In our previous discussions, we delved into the seminal work “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” highlighting it as a defining example of Expressionist cinema. This film not only set a precedent for visual and narrative style but also underscored the profound influence of Expressionism across various art forms, particularly in German cinema during the early 20th century. Expressionism, known for its emphasis on emotional experience over physical reality, successfully penetrated literature, theater, dance, and painting, fundamentally altering the aesthetic and thematic landscape of these arts.
The purpose of this article is to expand our exploration of Expressionist cinema by introducing additional key films from this influential movement. By examining these works, we aim to further understand the depth and breadth of Expressionism’s impact on cinema and its lasting legacy in the film industry. Through this examination, we will not only appreciate the artistic innovations these films brought to the forefront but also consider the socio-political contexts that made such stark and captivating storytelling possible. Join us as we continue to explore the dark, twisted corridors of Expressionist cinema, shedding light on its enduring significance in the world of film.
"Nosferatu": Unveiling the Terror in Expressionist Cinema
Probably the first vampire film in history, and if not the first vampire film in history, then it is definitely one of the earliest, one of the most important and best. Nosferatu is not only a very important vampire film, it is also one of the greatest and most important German Expressionist films in history. There is no doubt that the influences of Nosferatu can be seen to this day, mainly in horror and thriller films.
Friedrich Murnau’s Nosferatu is a little less expressionistic than Dr. Caligari. The sets are no longer cardboard and the walls are not crooked. What Nosferatu does have is the figure of the vampire.
Nosferatu, who in the film is called Count Orlo instead of Count Dracula, is played by Max Schreck, and the way he played the vampire and the way his teacher shaped the vampire together with him is so iconic that every vampire character since then has taken at least one thing from him.
The way Max Schreck plays Orlo is the essence of German Expressionism, especially at the performance level.
The character of Nosferatu is an inspiration for many horror films and a prominent example is the character of Freddy Krueger in the film “A Nightmare on Elm Street”.
Tim Burton was also very influenced by this film and he even kind of states it in the film “Batman Returns” when Christopher Walken’s character is named Max Shrek after the actor who played Count Orlo.
Plot Overview
“Nosferatu” tells the chilling tale of Count Orlok, a vampire from Transylvania who brings plague and terror to the people of Germany. The story follows Thomas Hutter, an employee of a real estate agent, who travels to Transylvania to visit Count Orlok.
Unaware of Orlok’s vampiric nature, Hutter soon discovers the horrifying truth. Orlok becomes obsessed with Hutter’s wife, Ellen, whom he sees in a photograph. The vampire then purchases a house opposite Hutter’s home in Germany and brings with him death and the black plague. The plot unfolds as the townspeople grapple with the mysterious diseases and deaths, culminating in Ellen’s self-sacrificial act to defeat Orlok.
Expressionism and Financial Constraints
Murnau could not afford the rights to Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” so he made significant changes to the story and character names for “Nosferatu.” Despite these adjustments, the essence of the Dracula story is unmistakable, contributing to the film’s unsettling atmosphere. The lack of rights eventually led to a lawsuit from Stoker’s heirs, and all copies of the film were ordered to be destroyed. However, several copies survived, allowing “Nosferatu” to reach a cult status over the decades.
“Nosferatu” caused a stir upon its release due to its stark portrayal of terror and the supernatural, which were vividly enhanced by the Expressionist style. The film’s unsettling impact is largely due to its innovative use of chiaroscuro lighting, stark landscapes, and distorted settings that create a sense of dread and unease.
Expressionist Elements in “Nosferatu”
The film employs several key Expressionist techniques:
- Chiaroscuro Lighting: “Nosferatu” uses complex lighting to create stark contrasts between light and dark, enhancing the eerie and foreboding atmosphere. This technique is evident in scenes where characters are partially lit to accentuate their emotional states, such as Ellen’s nuanced facial expressions, which reflect her inner turmoil and fear.
- Stylized Realism: While the settings and the vampire’s appearance are exaggerated and stylized, they retain a foot in realism, making the horror more tangible and relatable. This blend of the real and the surreal intensifies the viewer’s discomfort.
- Symbolism of Desire and Chaos: Count Orlok himself symbolizes hidden, forbidden desires and the chaos that ensues when these dark impulses are unleashed. His interaction with society disrupts the natural order, bringing to light the underlying tensions and fears of the time.
“Nosferatu” not only pioneered the techniques of horror cinematography but also demonstrated how Expressionism could extend beyond visual art to profoundly affect film narrative and audience emotions. The film’s lasting impact on the horror genre is a testament to its innovative use of Expressionist elements to explore themes of fear, desire, and the uncanny, making it a foundational work in cinematic history.
