31 Days Of Horror Recommendations: Nosferatu (1922)

Year: 1922

Country: Germany

Subgenre: Vampires

Runtime 94 (original & restored time)

Director: F. W. Murnau

Again, no introduction necessary; but this is more a recommendation based on the edition of the film as much as it is one for the film itself. Because...really, who doesn't know this silent vampire masterpiece??  Murnau's Nosferatu is famously the earliest surviving rendition of Bram Stoker's Dracula (complete with lawsuit from Stoker's widow); although the film used the name Graf Orlok "Count Orlock" to help skirt around any legal issues with rights. Other than that, it really is a pretty faithful adaptation (screenplay by Henrick Galeen, script writer for a LARGE number of other early German horror classics including Waxworks and Alraune). It is genuinely a terrifying film, even the older cut up black and white home video editions are scary as hell. But watching it in it's restored form brings fresh terrors! The restoration of the original tinting allows the viewer to actually see elements that the black and white versions do not. The restored print somehow makes Max Schreck's vampire far more monstrous, a feat I didn't think possible. Two parts of the film stand out especially, the old "mansion" scene, when the vampire is at the windows looking out; and the scene on board the ship. Just stunning!  Kino Lorber hands down has the best edition out there. To be sure, the blu ray is on the pricey side...but hey it's Spooktober!! And Nosferatu is turning 100 years old this year, no better way to celebrate.