NOSFERATU

The first great vampire film was this eerie, silent adaptation, loosely based (without authorization) on Stoker's book. Murnau mixes exceptional photography, startling special effects and a deliberately rich, nerve shattering, montage to create a masterpiece of horror. Equally noteworthy is Schreck's performance as the hideous vampire—his mere presence on the screen is enough to chill any jaded viewer.

"The use of real locations to create atmosphere instead of the usual stylized studio sets, the special effects--negative film and speeded-up motion to suggest a ghostly ride--and the spectral gaunt figure of Schreck's Dracula make the first work of Murnau's maturity also one of his best." -Holt’s Foreign Film Guide

Complete 100 minute English edition with restored intertitle cards.

Directed by F.W, Murnau. Script; Henrik Galeen. Photo; Fritz Arno Wagner. Cast; Max Schreck, Gustav Von Wangenheim, Greta Schroeder-Matray, Alexander Granach, Georg H, Schnell, Ruth Landshoff

Germany, 1922, 100 minutes. Silent film with added music score.
ISBN 1-55881-175-3
$19.95

THE HAUNTED CASTLE
Castle Vogelod / Schloss Vogelod

A nobleman, living in a castle, invites a group of guests for a hunt. One of the guests is a beautiful Baroness whose first husband died under suspicious circumstances. Her presence and the presence of a mysterious Count, previously accused of murder, causes great consternation among the denizens of the castle. Murnau explores their secrets and nightmares through a superb series of expressionistic dream and flashback sequences that offer a glimpse of what would come a year later in ‘Nosferatu’. Yet, unlike Nosferatu, ‘Haunted Castle’ does not create its horror through grotesque makeup or effects; it is all done effectively with the sets, characters and script. One of the earliest examples of the Gothic horror genre, which would later be explored by filmakers, like Ken Russell (Gothic) and Francis Ford Coppola (Dementia 13).

Directed by F.W. Murnau. Script Carl Mayer. Photo by Fritz Arno Wagner, Laszlo Scheffer. Cast; Arnold Korff, Lulu Keyser-Korff, Lothar Mehnert, Paul Bildt, Olea Tschechowa, Paul Hartmann. Produced by Decla Bioscop.

Germany, 1921. 83 Minutes. Silent Film with added music score.
ISBN 1-55881-174-5
$19.95

THE LAST LAUGH
Der Letzte Mann

An old doorman at a luxury hotel, proud of his work and uniform, is reduced to being a men's room attendant. The film that made Murnau's international reputation is mainly remarkable for being told without any intertitle cards. The camera tracking through hotel corridors, the distortions, the subjective shots, the drunken dream sequence, and Jannings' expressive performance made words superfluous. The unconvincing happy ending was tacked on at the insistence of producer Eric Pommer to make the piece more commercial.

Directed by F.W. Murnau. Script; Carl Mayer. Photo; Karl Freund. Cast; Emil Jannings, Max Hiller, Maly Delschaft, Hans Unterkirchen.

Germany 1924 75m. Silent film with added music score.
ISBN: 1-55881-176-1
$19.95

FAUST

Murnau's last film in Germany prior to going to Hollywood was this lavish studio production. A scholar makes a pact to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for a return to his youth. The Impressive sets, chiaroscuro lighting, and expressionistic photography, are masterfully brought together to create this memorable filming of the often told story.

Directed by F.W. Murnau. Script;Hans Kyser. Photo; Carl Hoffmann. Cast; Emil Jannings, Gosta Ekman, Camilla Horn, Yvette Guilbert & William Dieterle.

Germany. 1926. 90 min. Silent film with added music score.
ISBN: 1-55881-177-X
$19.95