlok is creepy and sinister. A must see for silent film buffs.
  • ElCochran90
    October 15, 2009
    ElCochran90
    "Is this your wife? What a lovely throat."

    NOSFERATU, EINE SYMPHONIE DES GRAUENS (1922)


    Director: F.W. Murnau
    Country: Germany
    Genre: Horror
    Length: 94 minutes

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    Cinema giant F.W. Murnau directed, in 1922, one of the most passionate, expressionistic and symbolic stories of romance that have ever conquered the screen... with a horror twist. Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens belongs to any list of the top horror films ever made in the history of the motion picture. Its power, glory, dedication and visual style, characteristics that directly belong to the cinematic movement called German Expressionism, are unprecedented talents that put its name in a constantly referenced form of cinematic expression thanks to the poetically literary boundaries this film imposed in the art of filmmaking, boundaries that had never been established before. That is the main source of its audacity and ambition, signs of the work of a genius that attempted to create one of the scariest and darkest tales of its time. Following the tradition of the already mentioned German Expressionism, the film ventures into the vast and deep realm of the human mind and deals with the dangerous inner demons that tend to haunt the soul. This time, this demon is real. This time, it is depicted as a breathing being. During this process, Murnau unbelievably perfects the direction style and technical ambition that Robert Wiene's eternal masterpiece Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari. (1920) possessed. This film and its influence will last for an eternity, highlighting the art of the movie making process and strengthening the bizarre and paranoid journey the premise of the film originally attempted to offer.

    Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens is based on the story of Dracula and focuses on the character of Count Orlok, a vampire who is believed to have brought the plague to Bremen around the year of 1838 and who has recently shown interest in a residence located in Transylvania. Much to the newlyweds' sadness and discomfort, Hutter is forced to leave her wife Ellen for a wife since he is hired by his employer to arrange the Count's purchase of the aforementioned house. When the Count finds out about the beauty of her newlywed, he attacks Hutter and immediately moves into the house across from the Hutters'. Will Hutter be able to arrive soon to save her beloved fiancée, or will she be subject to a bizarre passion and to a terrible fate?

    F.W. Murnau's approach to both the genre and the plot results in an authentic and memorable symphony of horror. It gently reaches the mysterious realm where reality and the dream world collide, performing a beautiful orchestra concert. It also may be called as a precursor of the film-noir genre since the film demanded a visually captivating and effective use of a creepy mix of light and darkness, the darkness that separated Count Orlok and his macabre environment from a German society that supposedly was meant to represent a helpless, agnostic and degraded flock of possible victims. Horror is depicted in the scariest and darkest way possible, bringing along the arguably scariest scenes ever filmed. Although the film has been subject to several tinted versions throughout its worldwide editions and release dates, its auteur signature has caused to keep its original psychological horror and its iconic images.

    The typical theatrical performances are still present in the film. Deviating from the elegant, discreet and stereotypically handsome Hollywood portrayal of the character Dracula, immediately causing the audience to remind the performance of Bela Lugosi in Tod Browning's 1931 version, Max Schreck is the vampire Count Orlok. He became a cinema icon that has established a numerously referenced character. Murnau attempted and achieve to show Dracula in its scariest and most unpleasant form, giving him an unforgettably disgusting physical appearance, an appearance highlighted by its effective makeup and custom design that would cause to positively aggravate the horror involved in the story. His mere presence imposes an authoritarian terror to the screen. Murnau also divided both the feature film and the human mind into layers, taking the strength of the human relationships, love, passion, evil, obsession and heroism. Latterly, he put together both types of layers like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. These pieces were combined with a surreal and noticeably religious perspective, but not necessarily adapting a specific religion in particular. It lets the aesthetics of this gorgeous piece of art to flow smoothly and to discreetly play the role. The environment has the modest function of enlightening these emotions, a fact that would obviously coincide with a necessary climatic ending sequence that resorted to the most famous myths of vampires. The castle, the necks, a pair of long, hungry teeth, the crosses, the solitude and darkness of the night and the illuminating sunlight gently entering through a window with a view of the city until reaching a fervent heat and color are present elements that allowed the pace of the film to reach a marvelous level of amazement.

    Naturally, it may not scare as it used to do. However, some audiences may feel particularly surprised after witnessing the level of brilliance and cinematic originality it reached because of its own merits. The modern archetype of the vampire figure has been inevitably degraded to a shocking degree, portraying the elegant antagonist in a monstrous form, from Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula (1992) to the mindless Underworld (2003) franchise. Nosferatu, eine Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens is a reminder of the magical originality that was originated from the correct and accurate adaptation by F.W. Murnau and writer Henrik Galeen of Bram Stoker's novel, a gorgeous sample of literary poetry at its purest form. Ultimately, it is one of the strongest candidates for the best film ever made and quite possible the best silent film of German Expressionism. Before reaching new heights through the direction and unprecedented ambition of Fritz Lang (Metropolis [1927], Frau im Mond [1929]) regarding the science-fiction genre, Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens is a deliciously satisfying experience full of talents that make it a morbid view towards the beauty of life and the obsession of disproportionate human emotions, carrying along tragic consequences, those typical of a Greek tale. It is horror in its purest and most fascinating depiction, not to mention a feast for the senses and a distorted portrayal of grim reality.

