As a lifelong aficionado of all things eerie and otherworldly, I find myself utterly captivated by the intricate web that is the legacy of Nosferatu. Having spent countless nights immersed in the gothic splendor of German Expressionism, I’ve come to appreciate Murnau’s masterpiece as a foundational work that has left an indelible mark on the horror genre.
Robert Eggers’ eagerly awaited gothic horror movie titled “Nosferatu” is set to make winter chillier with an eerie edge. Renowned for his work on “The Witch,” “The Lighthouse,” and more recently, “The Northman,” Eggers directs this film that boasts a stellar ensemble including Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, and Willem Dafoe.
Before you bite into “Nosferatu” when it hits cinemas on Christmas Day, let me fill you in on the history behind this fresh take on the timeless vampire tale.
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Is Nosferatu a remake?
Eggers’ upcoming version of the classic “Nosferatu” tale, first brought to life over a hundred years ago, is set to hit theaters in 2024. This new film aims to reimagine the original 1922 “Nosferatu,” a silent movie directed by F.W. Murnau and starring Max Schreck as the ominous Count Orlok. The full title of the original is “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror” or, in its original German, “Nosferatu: Eine Symphonie des Grauens.” Interestingly, “Nosferatu” doesn’t refer to a character but is an old Romanian word for a vampire, possibly derived from the Romanian term “nesuferitu,” meaning “the repugnant one.
The film titled “Nosferatu” narrates the tale of a young real estate agent named Thomas Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim), who ventures to Transylvania to seal business with the enigmatic Count Orlok. As his stay progresses, Hutter starts feeling uneasy due to Orlok’s odd conduct, fearing that he could be a vampire. Upon returning home, Hutter discovers that Orlok has trailed him, and he must confront this vampire. Interestingly, it appears that Count Orlok may have a hidden connection to his spouse, Ellen (Greta Schröder). If the plot of this movie seems remarkably similar to another well-known vampire film, there’s an excellent explanation for that.
Is Nosferatu related to Dracula?
Murnau’s movie “Nosferatu” was not officially approved by Bram Stoker, but it was based on his 1897 novel “Dracula”. In the film, characters and locations were given different names, which scholars believe was either a strategy to dodge copyright issues or to make the English story more accessible for German viewers. For instance, Count Orlok stands in for Count Dracula, Thomas Hutter takes the place of Jonathan Harker, Ellen Hutter corresponds to Mina Harker, Professor Bulwer becomes Dr. Van Helsing, and so forth.
Even though Stoker had passed away in 1912, his wife, Florence, recognized the striking resemblance between the movie “Nosferatu” and “Dracula.” Consequently, she initiated a lawsuit for copyright infringement. Unfortunately, due to administrative oversights, “Dracula” was already considered public domain in the U.S., but it remained under copyright protection in Europe until 1962. As a result of the ensuing court case, “Nosferatu” had limited distribution upon its initial release. The legal battle led to Prana Film’s bankruptcy, and all existing copies of the film were ordered destroyed in 1925.
Fortunately, a handful of copies endured, with only one remaining in the United States. Since Dracula was not entitled to copyright protection in the U.S., Nosferatu could be replicated, disseminated, and screened freely, eventually gaining popularity as a cherished cult film over the years.
Over time, the story of Dracula gained widespread recognition due to many significant movie adaptations. Notable among these are Universal’s classic 1931 film featuring Bela Lugosi as the lead character, the Hammer Horror films from the 1950s with Christopher Lee in the role, and a 1992 adaptation starring Gary Oldman under the direction of Francis Ford Coppola.
Are there other Nosferatu movies?
In 1979, renowned writer and director Werner Herzog gave a modern take on the classic horror film Nosferatu. His adaptation, titled “Nosferatu the Vampyre” (currently streaming on Peacock), was also known as “Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht” in German, meaning “Nosferatu: Phantom of the Night.” Unlike the original silent film, Herzog’s remake was produced in both English and German versions simultaneously. Rather than using dubbing or subtitles, the actors performed their scenes in both languages according to scripts prepared for each language.
1979’s “Nosferatu” renames key characters to align with those in Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”. The central vampire, portrayed by Klaus Kinski, is known as Count Dracula, rather than Count Orlok as depicted in Schreck’s version. Bruno Ganz plays the tormented real estate agent, who goes by Jonathan Harker instead of his original name. In this adaptation, Isabelle Adjani portrays Lucy, a change from Mina, the wife character in the novel, and her friend, who is named Lucy in the original work. Werner Herzog’s film was praised for its thoughtful direction, showcasing a reflective style with stunning visuals that emphasize the tragic solitude of the vampire.
In 1988, Kinski once again took on his character in the movie titled “Vampire in Venice,” which is also recognized as “Prince of the Night” or “Nosferatu in Venice.” However, it’s important to note that this film has no relation to Herzog’s work. Instead, it offers a fresh storyline and new set of characters.
In the year 2000, director E. Elias Merhige and screenwriter Steven Katz introduced us to the film “Shadow of the Vampire,” a unique spin on the classic “Nosferatu.” This movie offers a fictional account of what transpired behind the scenes during the making of Murnau’s film, suggesting that Schreck, portrayed by Willem Dafoe in the film, was actually a real vampire. Alongside Dafoe, the cast includes John Malkovich as Murnau and Cary Elwes as cinematographer Fritz Arno Wagner. “Shadow of the Vampire” garnered two Academy Award nominations: Best Makeup and Best Supporting Actor for Dafoe’s performance.
What is the legacy of Nosferatu?
One significant impact of the classic film “Nosferatu” lies in its striking visuals, which have greatly influenced our modern perception of vampires. Two primary archetypes of vampires can be traced back to these characters: one, the sophisticated European gentleman with black, slicked-back hair and a well-tailored suit, is associated with Bela Lugosi’s portrayal of Dracula. However, the other, more monstrous vampire, characterized by a pale, bald skull-like head, pointed ears, claw-like fingers, and sharp fangs, finds its roots in Max Schreck’s portrayal of Orlok. Vampire characters resembling the original Orlok can be found in various works such as “Salem’s Lot,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” and “What We Do in the Shadows.
Murnau’s “Nosferatu” is often viewed as a seminal piece within the artistic movement called German Expressionism. During this time, German artists translated their intense emotions stemming from World War I and the unsettling political climate of the Weimar Republic into artwork that mirrored their somber, intense feelings. In cinema, this was expressed through an exaggerated, intentionally unnatural visual style, featuring deep shadows, excessive makeup, and distorted, jagged sets that evoked a dreamlike, disoriented world. The unique aesthetics of German Expressionism have had a profound impact on filmmaking and continue to serve as inspiration for various filmmakers, including Tim Burton, whose visual style bears many similarities.
Nosferatu serves as the foundation for a significant aspect of vampire lore: the belief that sunlight can destroy vampires. In Murnau’s movie, this concept was first visually portrayed with a vampire meeting its end under the sun’s rays, whereas in Stoker’s novel, Dracula is able to move freely during daylight and only experiences minimal weakness from it.
Eggers’ upcoming take on ‘Nosferatu’ is keeping everyone guessing about Bill Skarsgård’s portrayal of Count Orlok, leaving horror fans eagerly anticipating the release of this classic character. Catch the newest addition to this hundred-year old horror saga in theaters on December 25th! Tickets are available for purchase now!
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2024-12-17 00:02