Exploring the Eerie Brilliance of 'Nosferatu'
In the haunting film Nosferatu: ‘A Symphony of Horror’, estate agent Hutter gets a job offer to go to Transylvania to deal with the strange Count Orlok. When Orlok acquires a house next to Hutter the shades of evil are cast upon him. Unbeknownst to them, Orlok is a ‘Nosferatu’ or more wisely known as a vampire, who brings terror and death and a looming illness to Hutter’s town.
The movie ‘Nosferatu’, can be classified under the gothic horror flick with the mood which complements the plot and is passionately backed by the expressionistic imagery. The mood is predominantly dark, with ominous shadows and silence creating anxiety and the feeling of fear.
Max Schreck’s portrayal of Count Orlok is possibly the best portrayal of any vampire movies up to date. Hutter is portrayed by Gustav von Wangenheim and Ellen by Greta Schröder; both act out desperation of the human race against evil forces.:F.W. Murnau direction is simply superb. His utilization of shadow and light gives the character a tangible feel that makes great use of German expressionism and results in inexpressible fear. As fantasy and horror blend in Murnau’s masterpiece, cinema’s overall impact is unforgettable Some of the music pieces are actual orchestral scores that best fit the silent movie of ‘Nosferatu’. The musical score can be said to complement the visuals presented in this movie thus helping to create a rather suspenseful feel about the movie.
The style of shooting the film is revolutionary bringing out bright contrasts and very strong emphasis on black and white shades which creates depth to the rather suspense instigating narrative. One of the most memorable aspects in ‘Nosferatu’ is Count Orloks’s looming appearance is very effective achieved through the innovative camera work and lighting.
Another aspect that characterizes ‘Nosferatu’ is the nearly barren settings of most of the scenes and yet it is very effective – the gothic villainy of Count Orlok is clearly reflected in somewhat minimalist shading and gloom. The settings are both otherworldly and sinister, adding to the film’s dark atmosphere.
Considering the period in which it was made, the special effects visible in ‘Nosferatu’ are somewhat primitive as compared to what is now commonly seen and yet are quite suitable for their allegorical nature. It can be seen that features like Orlok’s ghostly appearance keep the simple things intact in touching the element of horror.
It may also be deduced that the ‘Nosferatu’ is perfectly oiled as far as the horror direction is concerned as the narrative is given a well-paced and perfect cut. It keeps tension at a good level, increasing and abruptly resulting in a few thrilling and scary scenes. This corresponds quite well with building suspense, as the audience is able to be fully enveloped in the tense, eerie atmosphere of the film. The few and tense conversations that are used further stress essential story moments and retain the gloomy atmosphere of the movie, making the viewers to shift attention to the visual side.
Despite the fact that now the movie may seem too slow, it is necessary to appreciate the usage of the effects and pioneer approach to the visual horror in cinema. While some may be put off by the absence of dialogue, for those patient enough it becomes a chance to embrace silent film.
‘Nosferatu’ is as close as it gets to the idea of a nightmare – one of the best examples of the early horror films. With its striking imagery which gives audience a nightmare, and the great performance of Max Schreck, the film remains one of the most important horror films which are unique today. Definitely something that every horror lover should watch.