    100/100
  • CHILIcheeseDONUTSwithTUNAonTOP
    September 5, 2009
    CHILIcheeseDONUTSwithTUNAonTOP
    A distinctly different telling of Dracula. Count "Orlock" is nothing like that character created by Lugosi and continued by Christopher Lee. This count is far more creepy; almost rat-like. But this version, to me, is the definitive version of this story. Just look at that picture...( read more) of him - its far creepier than anything of modern times (though Gary Olman did a good job combining this look with the Lugosi look in the 1992 version). The film techniques are similar to those found in others of the time like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari or The Golem, but even with its heavy use of shadows it still not nearly as strange as those The Vampyre. Be sure to watch Shadow of the Vampire immediately following Nosferatu.
  • donaldwhite1
    August 16, 2009
    donaldwhite1
    This was the first film version of Bram Stoker's Dracula. It\'s a silent film with crude special effects, but there are a few classic scenes that defined the vampire character. The movie ends abruptly by having the vampire destroyed by sunlight. This was the first time this weakn...( read more)ess of the vampire was used. Not a very good ending. The best part of the movie is the way it linked deadly epidemics to the vampire myth. There is a strange scene with an African hyena. I guess this was supposed to be some kind of supernatural wolf. The German company that made it tried to get around the copyright laws of that time by changing the location of the story and changing all the character's names. Bram Stoker's widow sued anyway and won. She tried to have all copies of this film destroyed but a few copies survived. The movie is now public domain, therefore; there are many DVD versions available. I've got a cheap version with no special features but a good copy of the film. You might want to get one of the newer versions with special features and a cleaned up copy of the film.
  • vampiregurrl
    August 4, 2009
    vampiregurrl
    nosferatu is so awwesome!
  • polifemoblue
    August 3, 2009
    polifemoblue
    El expresionismo alemán, y la maetría de F.W. Murnau.
  • MurderCapital
    August 2, 2009
    MurderCapital
    "Nosferatu" is to my knowledge the first full-length vampire movie ever made, if not, it sure is the first film version of 'Dracula'. Taking the story of Bram Stoker's "Dracula", just changing words like 'vampire' to 'nosferatu' (romanian for 'vampire') and the name 'Count Dracul...( read more)a' to 'Count Orlok' this movie tells us a very simplified version of the classic tale of Dracula. But, even if the movie is dated now, it's still has some good memorable scenes and Max Schreck is just awesome and scary as Count Orlok. Well worth seeing if you don't mind silent films and classical horror.
  • sanjurosamurai
    July 31, 2009
    sanjurosamurai
    the first great horror film is still a bit frightening nearly 90 years after its release. the poor picture quality adds to the terror making this a film timely made, and the story and running time are perfect for a silent film. a classic that must be seen.
  • remmid0889
    July 24, 2009
    remmid0889
    It was the first still movie I ever fully watched. I think it was pretty entertaining and even had a creppy part. Not to mention what? it's like the first vampire movie right?? gotta give it cred
  • ohagankieran
    July 22, 2009
    ohagankieran
    Nosferatu, as well as being one of my outright favourite movies of all time, it remains the second most creepiest movie I have ever seen (losing out to Inland Empire obviously), from beginning to end it has this macabre, eerie look that never lets up, And with so many contemporar...( read more)y horror films relying on loud noises to scare you, this one has a suttle quietness and after all it is a silent film but that only enhances the atmosphere and makes you feel like your in a nightmare, that wicked shadow ascending the staircase, the shape of Dracula coming through the doorway which barely fits his body, these are images which you don't forget, they have all become popular screenshots for years to come and perhaps for all time.
    By far the greatest movie of the silent era.
  • frncsbrennan
    July 20, 2009
    frncsbrennan
    I saw this on the big screen in San Francisco. The best vampire movie I've seen.
  • imagination22
    July 15, 2009
    imagination22
    Outdated and very drawn out. However, it succeeds in being creepy in places - they are few and far between.
  • daninini1
    July 4, 2009
    daninini1
    one of the best vampire movies!!
  • Lerch0783
    June 27, 2009
    Lerch0783
