Cinema's very first vampire is a masterpiece of gothic horror. So why were there so few others like him? Support Vampire Reviews on Patreon: / mavenoftheeventide
Personally, I find the idea of Count Orlock far more terrifying than the modern depiction of the vampire. He's an ancient being who was once a man of affluence that has been twisted by the centuries, growing beastlier and more grotesque in his isolated and unkempt castle. He desires to move to a new location not simply because he wishes to spread terror, but out of necessity as the prey in his habitat have become more resilient and can no longer satiate his predation. He puts on the shambling rouse of a man when in the company of others, but it's visibly clear that it is a feeble attempt to disguise himself as though his social presence has devolved into a natural camouflage tactic.
I love the original Nosferatu. It's a true testament to Max Schreck's acting that although other things aren't very scary to the modern audience, Orlok himself still is frightening. I didn't know Murnau was gay, that's very interesting to know actually, as a gay fan of German Expressionism, vampires and goth.
"Society didn't get so hung up on Dracula being into virgins until America started adapting the story." Wow, that pretty much says so much about us Americans, huh!
As an actual transylvanian i am so interested in seeing a vampire lore lover actually come and see how transylvania is actually like. The blandness of it all i imagine would be quite disapointing
I laugh about how they were trying to disguise the fact they stole this from Bram Stoker's novel and at the same time its probably the most faithful adaption of Dracula.
@@aacproductions996 not compared to all the hollywood movies. Seriously though, there are some comically superficial changes: Dracula is Count Orlock, it takes place in Bremen rather than London--using nosferatu in place of vampire for the most part. The whole story with Jonathan and Mina and Lucy is the same. Some other elements: Orlock's monstrous appearance, the way he dies, and the plague element differ from the book though.
@@gen1exe I meant out of the movies that were actually trying to adapt the book And There is also way more that’s different, the entire final act is missing (Dracula never goes back to Transylvania) He never turns into a bat,mist,or a wolf, and he doesn’t climb walls. There is no Van Helsing Mina and Lucy are combined into one character There is no Arthur or Quincy Renfield survives
That's what I was expecting her to have done, but, Idk, emotions? That being ridiculed as a widow (or maybe people eased up after he died, Idk, prob not) thing gotta sting, plus other stuff. Logically it seems like a silly move, but, emotions aren't logical. 🤷♀️
Actually Count Orlock is much more like the Dracula of Stoker's novel than stated here if not exactly in appearance than certainly in spirit. The later "suave/romantic" trope of the vampire came from stage play adaptation and Universal/Lugosi version and has been a detriment to the story and character ever since IMHO.
I think Vampire: The Masquerade proved quite well that a grotesque vampire could still work. Of course, Clan Nosferatu in that game have the advantage of Obfuscate, allowing them to not only walk unseen, but also to alter how people saw them. The handsome young man seducing the innocent maiden could, in that game, quite easily prove to be a hideous monster when his facade falls away. So it's sort of cheating (but also, in fairness, necessary for players who wanted to operate in the mortal world without being walking Masquerade violations). There is something to be said about a vampire who is monstrous in truth, but who hides or disguises this fact in order to interact with human society. Whether this be through tricks of perception, make-up (as seen in the TV version of The Strain, or so I've heard), or by the vampire employing intermediaries and distant influence. VtM does this by giving Clan Nosferatu not only Obfuscate, but the ability to command animal minions (who, naturally, don't care what their undead master looks like), and by a culture that favors indirect methods of sharing information (they are the ones who canonically make the best use of computer and networking technology, and even have their own "Shrecknet"). What Vampire: The Masquerade also did, though, was explore what it meant to be a tragic monster who _didn't_ have the benefit of being pretty like all their peers. In a sort of melding of the Vampire with figures like the Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Phantom of the Opera, there exists a tragic sympathy in Clan Nosferatu that stems from their perpetual alienation from humanity. Not just because they are blood-drinking undead who shun the sun, but because their natural forms are abhorrent. As such, they present a role-playing challenge for players and storytellers, who must examine and work with a Nosferatu's inner life and personal character. Deciding if they wish to be the monster with the sensitive soul on the inside, or if they'll succumb to the bitterness born of circumstance and ill-treatment, becoming every bit as ugly inside as they are outside.
While Vampires usually don't always look like Nosferatu, if they are two-faced with a human and a monstrous face, the mosnstrous face often looks like Nosferatu.
I got very distracted noticing that the rats shown in the one clip were domestic varieties (hooded rats). Yes, such eeeevilll vermin, come to take all your food and pee on everything you love. Probably my favorite part of old cinema is seeing the domestic or perfectly harmless animals (gentle species of tarantula) being passed off as dangerous and grotesque, when you know for darn sure the greatest danger the actors were in was all the affection the animals might give them.
First reaction at seeing the Ellen character: Wow, they sure made heroines a lot more androgynous back in the day! Maven of the Eventide: "But since the director was gay..." Oh. That explains a lot.
