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F.W. MurnauNosferatu (1922)

Originally released in 1922 as Nosferatu, Eine Symphonie Des Grauens, director F.W. Munarau's chilling and eerie adaption of Stoker's Dracula is a silent masterpiece of terror which to this day is the most striking and frightening portrayal of the legend.


This movie is part of the collection: Sci-Fi / Horror

Director: F.W. Murnau
Audio/Visual: silent film, b&w
Keywords: silent; horror; vampire

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Reviewer: babysprite - - October 11, 2009
Subject: "... a lost corner of the Carpathians."
Well done for 1921 and still eerie and frightening today, Nosferatu is a horror classic that has withheld the test of time.

Given the limits of filmmaking technology of the time, mime and some overacting were considered necessary for dramatic effect.

I wish people would take in consideration, the limitations of the technology and the art of filmmaking itself at that time.

Reviewer: pickford82 - - October 9, 2009
Subject: Maybe not exactly what you expect...
...but still good, and I think it IS scarrier that the Lugosi version! Schrenk is indeed terrifying, as he emerges several times, so tall & thin, with those long fingers, and that shadow of his.... There should have been more of scenes like those, for a stronger effect! Well, you should keep in mind that it is 1922, so there is quite a lot of overacting, and it may seem corny to some (Like the scene in the beginning where 'Jonathon' greets his wife). Well, and of course the story was changed. In the beginning it is pretty similar to the Lugosi version but after he arrives to the castle, it's the whole different story. Here are a couple of quotes from Wikipedia: "The film, shot in 1921 and released in 1922, was in essence an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, with names and other details changed because the studio could not obtain the rights to the novel".
"Galeen set the story in a fictional north German harbour town named Wisborg and changed the character names. He added the idea of the vampire bringing the plague to Wisborg via rats on the ship. <...> In contrast to Dracula, Orlok does not create other vampires, but kills his victims, causing the townfolk to blame the plague, which ravages the city. [Nosferatu] is a living corpse with rodent features (especially elongated fingernails and incisors), associated with rats and plague, and neither charming nor erotic but rather totally repugnant. The victims usually die and are not turned into vampires themselves."
So, knowing these facts you should know what to expect and be open-minded.

Reviewer: flameproof - - October 6, 2009
Subject: For Want of a Hairbrush
You know, there's nothing like watching a group of mimes having a bad hair day for a good scare - which in this instance is about the only thing Murnau aught ever to really have been ashamed of (them durned German Expressionists never needed no stinking license to create!).

Aside from that - historically significant for a number of reasons amongst which rank some fine old-timey cinematography and the first-ever crackpot method actor! Give it a go.

Reviewer: vauvauvau - - August 3, 2009
Subject: Masterpiece
There's not much to say about this movie - it's just the best in its own class. I wish kids would stop parroting previous kids - this picture is an Art. If you don't get it, then go watch transformers, kiddo.
Yep, I'm talking to you, emo fat-ass from below.

Reviewer: Shadows_Girl - - January 3, 2009
Subject: Crap---silent but deadly crap
It was Stoker's wife (not his daughter nor himself---he was dead) who sought to destroy all copies of this movie. And anyone who has seen it has to wish she had. It has little or nothing to do with Dracula as Stoker created him. All this BS with rats and plagues is nowhere to be found in Stoker's novel. As for any legend, the historical Vlad has nothing to do with Stoker's novel either. Originally Stoker called his vampire "Count Vampyr" and only gave him the name "Dracula" as a kind of afterthought after running across a mention of it in an old book on Transylvania. He threw in a few references to the historical Dracula to add verisimilitude to his tale but he didn't model his character on him to any great extent.
This is a lousy movie and needs a laugh track, it's so corny. I wish reviewers would stop parroting previous reviewers---this emperor has no clothes.

Reviewer: Zozi88 - - May 24, 2008
Subject: Six minutes?
I downloaded it but it's only 6 minutes?? why?
am I the only one with this problem?

Reviewer: LeGrande - - May 11, 2008
Subject: The movie that was supposed to be destroyed!
Because of copyright violations at the time it was made (the producers simply renamed all the characters and kept Stoker's story intact), a court order was issued to have all the copies of the film destroyed. Given the wide distribution at the time the order was made, this would be impossible to do. It appears that later, someone revised the title cards and credits to give Stoker credit, and named all the characters as in Stoker's novel. Schreck's performance was so convincing to film critics that some believed him to be a real, authentic vampire.

Reviewer: Mal de Ojo TV - - April 10, 2008
Subject: espantosamente bella
este movie es amazing pero también es horrorosamente bella en su estructura narrativa. Excelente aprendizaje para los creadores de cine.

