Nosferatu (1922)

Reviewed by Steve Kochems

If there is one thing that we can learn from old silent films it's that quick cuts, snappy dialogue, and shock and awe aren't the only things that make a solid film. It's good story-telling and creative camera work. That's what most films today lack. Sound, color, CGI, none of them matter if your script and director suck. So instead of subjecting myself to the normal garbage of 21st century horror films (see: Jennifer's Body, Saw 2-whatever they are at now, and Land of the Dead), I did some required viewing for my Film Genre class. I give you, the classic 1922 film Nosferatu.

Now, there are many of you who will say that a silent film is boring and drags and is no fun for anyone. Well, to put it simply, you're kind of an idiot. You are probably the same person who goes out and wastes money on shit like Silly-Bands. You probably have never read an entire book either, assuming you can read. I'm not trying to run you down or make you seem like you're stupid, you're not. You just need to pay attention to things. Not every movie is glorified fireworks (Transformers 2) or shiny cars (Fast and the Furious). Just try to focus a little, okay? Alright, let's move on.

What this film really does well is ultimately in what the filmmakers lacked. There is no shaky camera or jumpy moments, but rather paced and suspenseful ones instead. When watching a car accident, it's ten times more horrific when you can slowly see it happen, knowing you're powerless to stop it.

As for the story, well, it's far from flawless. For one, our protagonist (Hutter?) never really resolves his own conflict. That's as much as I'll say about the ending. Also, the first act does seem to drag a little. However, once we arrive at the horrifying Orlok's Castle in Transylvania (have you guessed who he is yet?), we get a crash course in suspenseful film making, with long shots of Orlok closing in on Hutter from his point of view and excellent shadow movements. The plot is really driven by the possibility of horror, Hutter only gets glimpses of it and really is powerless to stop it for the most part. While this could be a problem for some films, Nosferatu stands solidly on that possibility of horror.

It's really a good example of how much a film can do with it's bare essentials. It keeps the power in it's images, where the true power of films should lie. I can watch almost any horror movie today and I will end up being distracted (or vomiting) because of all the extra shit thrown into the film. I don't need to see someone get decapitated or gutted or even die for that matter, just showing the killer closing in (or using shadows) is enough. Too much gets shoved in your face and it leaves nothing to the imagination. If everything is demystified and shown to us, then what is there left to fear? We've seen everything.

I don't mean to bitch too much and avoid talking about the film, but I think it says something not only about films today but our culture in general. Just because we have the technology to do something doesn't necessarily mean we should, or that it would be better if we did. But some people today disagree and run to the nearest shock and awe showing to see something gruesome that they could just as easily have seen had they gone to medical school. At least then they'd be contributing to society.

Anyways, it's a worthwhile film to watch. It's run time is only 88 minutes so it's a quick watch and shows you a few things about quality film making.

4 out of 5