The concept of beauty from that time and location was different from today's Hollywood "perfection". Murnau still wanted his art to be successful, so his heroine matched the accepted idea of his time. I doubt that his private desires had much of an influence over casting for the women - the men are another issue altogether!
Nosferatu could be remade to be the first genuinely scary vampire film, a monster rather than a love struck human with fangs. There is so much that could be done with the Count Orlock character...I prefer the idea of a vampire monster who's completely lost all memory of being human and has become something more like a psychopathic animal...
I think both can be compelling in their own ways. With something purely evil and inhuman like Orlock, the horror isn't that he could walk among us disguised, but that he's something wholly incomprehensible and removed from humanity. I think that's compelling in its own way, and in general I don't think villains need to be sympathetic in order to be interesting and effective. But I also agree with the idea that it's horrifying to have a vampire that seems normal until their true nature is revealed. Likewise, I think allowing vampires to be more morally and emotionally complex provides a lot of storytelling potential, as we see in later vampire media. It all depends on what the intent of the story is IMO.
@@Luanna801 I guess the Orlock character is one of the few that is truly demonic. I once thought of writing a series of short stories based on him, to give the character some back history. One, perhaps just a few pages long, had him standing in the shadows of a completely ruined castle for days, month's, years between a blood feast. Little in the way of thought, memory, purpose. Indifferent to his surrounds, nothing affected him, no fatigue, no emotion whatsoever...he was just standing in the blackness, alert like a snake, a demonic predator, waiting, waiting, waiting...
@@stefanseniuk339 That sounds like a really cool story idea! It would be hard to flesh out a character who, as you seem say, seems largely unemotional and lacking an internal life. You do get the feeling he's rather empty and cut off from the world, and I can easily imagine him just standing impassively for days like that.
@@Luanna801 I had another idea that thousands of years ago he was mistaken for a Pagan God and at certain times of the year he would reside in a burial chamber. Frenzied rites would be carried out outside in his worship and he would emerge from the black entrance of the chamber to feast on young sacrifices. I love the idea that slowly over immense time he forgets his humanity completely. He speaks slowly as if trying to remember the words as he speaks. He changes from a human when he was first bitten to eventually become a true monster...
Something you may want to know about Dracula: At the time it was written, there was a genre called "invasion literature", where Britain would be invaded by totally-not-Germans or the totally-not-French. Dracula is basically what would happen if someone thought "Why don't we combine this genre with gothic horror and eastern European folklore?" (The other famous experiment with the genre was The War Of The Worlds).
Seen as they’re remaking the Universal Monsters, wouldn’t it be cool of Count Orlock was originally Radu Tepes, the brother of Vlad the Impaler (Count Dracula) and they both rule different vampire clans, but they hate each other because Orlock killed Dracula’s bride and mother of his firstborn son, Alucard. Then it’s said that the reason Dracula has the three vampire wives is because he wants to forget about his bride, and then one of the brides gives birth to Marya Zaleska, Dracula’s daughter!
You know your film’s immortality is still relevant when a feature film depicting a fictionalized version of events was made nearly 80 years later. Maeven’s video on “Shadow of the Vampire” is quite good and that movie is one of my favorite underrated horror films
Another example of German hardcoreness: There was a German psychiatrist named Dr. Angst. At that point you have to wonder - is he just trolling the world?
an important difference between nosferatu and dracula is that of time and science: the dates in stoker's novel are calculated to be of 1885 by some scholars, and stoker's characters rely heavily on the science and technology of the day (cameras'trains, transfusions ) as well as the legitimation of occult knowledge by van helsing. nosferatu takes place earlier in the 19'th century, closer to the era of byron and polidori, or the early german romanticists such as hoffmann and ludwig tieck (author of "wake not the dead, a vampire story). science as well as the vampire hunter who uses it are nearly absent, and the defeat of the monster at the hands of a beautiful woman is a plot trope that can be traced to many ancient legends in which discovering the monster's weakness was a much simpler process.
Herzog remaking this classic fit so perfectly. The aesthetic is so similar with even having Klaus Kinski’s makeup identical to Max Schreck’s (though slightly less freaky)
Glen McCulla atmosphere, no doubt. However, some parts did confuse me. Like why did they introduce the concept of the Count being some sort of lonely tormented soul through obviously strange conversations if he was just going to kill massive amounts of people? He doesn't feed off of most of them, he just causes plague and kills most of the town by infesting it with diseased rats. Or why Jonathon had to sell the Count the house to take refuge in if it was abandoned anyways.
I think the problem is that we are seeing Dracula through the prism of all the Dracula films that have come after Nosferatu. We see the vampire in a particular way. and. This film differs so much in what people expect to see in the depiction of its protagonist that it's hard to appreciate it on its own terms.
Honestly, Nosferatu is better than Dracula and the movie, especially the villain Orlok, was changed so much that imo its different enough to not be called a copy
Shadow of the vampire is an incredible movie about the making of this movie. It has a really interesting supernatural bent which enhances the film history aspect for me. Such a GREAT performance from Malkovich, Dafoe, and Udo Kier. Cary Elwes looks like he's having a great time too. Also, please do Bram Stoker's Dracula from '92. I've always wanted to get your take.
