Original Horror Movie ‘Nosferatu’ From 1922 Is Streaming for Free

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As a seasoned movie critic with over three decades of film-viewing under my belt, I can confidently say that any true horror enthusiast worth their salt should indulge in the original 1922 German masterpiece, “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror”, before diving into Robert Eggers’ fresh take on Christmas day.

Diehard fans of horror movies should definitely catch the 1922 German horror classic, famously known as Nosferatu, before they see Robert Eggers’ new take on it, releasing this Christmas. Fortunately, you can stream the original version of Count Orlock’s chilling tale for free on platforms like Vudu, Hoopla, Freevee, and others. This unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 Gothic horror novel is a must-watch and is renowned as one of the first truly terrifying movies ever made in the early days of cinema. Although Count Orlock isn’t exactly like Dracula, they share similarities in their enduring portrayal of the iconic vampire figure.

The film “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror,” directed by F.W. Murnau, is a silent horror production from the 1920s. At that time, full-length films were relatively novel to most viewers. However, while many spectators were still grappling with the concept of cinema, Murnau, along with other horror filmmakers of the era, was pioneering an entirely new genre within the medium. By skillfully leveraging the multisensory nature of film, he aimed to evoke genuine fear in his viewers.

The tale of Count Orlock has endured as a significant influence on horror writers worldwide and transcended into popular culture through recurring references such as his depiction in SpongeBob SquarePants. Now, Eggers is resurrecting the vampire’s fame, but before the contemporary filmmaker ventures into uncharted territories, you can delve into its original roots. For your ease, we’ve embedded the movie right here (via TCM).

Reviews From Horror Fans Put the 1922 Version Into Perspective

Cinema enthusiasts are flocking to Letterboxd to critique a free-to-stream horror movie ahead of its upcoming release next week. Numerous users commend the black-and-white silent film for its timeless appeal and incorporate humorous segments. User Jeroen Witjes expresses his appreciation in these words:

After finally carving out some time to watch both traditional and less traditional versions of Dracula movies in anticipation for Eggers’ updated Nosferatu. To clarify, I’m referring to the original Nosferatu film. For its time, it was remarkable as a horror movie, an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and an (unsuccessful) effort to skirt around copyright issues. Other than that, there’s not much more to add except that it remains very engaging. Interestingly enough, I learned that this is also the birthplace of the horror-comedy genre. The scene where Count Orlok carries his own coffin through the city streets is a classic example and quite amusing. It’s a pity for poor Orlok; he could have done with some help from servants.

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself pondering about the impact “this” classic film might have had on viewers in 1922. Reflecting on this thought, NickBossRoss muses, “Imagine my mind, it would have been scattered to the winds watching this back then!” Meanwhile, Callisto marvels at the progress of cinema, stating, “It’s hard to fairly evaluate such an ancient film in terms of technique, but I found myself captivated nonetheless. At times, it seemed to lag a bit, but that mirrors the source material faithfully. Watching it, I couldn’t help but notice how the outside world turned an eerie blue, matching the nighttime scenes – quite a strange and surreal experience.

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2024-12-23 19:03