Nosferatu
Directed by
Robert Eggers
2024
In 1922, the first version of Nosfetatu was released starring Max Schreck.The filmmakers were sued by the widow of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula which was published in 1897. In truth, Nosferatu was a ripoff of Stoker’s novel with the names of characters changed. Dracula became Count Orlok.
Stoker’s widow won the lawsuit but fortunately prints of the film survived despite court orders to destroy them. The 1922 film served as forerunner to Bela Lugosi’s Dracula which was released in 1931. In 1979, Nosferatu was remade in German and that version of the film remains a horror classic.
Now we have another remake and this is excellent as well. This was a fun and creepy film with an excellent portrayal of Orlok/Dracula. This is one of the most disturbing portrayals of the count ever depicted. This is an original and creative take on the character. As great as Lugosi’s Dracula was, they got Rumania’s Christianity wrong. The villagers always crossed themselves in the Roman Catholic tradition.
This film depicts the villagers crossing themselves Orthodox style. There are Orthodox priests and nuns in this film, something I really appreciated. Previous to this, Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 Dracula film showed the Orthodox but that film was boring.
This film is great and a tribute to old fashioned horror. Scary, creepy, suspenseful, and great atmosphere. Fine acting and directing. The best Dracula film in many years.
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