You are just so much fun! I only have a passing affection for vampires, but seeing your dedication and passion for them is just so endearing, it makes me love vampires a little more with each video I watch.
I was lucky and found a copy on dvd. I think music was added on though, like those cheap dvds from stores where the boxes smell funny and are mishapen. Awesome.
I my country the movie was showed with an original score by a local composer, specially made for the film. I had the chance to see it live in the Opera house, it was damn impressive. Best night of my life, the live orchestra actually made the floor tremble in the most climatic parts.
Schreck is closer to startle than terror though, so it's not so much a "hardcore" name, as a name that makes one think about "jumping out of the bushes shouting "Buh!"" type of pranks.
Declan Sheehan You heard right...Florence Stoker, Bram's widow, sued the studio to have every copy destroyed. Pirated copies made sure the film survived and Florence even got invited to a benefit that.was showing it. Do I even need to say she turned the invitation down?
I first learned about Count Orlak when I played Castlevania: Symphony of the Night as he is represented as a boss character for you to fight in that game. As you explained, this movie does have a very interesting back story and it's fun how Nosferatu is now connected to Dracula despite essentially being a knockoff.
my memories of your appearance in the Les Miserables collab was indeed worth keeping just so you could overwhelm me once i actually tracked down and watched the content of your channel. and Nosferatu of all things , what a spectacular first impression , but the What we do in d Shadows and Dracula Untold reviews were also a blast to sit through. tempted me to rewatch this review actually, and now i'm indecisive over what hypothesis is superior: your review of the Remake of Nosferatu or the review of the referenced Willem daFoe Shadow of the Vampire film, both such illustrious companion pieces to the original classic, and your format's so suitable for this genre almost feels like you came *before* the genre was invented
I just realized there's a similarity between Orlock and It. the Clown form isn't supposed to be scary, it's the form It chooses BEFORE it tries to scare children. the clown is bait. But, both Curry and Sarsgaard made the clown scary. As for Dracula, well in the book he starts as an old man but apears younger as he drinks, and we never seee what exactly Dracula does to Lucy since Lucy is one of the few characters in the book that doesn't keep a diary, but it's heavily implied he just drinks her while she's asleep.
I am literally studying Nosferatu at film school as of this moment! I'm overjoyed to have one of my favourite video essayists have some new talking points on the film. Fucking class :D
Great work Maven, I am happy to have provided the assistance you needed to create this review. In light of today's events 10/2/17 do you think that mass shooters may be the vampires of our time? Think of the similarities, they are both predators who lurk amongst us blending into society until they strike, leaving death and carnage in there wake. Someone should do a thesis on this subject.
Orlok and vampires like him intrigue me. It feels...perhaps appropriately...like he's a sort of "Neanderthal vampire", halfway between a zombie and a proper bloodsucker. Like a caveman just barely learning the ins and outs of how to use tools, "Nosferatu's" specific brand of vampire feels like the missing link between regular, hungry undead and the Lugosi-Dracula style of vampire, who adds deception and seduction to the mix. This would be an intriguing take for a storyteller who wanted to fit both types of vampires into their lore.
White Wolf's tabletop role playing games Vampire: The Masquerade and its reboot Vampire: The Requiem explores the dynamics of Nosferatu vampires along side a variety of other vampire tropes.
I watched this movie about 4 weeks ago I think. And I’m surprised that us was stolen. I was saying that it was like Dracula throughout the whole movie hahahah. I did really enjoy this movie though.
What do you mean you don't have a future in shadow puppetry?? 'Twas marvelous! Also, excellent review as usual. I love these movies and learning more about them. 💜
Great analysis. I also just love that someone else knows that fucking musical. There's a lot of songs in it I still love, though. I agree, that ending is cringe-worthy, to say the least, on so many levels. Sentimental memory: back in the day, my sister and I adopted "Excuse Me While I Disappear" as code-speak for "Telling off self-righteous douchebags, sexy-dgaf-supervillain style."
I mean, as terrible and repetative as it is, after like the 8th listen you kind of get Stockholmed into it and then it's stuck in your head forever (I feel the same about Heathcliff The Musical). That said, "Waiting for the Light" is actually pretty gorgeous and gives me chills every time.
Ugh, the Heathcliff musical...I *do* love the song "Misunderstood Man", but over all, Jesus, I don't think someone could create a *less* Wuthering-Heights-evocative soundscape if they tried! I'm guessing you're also familiar with the BJ Taylor WH musical? That one's much better, albeit seemingly more an adaptation of the Lawrence Olivier/Merle Oberon movie version than the book.
The track titled "Excuse Me While I Disappear". It's the end of act 1/first disc, with the confrontation between Drac-er-I-mean-Nosferatu and Van Helsing.
Well i will sound cheesy as fuck here but ima say anyway. You have incredible charisma dunno if you've played dnd or any table rpg (like vampire the masquerade since its in theme), but you would be an awesome player.
