If you love a good scare, the 1922 horror classic, Nosferatu is a definite must watch! A German silent movie based on the novel, Dracula, by Bram Stoker, it is a masterpiece of its genre. Here we have listed at least 10 reasons why this film cannot be given a miss:
A Symphony of Horror
The soundtrack of the movie was originally composed by Hans Erdmann. The eerie music lends a strange sense of mystery and ambiguity, which becomes the soul of this horror film. At the inn where Thomas Hutter halts for a night before continuing to Orlok’s castle, everybody becomes terrified at the mere mention of the Count’s name, horses flee and a hyena is heard in the distance, signifying the menacing doom that awaits Hutter at Count Orlok’s mansion.
Max Schreck’s Iconic Role as Count Orlok
‘Schreck,’ in German, literally translates to ‘terror.’ Schreck, in real life, was a loner with a twisted sense of humor, as per his colleagues. With his bulging head, pointed ears, dark eyebrows, rat-like teeth, and very long fingers and nails, Schreck breathes life into the monster. Some amongst the spectators had wondered if the vampire on screen was played by an actual “angel of death.” His unique walking-style in the movie has inspired the movements of many later monsters, like the creature in Frankenstein. Although having starred in over 40 movies, Schreck is best known for his role of Count Orlok in Nosferatu.
The Haunting Castle Actually Exists!
The castle of Count Orlok actually exists! Moreover, it’s still standing today in northern Slovakia! We have to admit, more the evidence from real life, more interesting the film becomes. This is especially true for horror films. The spooky mansion depicted in the movie is the actual centuries old Orava Castle, atop a fishing village, built originally in the 13th century. Ironically, the real castle, however, is considered to be one of the most beautiful castles of Slovakia. Also, the footage of the collapsed mansion at the end of the film was shot at an actual decaying castle of Slovakia, which began falling to ruins since the 16th century.
Dawn of the Popular Vampire Superstition
In his novel, Bram Stoker indicates that vampires get weakened when exposed to sunlight. He, however, never implies that they can die because of it. Count Dracula is often seen to leisurely stroll in the daytime; while Count Orlok turns into a smoke when he tries to escape from the morning rays of the sun at Hutter’s house. Thus, the myth that vampires can be vanquished when exposed to direct sunlight was born on the sets of this film.