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NOSFERATU
A Symphony of Terror
(Prana, 1922)


For me, true classic cinematic horror starts with this silent gem! Sure, it's slow, jerky, cheaply made and badly acted (except for the title role), but it stands as the first surviving screen adaptation of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" and for what it did for horror film forever after. Produced by the Prana Co. in 1921 and directed by one of Germany's most famous filmmakers Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau, the film is (dare I say it?) alive with striking imagery, not the least of which is the shocking visage of it's main character, Count Graf Orlock played by german character actor Max Schreck.
NOSFERATU: EINE SYMPHONIE DES GRAVENS (the original German release title.) is regarded as the first filmed adaptation of Stoker's novel, however there was an earlier Hungarian version (DRAKULA) by director Karoly Lithjay that has unfortunately joined the ranks of such lost classics as Lon Chaney's LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT, another vampire tale. In undertaking his version, Murnau never bothered to purchase the rights to the novel and had his writer, Henrik Galeen, to change the names and locations, keeping the basic story intact. However, by 1925, Stoker's widow Florence had won a court case against Murnau and all copies of the film were ordered destroyed. Lucky for us there was film piracy going on even then. Incedentally, the film change one item from Stoker's original text, and that change has become a basic part of the vampire legend; the idea of sunlight being able to destroy a vampire.
Murnau also strayed from the typical German cinematic style with NOSFERATU. Instead of following the trend of shooting on impressionistic sets in a studio, he opted to shoot large parts in his native Westphalia and along the Baltic coast. However, he made ample use of chilling atmosphere (Orlock's castle) and stark images (espescially in the scene where a "floating" Orlock enters Hutter/Harker's room). Another plus was his use of elongated shadows, a detail that was paid tribute quite nicely by Francis Ford Coopola in his recent BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA.
But let's face it, the real reason that most people watch and remember this film is Orlock himself. With his shaven head, his long spindly body with those talon-like fingernails, and those two pointed teeth, he stands as the embodiment of evil. One of the cool things about classic cinema is the fact that the imagery could be accomplished without the benefit of modern day special effects overkill. Just a hint went a long way in creating the horror of Orlock--the way he glides, his quick jerky movements, almost like a rat. Indeed, these movements along with those teeth make a strong rodent connection (helpful in the scene when Orlock unleases the rats from the cargo ship), giving the Count a very dangerous and feral demeanor.
NOSFERATU had the benefit of coming first and establishing the vampire as an object of unadulterated evil long before the continental formality of Bela Lugosi, long before the sexual undertones of a blood-lusting Christopher Lee, long before the onslaught of countless (no pun intended) tortured souls in the immortal grip of vampirism. It was this film that set the standard and it's influence was powerful.

ONE LAST THOUGHT!!
Two notable additions to the NOSFERATU legacy were the 1979 remake and a very Orlock-inspired vampire in the 1979 television movie version of Stephen King's "Salem's Lot". The remake (NOSFERATU-PHANTOM DER NACHT) was directed by Werner Herzog, who referred to the original film as "the most important film in the entire history of the German cinema". This version was very atmospheric with a nicely drawn portrayal of Orlack as an imprisoned soul yearning for love. It is surprising that such a subtle performance should come from notorius scenery-chewer Klaus Kinski, but he pulls it off. The film itself is lushly photographed and very atmospheric with some standout set pieces, but it moves at a snails pace. Best to fast foward to the scenes with Kinski! However, the 1979 TV season gave us a terrific adaptaion of the well-known King horror tale "Salem's Lot" starring David Soul, Lance Kerwin and a terrifically menacing James Mason. But best of all was a striking tribute to the original Orlack makeup worn by Reggie Nalder as the evil vampire Barlow. Definitely check this out, but beware of the edited video version which cuts the original 4 hours to 2. According to Stephen King, there was even talk of turning it into a weekly series, but the idea went by the wayside. It might have been cool though!

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