@@locutusdborg126 Ok if its a time issue i get it. People choose to spend their time different obviously. I mean i used to work 14-16 hours a day when i was younger and at sundays when i was free i loved gathering with my friends for some good old dnd, obviously not everyones cup of tea, she just seem to have a good expressive talent which would be awesome in a dnd game.
I've discovered your channel last night and I love the vampire reviews. The videos are informative, very well researched and I think it's awesome to see a woman with a silly sense of humour. Keep up the good work.
Will you also cover a remake by Werner Herzog? Als, it's interesting that you haven't mentioned that there is a myth about Schreck being an actual Vampire.
the movie Shadow of the vampire played with that rumor about Shrek. it was basically a movie about the director trying to get a real vampire for his movie, nd the trouble they had with Shrek only filming at night, and eating the off camera crew. it was kind of a dark comedy. it was great.
For a second there I was wondering if you were going to go full on Kyle-Kallgren-Does-A-High-Concept-UA-cam-Review, with the black and white silent thing.
Nosferatu is probably the scariest vampire movie because the less the devil or an evil entity can talk to you the more scary it feels. I'd love to hear anyone offer a scarier vampire movie. Favorite Vampire movies. 1) Let the Right One In (2008) - Swedish with English caption 2) Interview with the Vampire (1994) 3) Dracula (1931) with Bela Lugosi 4) Nosferatu (1922) 5) Shadow of the Vampire (2000) 6) Hunger (1983) 7) Near Dark (1987) 8) Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) 9) Love at First Bite (1979) 10) From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) 11) Once Bitten (1985) 12) Thirst (2009) Korean with English caption 13) Lifeforce (1985) 14) 30 Days of Night (2007) 15) Byzantium (2013)
@@rufussamsquanch_6547, I love Chloe-Grace Moretz, but in Kick-Ass. She was directed to sound monotone and stupid in "Let me in" and the feel of the movie in terms of the chemistry between the two was opposite of how it should be completely.
@@jokkemursula8731, you can like the visuals or effects of the 1958 version of Dracula by Hammer, but the overall situations or storyline is not my cup of tea. It does not make the list. As a kid, I loved Dracula as my outfit for Halloween. I use to say, "I want to suck your blood" with a good accent imitation of Bela Lugosi. The top six (6) vampire movies are on my top 300 favorite movies. "Let the Right One In" comes in at #5. "Interview with the Vampire" comes in at #27. My original favorite with Bela Lugosi is at #76.
@@ReligionOfSacrifice ya'll seem to love Interview with the Vampire. I recall it as garbage, maybe I was in a bad mood and need a rewatch? FYI: Top 300??? You have a lot of spare time!
Great review, have been looking forward for your review of this classic. Hope you'll someday review "Shadow of the Vampire" and the 1979 remake of Nosferatu.
Personally, I find the idea of Count Orlock far more terrifying than the modern depiction of the vampire. He's an ancient being who was once a man of affluence that has been twisted by the centuries, growing beastlier and more grotesque in his isolated and unkempt castle. He desires to move to a new location not simply because he wishes to spread terror, but out of necessity as the prey in his habitat have become more resilient and can no longer satiate his predation. He puts on the shambling rouse of a man when in the company of others, but it's visibly clear that it is a feeble attempt to disguise himself as though his social presence has devolved into a natural camouflage tactic.
I´m so happy that this amazing movie survived. What a loss it would have been if all the copies were destroyed.
I agree with you🙏🎥❤
I love the original Nosferatu. It's a true testament to Max Schreck's acting that although other things aren't very scary to the modern audience, Orlok himself still is frightening. I didn't know Murnau was gay, that's very interesting to know actually, as a gay fan of German Expressionism, vampires and goth.
the makeup helps too. Most make up and costumes from that era have aged horribly but Orlock himself still looks amazing
What i like about Nosferatu is that he is more of a strigoi than a modern fictional vampire.
"Society didn't get so hung up on Dracula being into virgins until America started adapting the story."
Wow, that pretty much says so much about us Americans, huh!
ShadowWing7439 it may have played SOME part, but society is too large and varied to be driven by any one component
As an actual transylvanian i am so interested in seeing a vampire lore lover actually come and see how transylvania is actually like.
The blandness of it all i imagine would be quite disapointing
I laugh about how they were trying to disguise the fact they stole this from Bram Stoker's novel and at the same time its probably the most faithful adaption of Dracula.
Lol no it’s actually one of the loosest adaptations of the book
@@aacproductions996 not compared to all the hollywood movies. Seriously though, there are some comically superficial changes: Dracula is Count Orlock, it takes place in Bremen rather than London--using nosferatu in place of vampire for the most part. The whole story with Jonathan and Mina and Lucy is the same. Some other elements: Orlock's monstrous appearance, the way he dies, and the plague element differ from the book though.
@@gen1exe I meant out of the movies that were actually trying to adapt the book
And There is also way more that’s different,
the entire final act is missing (Dracula never goes back to Transylvania)
He never turns into a bat,mist,or a wolf, and he doesn’t climb walls.
