Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror (Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens) (Nosferatu the Vampire) poster & wallpaper
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Max Schreck, Alexander Granach, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schröder, Georg H. Schnell ... see more see more... , Ruth Landshoff , Gustav Botz , Karl Etlinger , John Gottowt , Wolfgang Heinz , Guido Herzfeld , Max Nemetz , Albert Venohr , Hardy von Francois

F. W. Murnau's landmark vampire film Nosferatu isn't merely a variation on Bram Stoker's Dracula: it's a direct steal, so much so that Stoker's widow went to court, demanding in vain that the Murnau f... read more read more...ilm be suppressed and destroyed. The character names have been changed to protect the guilty (in the original German prints, at least), but devotees of Stoker will have little trouble recognizing their Dracula counterparts. The film begins in the Carpathian mountains, where real estate agent Hutter (Gustav von Wagenheim) has arrived to close a sale with the reclusive Herr Orlok (Max Schreck). Despite the feverish warnings of the local peasants, Hutter insists upon completing his journey to Orlok's sinister castle. While enjoying his host's hospitality, Hutter accidently cuts his finger-whereupon Orlok tips his hand by staring intently at the bloody digit, licking his lips. Hutter catches on that Orlok is no ordinary mortal when he witnesses the vampiric nobleman loading himself into a coffin in preparation for his journey to Bremen. By the time the ship bearing Orlok arrives at its destination, the captain and crew have all been killed-and partially devoured. There follows a wave of mysterious deaths in Bremen, which the local authorities attribute to a plague of some sort. But Ellen, Hutter's wife, knows better. Armed with the knowledge that a vampire will perish upon exposure to the rays of the sun, Ellen offers herself to Orlok, deliberately keeping him "entertained" until sunrise. At the cost of her own life, Ellen ends Orlok's reign of terror once and for all. Rumors still persist that Max Schreck, the actor playing Nosferatu, was actually another, better-known performer in disguise. Whatever the case, Schreck's natural countenance was buried under one of the most repulsive facial makeups in cinema history-one that was copied to even greater effect by Klaus Kinski in Werner Herzog's 1979 remake - Nosferatu the Vampyre. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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85% liked it

43,419 ratings

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98% liked it

49 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 3 min.

Directed by: F.W. Murnau

Release Date: March 4, 1922

Keywords: horror, vampire, silent

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DVD Release Date: October 22, 1997

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Stats: 2,849 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,849)

  • spielberg00
    December 2, 2011
    spielberg00
    Oft-homaged silent horror film from 1922 Germany is fantastically eerie, relevantly creepy, even in the 21st century. Somewhat based on Bram Stoker's late-19th century literary horror classic Dracula, it tells the story of Thomas Hutter, who travels to Transylvania and is welcom... read moreed into Count Orlok's castle. Little does Thomas know that Orlok has a maniacal and arguably violent obsession with Ellen, Thomas's own wife.