    A brilliantly made film!!! This is a film that I have been wanting to see for the longest time and finally did last night and boy was I impressed. Now...I definitely don't think this is a film for everyone. Due to the fact that it was made in 1922 I know a lot of people don't hav...( read more)e the open mind to watch a film that is so old. But if you do have that open mind and you can understand that this was much different when viewed back in 1922 watch it. It's a great film...wonderfully made. This is what you call film making...this is without CGI help and without a lot of the luxuries that directors have today. Not only that...this is actually a pretty creepy film. Not scary by any means but it's eerily creepy even without the CGI. Which probably actually makes it more scary because it's all real and not computer. This is my first silent film...and this film makes me want to watch more silent films. ;) It was great...you didn't really need a lot of dialogue because you could read everything in the actors faces. The acting was magnificent. They did a great job at over selling their reactions which is needed in a silent film. I was very impressed with everything that this film threw out. I was very surprised actually. I haven't watched many of the "classic" films. Ones from way before mine or even my parents day. This is by far the oldest film I have seen now. Anyways...like I said...it won't be for everyone. But it is a great film...a classic and I recommend it to every fan of film making...true film making.
  • mollyhey
    June 24, 2009
    mollyhey
    Want to see this sooo bad!
  • MrOrange8590
    June 23, 2009
    MrOrange8590
    i hate to say no to a classic, but... no
  • zardoz3
    June 18, 2009
    zardoz3
    A landmark epic in vampire cinema. If you crave vampire movies and you haven't seen Nosferatu, turn in your fangs!
  • TheBeginningAndTheEnd
    June 16, 2009
    TheBeginningAndTheEnd
    Better than Lugosi's Dracula. This one's actually scary...even today.
  • vampkatt65
    June 13, 2009
    vampkatt65
    Sparkle, my ass! Now, THIS is a Vampire! Look for the remastered version with soundtrack music by Type O Negative, it's fantastic!
  • rhaechyne
    June 9, 2009
    rhaechyne
    anyone that absolutely hates old movies, silent films especially, need not watch. If you're looking for a nice in color, modern day, spoken word movie that goes along with this classic vamp flick, try Shadow of the Vampire. Black comedy about the supposed "making" of this movie. ...( read more)Hilarious if you like that sort of thing. I believe Willem Dafoe and John Malkovich star.
  • Lilbrowncat
    June 4, 2009
    Lilbrowncat
    Remains fresh and eerie after almost a century!
  • helwigs
    June 2, 2009
    helwigs
    One of the required horror movies, or vampyre movies. Not bad considering what year it was made.
  • 89Richter
    May 31, 2009
    89Richter
    Expresionismo alemán. La primer adaptación al celuloide del vampiro Drácula. Escalofriante.
  • Jriff87
    May 26, 2009
    Jriff87
    Gloomy castles, tenebrous landscapes, ugly vampires...this is where it all began. Max Schreck's Count Orlock--a rodent-like, rail-thin and sickly-looking vampire--is such a startling figure, it's no wonder this movie has influenced similar vampires, and it continues to be thoroug...( read more)hly entertaining and suspenseful. Watching this movie is an unique experience. It transports you to another world, and with scenes like Orlock's shadow tiptoeing creepily across the stairs, and his presence in the doomed ship are mind-searingly memorable.
  • wolfwarrioress333
    May 19, 2009
    wolfwarrioress333
    Very scary vampire movie O_O
  • superseth39
    May 17, 2009
    superseth39
    best dracula movie ever!!!
  • kryztal82
    May 16, 2009
    kryztal82
    Not too shabby for a classic. If i wasn't prone to horror movies today, it would have totally given me chills!
  • wmjtobin
    May 13, 2009
    wmjtobin
    Murnau's silent gem, to me, the ONLY Vampire movie, as frightening today, as it was in 1922.
  • fjavig87
    May 11, 2009
    fjavig87
    muy buena..y da mucho miedo...para la epoca,en verdad ese actor sin maquillaje ya parece vampiro
  • aftermathdayafter
    May 11, 2009
    aftermathdayafter
    This is how horror movies should be
  • poidrot
    April 14, 2009
    poidrot
    Todo un classico , no puede faltar en la coleccion ...
  • richardcaulcutt
    April 10, 2009
    richardcaulcutt
    It is the one the only and the original i uess the film is so amazingthat is because it's the first of it's kind its basically the first horror movie it is amzing spine chillingand it scared te crap out of me but I still want to watch it anothr million times watch it for youself ...( read more)and you'll knwo the feeling ...
  • cherokeedonna83
    April 8, 2009
    cherokeedonna83
    THE MOST EXCELLENT VAMPIRE MOVIE EVER MADE !
  • onidemon
    April 3, 2009
    onidemon
    Hell yeah. THis was what vampires were before teenage girls ruined them.
  • hanselbautista
    April 1, 2009
    hanselbautista
    The first great silent Vampire movie ever...
  • DerekA101
    March 26, 2009
    DerekA101
    Nosferatu is a classic 1922 silent film that is often revered as one of the greatest horror films of all time. It is based off Bram Stroker's book Dracula.

    Silent films are a bit troublesome to watch in this generation, but this is one of the few that engages and ...( read more)flows smoothly. Actors in silent films were very talented in using over-animated facial expressions to replace words.

    The director, F.W. Murnau, did a fine job building suspense and creating a creepy, sinister vampire in Count Orlok. He was terrifying without all the heavy CGI and without all the blood and guts of modern vampires. The score as well is mesmerizing and builds tension masterfully.

    Even though it's a bit outdated, Nosferatu is an important landmark film in the horror genre.

    "Is this your wife? What a lovely throat."

Summary

Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror) (Nosferatu the Vampire) Summary