Reviewer: movies! movies! - - September 7, 2007
Subject: Rights
Murnau didn't get the permission from Stoker's daughter (or Stoker himself, not sure) to make a movie from Stoker's book so he just did the same story but changed the name from Dracula to Nosferatu. The movie banned or something like it but some copies were kept, thank God!

Reviewer: vaevictis - - April 2, 2007
Subject: about the music
Notice that was a SILENT movie.Enjoy it.

Reviewer: Yodelling Llama - - January 11, 2007
Subject: Eh.
Music strange, irritating, and ill-placed at times. Acting painfully broad. Story is typical Dracula, but without flair of Bela Lugosi version. Or even Gary Oldman version. Disappointing.

Reviewer: Harty - - November 25, 2006
Subject: Copyright status?
What is the copyright status of this film? There is no creative commons logo.
Reagrds to all.
Steve

Reviewer: BelaRose - - November 9, 2006
Subject: Frightening
This absolute classic of a movie is one of my most favorite films of all time, after Universal's 1931 version of Dracula with the wonderful, Bela Lugosi as the 'Charismatic' Vampire.
I have to admit thought the most frightening character in Nosferatu next to the 'Rat-like' Count, has got to be the Renfield character! OOOOOOOOH!!!! Bone-chilling!
A true work of genius!

Reviewer: schnabel - - October 31, 2006
Subject: Awesome
Max Schreck is really the best Dracula of all time, a must see movie!

Reviewer: Beardos - - September 12, 2006
Subject: Eeep!
I tried to watch this film with a blank mind, shutting out all the good things I've heard about this film.
I have to say there were some parts that really frightened me (mainly the rising out of the coffin and the famous 'shadow' shot). Even all this time later it can still frighten! I did find this particular score a bit annoying at times but it was bearable.
Like a lot of silent films of the time the actors performances will seem a bit 'silly' and rather over-acted, but Max as Nosferatu himself is remarkable and is chilling to watch.
I can't say that I am a knowledgable film-goer compared to a lot here but this film deserves most of the praise it gets.....yes I mean that it has it's flaws and isn't perfect, but nothing really is. I gave it a four * because of the score mainly.
After watching this, I will probably try to buy a decent copy at some point.

Hope this wasn't a load of dribble.

Score : 4 Stars

Reviewer: gusferatu - - September 4, 2006
Subject: best vampire movie ever
creepy-eerie-spooky--a must see for any dracula fan or vampire fan. this version is played fast , and uses the names from the book dracula ,but ive yet to find a more spectral or thought provoking undead character than count orlock in the annals of vampire lore . he rewrote myth as we watched . he casts a reflection, is affected by sunlight, and commands an army of plague bearing rats. unlike most vampire movies , it casts no reflections towards its past, we never find out the answers to how he came to be , or how the secrets to his destruction were ever found. instead , we are left to speculate(with a little help from mr. stokers book)all of the hows and whys surrounding orlock(dracula). this hint of subtle mystery wrapped around this character leaves a delicious sense of anticipation and excitement with it. you might find yourself at times almost rooting for our villian, and you will almost certainly be feeling some small sense of loss when he dies. its not often when a film comes along where the villian is the character that viewers lean their sympathies toward. but when the end arrives , dont be surprised by your disappointment in the lack of a sequel. plagerized or not , this vampire is still the most mysterious and evil vampire to have ever graced the silver screen so far. recommend the color-tinted version ,but this is a good version to start with if your a fan of the book, and it is a more faithfull version of brams dracula than the 1931 movie .if you like this as much as most of us do ,than i highly recommend the cabinet of dr. caligari.

Reviewer: PINK FLOYD FAN - - August 30, 2006
Subject: PRETTY GOOD F'N MOVIE
DAMN GOOD / I LIKED THE KINO VIDEO VERSION BEST BUT FOR THOSE MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE TRADITIONAL NAMES FROM THE DRACULA NOVEL THIS VERSION MAKES A NICE INTRODUCTION TO THIS FILM .IF YOU LIKED THIS VERSION , I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE KINO VERSION , WHICH IS IN THE ORIGINAL COLOR TINTED FORMAT.

Reviewer: Stickfigurewhore - - August 25, 2006
Subject: If anyone is curious...
For those who wonder about the version with the "metal" soundtrack, there is a version scored by Type O Negative... This version can be found on the Trio of Terror DVD.

Reviewer: Gadomski - - February 12, 2006
Subject: The cornerstone of Dracula.
If you like movies like F.F.Copola's "Dracula", "Van Helsing", or "Interview with The Vampire", you will love this movie. German old-school at its best. You don't even need the sound, because the picture talks by itself.

Reviewer: renato2 - - February 3, 2006
Subject: @schizferatu
hi,

I do not know any metal band having done a sound track for Nosferatu, but the french art rock band "Art Zoyd" has made one. It should be available on CD. Look at www.artzoyd.com

r.

