In cinemas now

F. W. Murnau’s silent horror movie classic returns to the big screen.

What new can one say about this first (albeit unofficial) big screen adaptation of Dracula that hasn’t already been said over the last 100 years? This tinted black and white movie is a beautiful example of German Expressionism, and if Bram Stoker’s widow had had her way, all prints of this Dracula knockoff would have been destroyed. Luckily for us, a print survived, and the movie had since served as inspiration for everything from Tobe Hooper’s Salem’s Lot, to Nosferatu the Vampyre to Shadow of the Vampire and Abel Ferrara’s work.

Max Schreck’s Nosferatu is one of the great movie monsters, with a rat face, long talons and stiff walk. The movie is getting a release in cinemas across its centenary year, using the 2005/6 restoration print used by Eureka in their 2013 Masters of Cinema release, which includes a re-recording of the original score by Hans Erdmann. Even if you own one of the many copies released over the years (its copyright has long been in the public domain) do take the opportunity to experience it on the big screen.

Verdict: A stone cold horror classic in a big screen outing. Unmissable. 10/10

Nick Joy

 

Check https://eurekavideo.co.uk/news/nosferatu-100th-anniversary-screenings/ for details of screenings