Even Kurt Barlow in Salem’s Lot (1979) takes on many of Orlok’s physical traits in its adaptation. Other characters in works like Blade II, What We Do in the Shadows, Jakob’s Wife, etc. appear visually or atmospherically influenced by Orlok.
many elements we consider “classic vampire traits” were popularized—or firmly established—by Nosferatu. For instance, the idea that sunlight is fatal to the vampire. This was not always part of vampire lore before Orlok. Orlok also influenced non-vampire monsters: shadowy presences (using shadow rather than showing the monster directly), body horror, creeping dread, etc. without Count Orlok, horror, especially vampire horror, would look very different today. Not just in appearance, but in the structure of monster mythology, how monsters are revealed, how fear is built, and how horror interacts with darkness and light. Orlok’s visual and thematic fingerprints are everywhere.
“The Last Laugh” and the Silent Expression of the Subconscious
In 1924, the film “The Last Laugh” was released, directed by F.W. Murnau and penned by Carl Mayer, both towering figures in the world of German Expressionist cinema. This film is particularly notable not just for its compelling narrative and innovative cinematic techniques, but for its groundbreaking approach to storytelling that significantly minimized the use of intertitles—a common feature in silent films used to convey dialogue and narrative information.
Revolutionary Approach to Silent Film
Carl Mayer, the screenwriter, harbored a visionary approach towards the cinematic portrayal of the human psyche. He was deeply influenced by the Expressionist movement, which sought to explore the anarchistic instincts and the dual nature of human consciousness—the conscious and the subconscious.
Mayer believed that true Expressionism should transcend spoken or written language to directly engage with the viewer’s emotions and deeper, often unarticulated feelings.
In “The Last Laugh,” Mayer and Murnau attempted to revolutionize cinema by eliminating almost all intertitles, thereby challenging themselves and the audience to rely purely on visual storytelling and the actors’ performances to convey the plot and emotions. This radical approach was designed to create a more immersive and intuitive viewing experience that directly communicated the film’s psychological and emotional depth without the intermediary of text.
The Plot and Its Expressionist Execution
“The Last Laugh” follows an aging hotel doorman who experiences a demotion, leading to a profound personal crisis compounded by his reduced social status. This narrative is explored not through dialogue or explanatory titles but through the poignant and powerful performance of Emil Jannings, whose facial expressions and body language vividly portray his character’s descent from pride to despair.
The film employs a number of innovative Expressionist techniques:
- Fluid Camera Movement – Murnau used groundbreaking camera movements facilitated by the newly developed “unchained camera technique,” which allowed for a more dynamic storytelling approach, capturing the doorman’s emotional turmoil and the shifting perspectives of his world.
- Symbolic Imagery – The film’s settings and the visual contrasts also play a critical role, with opulent images of the hotel juxtaposed against the more claustrophobic, shadow-filled scenes depicting the protagonist’s deteriorating circumstances.
“The Last Laugh” is considered a masterpiece of German cinema and remains a seminal example of how film can explore complex themes without relying on spoken or written language. The decision to use minimal intertitles was revolutionary at the time and had a lasting influence on the development of cinematic storytelling techniques, particularly in how filmmakers could explore psychological depth and nuance.
Mayer’s insistence on eliminating intertitles pushed Expressionist cinema to new heights, demonstrating that the medium could powerfully convey inner turmoil and subtleties of human emotion purely through visual means. This film not only showcased the potential of silent cinema to express complex psychological narratives but also highlighted the universal power of visual storytelling, resonating across languages and cultures.
“The Last Laugh” stands as a testament to the enduring capabilities of silent film to convey profound, universal human experiences, making a profound statement on the nature of aging, dignity, and societal perception without a single word. Its legacy continues to inspire filmmakers to explore visual and narrative possibilities in conveying the human condition.
Deepen Your Knowledge with these books:
German Expressionist Cinema: The World of Light and Shadow by Ian RobertsThe Haunted Screen: Expressionism in the German Cinema and the Influence of Max Reinhardt by Lotte H. Eisner – This accessible study provides lucid accounts of major works associated with German Expressionist cinema, making it an excellent starting point for newcomers.
- The Haunted Screen: Expressionism in the German Cinema and the Influence of Max Reinhardt by Lotte H. Eisner – A seminal work that delves into the connection between German Romanticism and cinema through Expressionist writings, discussing the influence of theater director Max Reinhardt.
- The Gorgon’s Gaze: German Cinema, Expressionism, and the Image of Horror by Paul Coates – This book examines the interplay between German cinema, Expressionism, and horror imagery, offering insights into the visual and thematic elements that define the genre.
- From Caligari to Hitler: A Psychological History of the German Film– by Siegfried Kracauer
Explores the relationship between German films of the Weimar era and the sociopolitical climate leading up to the rise of Nazism.