There is no Van Helsing
Mina and Lucy are combined into one character
There is no Arthur or Quincy
Renfield survives
@@gen1exeNosferatu (2024), Bill Skarsgard.
@@aacproductions996Nosferatu (2024), Bill Skarsgard.
Destroying the film seems pointlessly vindictive to me. Why didn't she just have the rights transferred to herself?
That's what I was expecting her to have done, but, Idk, emotions? That being ridiculed as a widow (or maybe people eased up after he died, Idk, prob not) thing gotta sting, plus other stuff. Logically it seems like a silly move, but, emotions aren't logical. 🤷♀️
*Squidward:* _"Wait, if that was you on the phone and you on the bus, then who was flickering the lights?"_
*Everyone:* _"Nosferatu!"_
*Nosferatu:* :>
Actually Count Orlock is much more like the Dracula of Stoker's novel than stated here if not exactly in appearance than certainly in spirit. The later "suave/romantic" trope of the vampire came from stage play adaptation and Universal/Lugosi version and has been a detriment to the story and character ever since IMHO.
@juanramirez-wk8ty Nosferatu (2024), Bill Skarsgard.
Oscar Wilde actually courted Florence Stoker but she choose Bram Stoker instead.
I love Wilde, but man did she dodge a bullet there
I think Vampire: The Masquerade proved quite well that a grotesque vampire could still work. Of course, Clan Nosferatu in that game have the advantage of Obfuscate, allowing them to not only walk unseen, but also to alter how people saw them. The handsome young man seducing the innocent maiden could, in that game, quite easily prove to be a hideous monster when his facade falls away. So it's sort of cheating (but also, in fairness, necessary for players who wanted to operate in the mortal world without being walking Masquerade violations).
There is something to be said about a vampire who is monstrous in truth, but who hides or disguises this fact in order to interact with human society. Whether this be through tricks of perception, make-up (as seen in the TV version of The Strain, or so I've heard), or by the vampire employing intermediaries and distant influence. VtM does this by giving Clan Nosferatu not only Obfuscate, but the ability to command animal minions (who, naturally, don't care what their undead master looks like), and by a culture that favors indirect methods of sharing information (they are the ones who canonically make the best use of computer and networking technology, and even have their own "Shrecknet").
What Vampire: The Masquerade also did, though, was explore what it meant to be a tragic monster who _didn't_ have the benefit of being pretty like all their peers. In a sort of melding of the Vampire with figures like the Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Phantom of the Opera, there exists a tragic sympathy in Clan Nosferatu that stems from their perpetual alienation from humanity. Not just because they are blood-drinking undead who shun the sun, but because their natural forms are abhorrent. As such, they present a role-playing challenge for players and storytellers, who must examine and work with a Nosferatu's inner life and personal character. Deciding if they wish to be the monster with the sensitive soul on the inside, or if they'll succumb to the bitterness born of circumstance and ill-treatment, becoming every bit as ugly inside as they are outside.
Valerie and her Week of Wonders did the monstrous vampire disguising themself as a handsome man!
While Vampires usually don't always look like Nosferatu, if they are two-faced with a human and a monstrous face, the mosnstrous face often looks like Nosferatu.
I got very distracted noticing that the rats shown in the one clip were domestic varieties (hooded rats). Yes, such eeeevilll vermin, come to take all your food and pee on everything you love. Probably my favorite part of old cinema is seeing the domestic or perfectly harmless animals (gentle species of tarantula) being passed off as dangerous and grotesque, when you know for darn sure the greatest danger the actors were in was all the affection the animals might give them.
First reaction at seeing the Ellen character: Wow, they sure made heroines a lot more androgynous back in the day!
Maven of the Eventide: "But since the director was gay..."
Oh. That explains a lot.
The concept of beauty from that time and location was different from today's Hollywood "perfection". Murnau still wanted his art to be successful, so his heroine matched the accepted idea of his time. I doubt that his private desires had much of an influence over casting for the women - the men are another issue altogether!
"Like the war...good for...absolutely nothing!" Say it again, y'all.
TheHeroOfTomorrow HUH, good god, y’all!
Nosferatu could be remade to be the first genuinely scary vampire film, a monster rather than a love struck human with fangs. There is so much that could be done with the Count Orlock character...I prefer the idea of a vampire monster who's completely lost all memory of being human and has become something more like a psychopathic animal...
I think both can be compelling in their own ways. With something purely evil and inhuman like Orlock, the horror isn't that he could walk among us disguised, but that he's something wholly incomprehensible and removed from humanity. I think that's compelling in its own way, and in general I don't think villains need to be sympathetic in order to be interesting and effective. But I also agree with the idea that it's horrifying to have a vampire that seems normal until their true nature is revealed. Likewise, I think allowing vampires to be more morally and emotionally complex provides a lot of storytelling potential, as we see in later vampire media. It all depends on what the intent of the story is IMO.