    Full Review: http://wp.me/p1Urcx-w3
  • fb1664868775
    October 25, 2011
    fb1664868775
    Images from this film will be forever burned into my mind.
  • fb100000257973100
    October 22, 2011
    fb100000257973100
    You know, I do review films in my spare time because I love to express my love for cinema, but this if a film that I have no idea why I am even bothering to review. The reason why is because this film has been around for almost ninety years, still hailed as a masterpiece of Germa... read moren Silent films, and in terms of style and atmosphere considered one of the best ever made. But, seeing as how I do have a strong love for this film, I guess I must attempt to review it.
    If you are a fan of vampire mythology, then there is no excuse as to why you can not see Nosferatu. Seeing as how this film is in public domain, it is beyond easy to get a hold of. But due to it being in public domain, it is difficult to find good prints around. But you don't really need a good print to be able to feel the sheer terror of Max Shrek as the immortal Nosferatu (a performance that will be with him for another hundred years after his death). When I first came unto this film, I was just starting to develop a love for silent films and this film is one of the best introductions one can have for that genre.
    My reaction to this film was just about the same as anyone who first sees this film with a clear mind: it is like living through a nightmare. Now, in the nineteen twenties, the German film industry perfected the art of expression cinema (basically using obscure designs and scenery to create a certain atmosphere) so when it came time for the first adaptation of Dracula to be made, it is only natural that the Germans would create the most effective and the one that would set the laws of vampire mythology for years to come.
    There is not much one can say about this film other then the iconic performance of Max Shrek. Looking at him now, he is still a powerful image of a vampire and how one should act and be. From his tall stature to his giant, white eyes to even the teeth that barley fit in his mouth, Shrek creates a vampire that still puts modern vampires to shame in the flick of an eye. But he also keeps the character mysterious which is part of the greatness of this film.
    One thing that makes this film different from all the future adaptations of Dracula to even vampire films in general is that you don't know the story behind the vampire. He is always a mystery and due to us not knowing about him, we take into account that he is just a creature that is pure evil and is a force to be reckoned with.
    It is hard to imagine how film history would of changed had it not been for this monumental film that inspired horror and made it into what it is. Now, is this film worth watching? Yes if you can handle a silent film. If you can't, then I recommend you watch the film Shadow Of The Vampire.
  • blkbomb
    June 28, 2011
    blkbomb
    Nosferatu is definitely an eerie film and a good adaption of the book, but since I'm not a huge fan of silent films it's not really for me. It's a classic and Max Schreck is good and looks great as Count Orlok. The poor picture quality at times does make the movie better. If your... read more a fan of silent movies, then this would be for you.
  • WrenchLT
    May 24, 2011
    WrenchLT
    It's 90 years old but it still has that eerie and creepy feel to it all. Max Schrek makes for one hell of a scary vampire, probably the most chilling vampire in movie history. It's very much a film of its own era and it's odd and outdated methods only add to its atmosphere. It's ... read morean essential watch for horror buffs, but it is a slow one.
  • SirPant
    February 14, 2011
    SirPant
    Max Schreck's portrayal of Nosferatu is still terrifying today nearly 90 years later. Warner Herzog's remake is definitely worth watching if you liked this, although, as much as I love Klaus Kinski, you can't beat Max Schreck! The epitome of creepy!
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 15, 2011
    sanjurosamurai
    this great horror film is still a bit frightening nearly 90 years after its release. the poor picture quality adds to the terror making this a film timely made, and the story and running time are perfect for a silent film. maybe the most eerie film ever, this is a classic that ... read moremust be seen.
  • stevenecarrier
    October 11, 2010
    stevenecarrier
    I always found Count Orlok to be significantly creepy and the mood of the picture to be nicely tuned, but the story is just so bland- even by the standards of 1922. One can certainly see how "Nosferatu" remains a classic, but for me, it dosen't rank particularly highly.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    September 9, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    I love early film. Silents are always a bit of a patience tester, but I was impressed with quite a few of the visuals. Very creepy. However Nosferatu running around in daylight, holding a coffin full of dirt... not as impressive. Try humorous. However, if you love horror or vampi... read moreres it is an absolute must!
  • ajv2688
    September 3, 2010
    ajv2688
    The very first vampire on film! You can't miss it if you're a vampire fan like me. Nosferatu is actually still creepy after all these years. Check it out!

View All Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror (Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens) (Nosferatu the Vampire) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
May 16, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

Murnau proved his directorial artistry in Sunrise for Fox about three years earlier, but in this picture he's a master artisan demonstrating not only a knowledge of the subtler side of directing but i... Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
September 19, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

The film shows Murnau's uncanny mixture of expressionism and location shooting at its finest. Full Review

Dave Kehr
September 19, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

A masterpiece of the German silent cinema and easily the most effective version of Dracula on record. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

As vampire movies go, few are more memorable than Nosferatu, which is not only the first screen version of Dracula, but, in some ways, remains the best. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It doesn't scare us, but it haunts us. It shows not that vampires can jump out of shadows, but that evil can grow there, nourished on death. Full Review

Donald J. Levit
March 10, 2010
Donald J. Levit, ReelTalk Movie Reviews

'Nosferatu' is worthwhile on two counts: mise-en-scène and the actor who is the title (and sole) vampire. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
July 13, 2009
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

Most likely the first horror film to express something beyond simple chills and thrills. Full Review

Scott Nash
March 24, 2009
Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs

Contains some truly iconic moments, but too much of it, i.e. any scene without Orlock, is less than stellar. Full Review

Cole Abaius
February 11, 2009
Cole Abaius, Film School Rejects

His body is twisted and perverted, gnarling in on itself and constantly invading the personal space of the people around him. Full Review

Dustin Putman
October 9, 2008
Dustin Putman, DustinPutman.com

A landmark motion picture. Full Review

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  • Name the silent classic based on the story "Dracula."  Answer »
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  • What was the title of the first recognised vampire movie?  Answer »
  • The Movie Shadow of the Vampire is an apocryphal recounting of the making of what classic silent movie?  Answer »
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