Reviewer: nephildevil - - January 19, 2006
Subject: hahahaha!!!
quote: "
WHY CANT I HEAR ANY VOICES?!!?!?!!?!!!"

LMAO !!!!


some people...

:-D

Reviewer: Chris Utzig - - January 19, 2006
Subject: 82112
5 *6 6 5

Reviewer: Schizferatu - - December 26, 2005
Subject: Sweet!
I was so glad to find this movie here, you may have guessed I am a bit of a fan. I wish I could remember what metal band it was that does a soundtracked version. When I got my last tattoo done, the artist loaned me a copy of the original Nosferatu but, set to the music of this metal band. It was cool but, I wanted to see it as is too. Thanks Internet Archive!

Reviewer: Loud Orange Cat Productions - - December 11, 2005
Subject: The first, the best.
Without a doubt, the scariest vampire film ever made. It's also the best.

Reviewer: 1d10t - - November 4, 2005
Subject: Problems!
WHY CANT I HEAR ANY VOICES?!!?!?!!?!!!

Reviewer: Mjazi1 - - October 30, 2005
Subject: I have a question
Why can't you download this movie?

I would like to see it.

Reviewer: TCaddy - - September 24, 2005
Subject: Excellent
Excellent quality, excellent film, well worth downloading even though it does not keep to the original storyline of Bram Stokers book.

The films age adds to its appeal and gives a kind of realism to the scenes and characters that would be hard to replicate in a contemporary production.

Reviewer: Malcolm Whitelaw - - August 19, 2005
Subject: Masterclass
Very few films of this ilk can hold a candle to this masterpiece. It still frightens the willies out of me.

Reviewer: italpolux - - August 15, 2005
Subject: good film
it's a classic....

Reviewer: zege - - August 4, 2005
Subject: Really Frightning
Bram Strokes Dracula is one of the best ever made. But as already sayed, the english translation is very disapointing.

Does anyone know where to get the German original?
(Would be great, because I'm a German native speaker).

zege

Reviewer: QWEtully - - July 29, 2005
Subject: silent classic
An ok transfer, great movie

Reviewer: Jeppe Kleyngeld - - July 27, 2005
Subject: One of the greatest silent classics
"I can recognize the mark of the vampire by the trace of his fangs on the victim's throat" Book of Vampires


Great silent classic and the first vampire movie. This is the atmospheric retelling of Bram Stoker's classic story and it's brilliantly done. The composition, background and lighting are all terrific and Max Schreck looks amazing as the bloodsucking Nosferatu. The download quality of this picture is quite good and the musical score suits the film well. Great images throughout an don't miss those shadows! Fantastic that the rights for this film have fallen in the public domain and that it is now freely available for downloading. If you haven't seen this movie yet, give it a try. Especially for those interested in the history of world cinema it will be a rewarding experience.

Reviewer: stein_tp - - May 29, 2005
Subject: Nosferatu
yes

Reviewer: count_orlock - - May 26, 2005
Subject: Nosferatu
The english translation is a little dissappointing. I know the german original and I know, that the story was written and the film was made without the permission of Bram Stokers heirs, so that Mr. Galeen had to change the names and the location. And because of this legal situation the Title of the Film is NOSFERATU and not DRACULA.
I think, the changed names are necessary for the correct understanding of this movie.
B.t.w. ... The name of the actor who plays the Count Orlock (Dracula) is Max Schreck, and "Schreck" is the german word for fright, fear, dread ... believe it or not, but it is his real name!!!

Reviewer: dildo123 - - February 2, 2005
Subject: Cool
The film is very frightening and i had vivid nightmares and i pooed my knickers. The film is deffinately a masterpiece and the black & Whit feel makes it all the scarier. I was very glad this site has the film available for download as it is now the best film i own. If this movie was for sale i probably not be able to afford it. I would like to thank Mr. Haywood for introducing me to such a masterpiece.

From, Christopher Fox

Reviewer: arco arena14 - - December 5, 2004
Subject: A nightmarish Dracula That You must see
Before saying anymore, I must talk about the camera angles of this movie. Many a time the camera will reveal a figure in the distance. While seeing it, you watch as the figure gets closer and your fears of it become larger. The story follows a realitor named John Harker who is sent to a castle in the Carpathian Mountains. The inhabitants, Count Orlock, which is a goulish vampire with claws and pointy ears, who is looking to buy a home in Bremen. A classic bone chilling scene is when the Count is walking up a stair case at night to get his victim. The shadow of the vampire is scary and will give most nightmares.

Reviewer: cashel - - August 22, 2004
Subject: Cinema Art......magnificent . Essential for a film library
Please refer to the Open Source Movies Forum. A forum member has posted his comments on this copy of the film(goood print quality and suitable music). My opinions would be useless as so much has been written by clever people about this great film .