@@Luanna801 I guess the Orlock character is one of the few that is truly demonic. I once thought of writing a series of short stories based on him, to give the character some back history. One, perhaps just a few pages long, had him standing in the shadows of a completely ruined castle for days, month's, years between a blood feast. Little in the way of thought, memory, purpose. Indifferent to his surrounds, nothing affected him, no fatigue, no emotion whatsoever...he was just standing in the blackness, alert like a snake, a demonic predator, waiting, waiting, waiting...
@@stefanseniuk339 That sounds like a really cool story idea! It would be hard to flesh out a character who, as you seem say, seems largely unemotional and lacking an internal life. You do get the feeling he's rather empty and cut off from the world, and I can easily imagine him just standing impassively for days like that.
@@Luanna801 I had another idea that thousands of years ago he was mistaken for a Pagan God and at certain times of the year he would reside in a burial chamber. Frenzied rites would be carried out outside in his worship and he would emerge from the black entrance of the chamber to feast on young sacrifices. I love the idea that slowly over immense time he forgets his humanity completely. He speaks slowly as if trying to remember the words as he speaks. He changes from a human when he was first bitten to eventually become a true monster...
This movie is fine just the way it is.
Something you may want to know about Dracula: At the time it was written, there was a genre called "invasion literature", where Britain would be invaded by totally-not-Germans or the totally-not-French. Dracula is basically what would happen if someone thought "Why don't we combine this genre with gothic horror and eastern European folklore?" (The other famous experiment with the genre was The War Of The Worlds).
Seen as they’re remaking the Universal Monsters, wouldn’t it be cool of Count Orlock was originally Radu Tepes, the brother of Vlad the Impaler (Count Dracula) and they both rule different vampire clans, but they hate each other because Orlock killed Dracula’s bride and mother of his firstborn son, Alucard. Then it’s said that the reason Dracula has the three vampire wives is because he wants to forget about his bride, and then one of the brides gives birth to Marya Zaleska, Dracula’s daughter!
Alexander Smith that’s pretty cool idea
You know your film’s immortality is still relevant when a feature film depicting a fictionalized version of events was made nearly 80 years later. Maeven’s video on “Shadow of the Vampire” is quite good and that movie is one of my favorite underrated horror films
Another example of German hardcoreness: There was a German psychiatrist named Dr. Angst. At that point you have to wonder - is he just trolling the world?
any one else picture maven being the one chasing the vampire 'I UNDERSTAND YOU"
There's a good fanfic in that.
And the vampire running away like crazy and squeling outta fear: You'll never catch me!!
an important difference between nosferatu and dracula is that of time and science: the dates in stoker's novel are calculated to be of 1885 by some scholars, and stoker's characters rely heavily on the science and technology of the day (cameras'trains, transfusions ) as well as the legitimation of occult knowledge by van helsing. nosferatu takes place earlier in the 19'th century, closer to the era of byron and polidori, or the early german romanticists such as hoffmann and ludwig tieck (author of "wake not the dead, a vampire story). science as well as the vampire hunter who uses it are nearly absent, and the defeat of the monster at the hands of a beautiful woman is a plot trope that can be traced to many ancient legends in which discovering the monster's weakness was a much simpler process.
No mention of the Werner Herzog version with Klaus Kinski. THAT happens to be one of the very few remakes that I actually like.
Herzog remaking this classic fit so perfectly. The aesthetic is so similar with even having Klaus Kinski’s makeup identical to Max Schreck’s (though slightly less freaky)
i laughed my ass off at the beginning seeing "reviewsszzz" spelled out
The silent film schtick was excellent, I agree ^^
Its his similarities with folklore revenants makes this my favorite vampire movie, followed by Strigoi
Please review Werner Herzog's Nosferatu at some point! I love these videos
Could you review Werner Herzog’s 1970s remake of the film.
I could actually hear you in my head when you did that intro.
@TNTales Nosferatu (2024), Bill Skarsgard.
Now I kinda want to hear you talk about the 1979 "Nosferatu" film by Werner Herzog
SirJedi Sentinel Absolutely fantastic film. Unfortunately most people won't know what you're referring to.
I will forever be amazed by the Orlok makeup. It is amazing.
Maven is one of the best nosferatu reviews I've seen here on you tube. Very charismatic to describe such a horrific film
Could you please review the 1978 Werner Herzog remake??It's absolutely mesmerizing!!
The Herzog version of 'Nosferatu' is very much my favourite vampire film of all time. It's positively dripping with atmosphere.
Glen McCulla atmosphere, no doubt. However, some parts did confuse me. Like why did they introduce the concept of the Count being some sort of lonely tormented soul through obviously strange conversations if he was just going to kill massive amounts of people? He doesn't feed off of most of them, he just causes plague and kills most of the town by infesting it with diseased rats. Or why Jonathon had to sell the Count the house to take refuge in if it was abandoned anyways.
I think the problem is that we are seeing Dracula through the prism of all the Dracula films that have come after Nosferatu. We see the vampire in a particular way. and. This film differs so much in what people expect to see in the depiction of its protagonist that it's hard to appreciate it on its own terms.
