The second horror movie I recommend you see is the silent horror movie, “Nosferatu.” Although it was done back in 1922, it is still gripping. Out of all the vampire movies I’ve seen, I find this one to be the scariest. The movie takes place in an eerie and sleepy town in Germany. The story is based on Bram Stoker’s novel, “Dracula.” There were some copyright issues and so a lot of the names of Stoker’s characters were changed for this movie.
A young married man, Hutter played by Gustav Von Wangeheim is summoned by a monstrous looking Knock (Alexander Granach) to pay a visit to Count Orlock (Max Schreck) in Transylvania. Count Orlock wants to buy a house in Transylvania and it is Hutter’s job to help him do that. Knock dispels all rumors of phantoms, and ghouls in hopes of convincing Hutter to go and make this sale. Hutter however, didn’t need any real convincing, he wants to make money, and this is the deal of century. He goes and leaves his wife behind with relatives.
Here is when the movie gets dark and gloomy. Hutter’s trip to Transylvania builds up suspense as he gets closer and closer to Orlock’s lair. He stops at an inn and the locals warn him of what will happen to him should he continue on this journey to Orlock. They are full of dread and horror, but Hutter wants to make the dough, and laughs it all off. He proceeds on the journey but the coachman drops him off ways away from Orlock’s castle because he was afraid to get too close. Even this did not convince Hutter to turn around. Greed has taken him over.
When Hutter arrives, the castle is nightmarish, dark, and dank. The count does not look human, and his love of blood is spine tingling. Hutter realizes he’s walked into something so evil and there is no out. Hutter becomes Orlock’s meal. While all this is going on, Hutter’s wife is having horrible nightmares back home. Orlock beckons Hutter’s wife in these dreams. Orlock manages to get to her, will she escape his grip, or will she forever be with him in the world of the dammed?
Contemporary movies portray Dracula as an accomplished, enigmatic, and handsome seducer. This film, which I feel is a lot closer to the story than most, portrays him as a ghoul. F.W. Murnau’s film is a classic and masterpiece. Nosferatu is a scary, evil, and nightmarish ghoul who walks the earth looking for whom to devour. The movie devoid of today’s bells and whistles is gripping. The use of shadows, lighting, are visually impressive. One scene that sticks in my head is the one with all the rats running out of the coffin—truly unforgettable.
