Length: 94 minutes
Director: F.W. Murau
Cast: Max Schreck, Alexander Granach, Greta Schroder, Gustav von Wangenheim
Eric's Impressions: Not only is this the best horror film ever made, but for me it ranks right up there with any movie from any genre. I'm not one to get creeped out rather easily, but this one still wakes me up in the middle of the night. We've seen the Dracula story portrayed on the big screen over and over again, but director F.W. Murnau's vision is completely unique. Max Schreck is unforgettable as the central character/villain Count Orlok. Legend has that Schreck got so into the role that mishaps and strange oddities, including a few deaths, occurred during shooting for which he was allegedly responsible. If you like the back story, make sure to rent the wonderful, "Shadow of the Vampire (2000)," about the making of "Nosferatu" starring Willem Dafoe (Schreck) and John Malkovich (Murnau). Just writing about "Nosferatu" makes me want to go watch it again right now.
Natalie's Impressions: Having seen several other Dracula movies since I first saw this film, I have come to the conclusion that no one is quite as eerie and unlikable as Max Schreck playing the part of Count Orlok. The make-up, although primitive was used expertly on Schreck's face and hands, the latter of which are very haunting. More recent Dracula films with more advanced technology, special effects, costuming and make-up don't even come close to matching this film's haunting imagery, perhaps because all the recent films are based off this original and adapt vampire myths that were first introduced in this film. This film feels fresh, whereas other vampire movies I have seen are either ripping off this film or trying to be so original that it comes out looking trashy.
COUNTDOWN: Just 990 movies to go!
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