@@plantainsame2049 No shit Sherlock
Honestly, Nosferatu is better than Dracula and the movie, especially the villain Orlok, was changed so much that imo its different enough to not be called a copy
Shadow of the vampire is an incredible movie about the making of this movie. It has a really interesting supernatural bent which enhances the film history aspect for me. Such a GREAT performance from Malkovich, Dafoe, and Udo Kier. Cary Elwes looks like he's having a great time too. Also, please do Bram Stoker's Dracula from '92. I've always wanted to get your take.
Salem's lot had a Nosferatu vampire as the main vampire.
The character of Max Shreck in Batman Returns is a nod to the actor who played Orlock.
What a delight! Thanks so much for your contributions to Vampire discussions, and I am on board with a "Shadow of the Vampire" review!
Brett Johnson me too. I wish for said review to come to fruition.
You are just so much fun! I only have a passing affection for vampires, but seeing your dedication and passion for them is just so endearing, it makes me love vampires a little more with each video I watch.
Please oh please review Shadow of the Vampire next, I love that one, it's great!
She pretty much indicated in the video that she is.
This was also in an episode of "Are you Afraid of the Dark?". The movie comes to life, and it's pretty awesome.
Orloc is actually kind of cute. All big eyed and buck toothed, sneakin' around all awkward.
merchantfan With a stare that seems to come from the bottom of Hell but what do I know?
I remember Nosferatu as the one flickering the lights in one of my favorite Spongebob episodes, Graveyard Shift
Thank you so much for this. I rarely walk away from one of your reviews without feeling enlightened in some way.
Damn good analysis. Your performance is just fun and makes it a blast to watch your reviews. Keep it up and thank you!
That beginning 🤣
Brilliant!
I'd kill to find out where you get your clothes. I love them so much.
Jem Fukuyama I think she just uses eBay if I remember her Q&A correctly (she uploaded it on YT recently). Not sure what she searches for, though...
I was lucky and found a copy on dvd. I think music was added on though, like those cheap dvds from stores where the boxes smell funny and are mishapen.
Awesome.
I my country the movie was showed with an original score by a local composer, specially made for the film. I had the chance to see it live in the Opera house, it was damn impressive. Best night of my life, the live orchestra actually made the floor tremble in the most climatic parts.
Oh man, I'm really looking forward to the review of Shadow of the Vampire. It's a really good movie.
Schreck is closer to startle than terror though, so it's not so much a "hardcore" name, as a name that makes one think about "jumping out of the bushes shouting "Buh!"" type of pranks.
I am soooo happy to hear you're planning on reviewing Shadow of the Vampire. I adore that weird film and its weird, beautiful weirdness.
I always heard Nosferatu was made the way it was because the makers actually did try to get the rights to Dracula but failed.
Declan Sheehan You heard right...Florence Stoker, Bram's widow, sued the studio to have every copy destroyed. Pirated copies made sure the film survived and Florence even got invited to a benefit that.was showing it. Do I even need to say she turned the invitation down?
Best analysis of "Nosferatu" I've ever seen.
I first learned about Count Orlak when I played Castlevania: Symphony of the Night as he is represented as a boss character for you to fight in that game. As you explained, this movie does have a very interesting back story and it's fun how Nosferatu is now connected to Dracula despite essentially being a knockoff.
my memories of your appearance in the Les Miserables collab was indeed worth keeping just so you could overwhelm me once i actually tracked down and watched the content of your channel.
and Nosferatu of all things , what a spectacular first impression , but the What we do in d Shadows and Dracula Untold reviews were also a blast to sit through.
tempted me to rewatch this review actually, and now i'm indecisive over what hypothesis is superior: your review of the Remake of Nosferatu or the review of the referenced Willem daFoe Shadow of the Vampire film, both such illustrious companion pieces to the original classic, and your format's so suitable for this genre almost feels like you came *before* the genre was invented
I just realized there's a similarity between Orlock and It. the Clown form isn't supposed to be scary, it's the form It chooses BEFORE it tries to scare children. the clown is bait. But, both Curry and Sarsgaard made the clown scary.
As for Dracula, well in the book he starts as an old man but apears younger as he drinks, and we never seee what exactly Dracula does to Lucy since Lucy is one of the few characters in the book that doesn't keep a diary, but it's heavily implied he just drinks her while she's asleep.
The shadow puppet is brilliant. It must have a spinoff series.
I love the way you've done your hair.
Oh, and nice review, too....
As usual I love your analysis and your outfit. I should be doing homework but when you post I have to watch.
Thank you, nosferatu the best vampire film of his time and ever. Bloody wishes greetings to you. Lord Eripmav
YESSS I've been waiting for you to do a review of Nosferatu! My favourite old-school creepy film
i enjoy these reviews soooo much, 10/10 will watch again
FINALLY!!!!! I've been waiting for this one for as long as I've been watching Vampire Reviews! :)
I hear that the walls ooze green slime in Nosferatu’s presence
No, wait, they always do that.
I don't know what you're talking about. To me your shadow puppets were spot on.
I am literally studying Nosferatu at film school as of this moment! I'm overjoyed to have one of my favourite video essayists have some new talking points on the film. Fucking class :D
Great work Maven, I am happy to have provided the assistance you needed to create this review. In light of today's events 10/2/17 do you think that mass shooters may be the vampires of our time? Think of the similarities, they are both predators who lurk amongst us blending into society until they strike, leaving death and carnage in there wake. Someone should do a thesis on this subject.
Yeah! 100 years of blood, rats and darkness! 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
@Tierrechtsaktivist Nosferatu (2024), Bill Skarsgard.
Orlok and vampires like him intrigue me. It feels...perhaps appropriately...like he's a sort of "Neanderthal vampire", halfway between a zombie and a proper bloodsucker.
Like a caveman just barely learning the ins and outs of how to use tools, "Nosferatu's" specific brand of vampire feels like the missing link between regular, hungry undead and the Lugosi-Dracula style of vampire, who adds deception and seduction to the mix.
This would be an intriguing take for a storyteller who wanted to fit both types of vampires into their lore.
White Wolf's tabletop role playing games Vampire: The Masquerade and its reboot Vampire: The Requiem explores the dynamics of Nosferatu vampires along side a variety of other vampire tropes.
Please please please review "Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo". I'd love to hear your thoughts on it, perhaps as a Halloween special? 😅
And I have to hit the like button just for that opening, your pantomiming is too much XD
Been waiting to hear your thoughts on this one.
Well done as always!
My favourite vampire for his inhuman nature, I think the plague is echo of Spanish flu
@marcraygun6290 Nosferatu (2024), Bill Skarsgard.
Good review, though my main reason for posting is your adorkable shadow puppetry.
This film is probably the most famous fan film ever made.
I watched this movie about 4 weeks ago I think. And I’m surprised that us was stolen. I was saying that it was like Dracula throughout the whole movie hahahah. I did really enjoy this movie though.
Wow, that is a beautiful print of the film you have there. I have 3 copies of the film, and none of them are that clear and crisp.
Not really related but you should watch dracula on Netflix!!!!!
Love your dress in this video. Just in time for Halloween. Great to see you again
The first time I watched this film, the text on screen used the names of all the characters from Dracula.
What did you think of the 1979 remake? That one is one of my favourite films ☺️
Me too!
What do you mean you don't have a future in shadow puppetry?? 'Twas marvelous! Also, excellent review as usual. I love these movies and learning more about them. 💜
Great analysis. I also just love that someone else knows that fucking musical. There's a lot of songs in it I still love, though. I agree, that ending is cringe-worthy, to say the least, on so many levels. Sentimental memory: back in the day, my sister and I adopted "Excuse Me While I Disappear" as code-speak for "Telling off self-righteous douchebags, sexy-dgaf-supervillain style."
I mean, as terrible and repetative as it is, after like the 8th listen you kind of get Stockholmed into it and then it's stuck in your head forever (I feel the same about Heathcliff The Musical). That said, "Waiting for the Light" is actually pretty gorgeous and gives me chills every time.
Ugh, the Heathcliff musical...I *do* love the song "Misunderstood Man", but over all, Jesus, I don't think someone could create a *less* Wuthering-Heights-evocative soundscape if they tried!
I'm guessing you're also familiar with the BJ Taylor WH musical? That one's much better, albeit seemingly more an adaptation of the Lawrence Olivier/Merle Oberon movie version than the book.
Matt Spencer Which song was "excuse me while I disappear" from?
The track titled "Excuse Me While I Disappear". It's the end of act 1/first disc, with the confrontation between Drac-er-I-mean-Nosferatu and Van Helsing.
The end song makes me want a Disney's Nosferatu.
Drew Thompson go idea!
Drew Thompson, no.
Well i will sound cheesy as fuck here but ima say anyway. You have incredible charisma dunno if you've played dnd or any table rpg (like vampire the masquerade since its in theme), but you would be an awesome player.
Bro she has a kid
@@anotherranger2924 And that means she cant play rpgs?
@@TheArmyofHades That means she is not available.
@@locutusdborg126 Ok if its a time issue i get it. People choose to spend their time different obviously. I mean i used to work 14-16 hours a day when i was younger and at sundays when i was free i loved gathering with my friends for some good old dnd, obviously not everyones cup of tea, she just seem to have a good expressive talent which would be awesome in a dnd game.
I've discovered your channel last night and I love the vampire reviews. The videos are informative, very well researched and I think it's awesome to see a woman with a silly sense of humour. Keep up the good work.
Ines V. , I love women.
Not a single mention of Werner Herzog's 1979 remake with Bruno Ganz and Klaus Kinski?
It's a totally different movie! It deserves its own video.
Maven of the Eventide So does Shadow of the Vampire. _wink-wink, hint-hint_
PROTOGOTHS
Shadow puppet skills are 11/10
Will you also cover a remake by Werner Herzog?
Als, it's interesting that you haven't mentioned that there is a myth about Schreck being an actual Vampire.
the movie Shadow of the vampire played with that rumor about Shrek. it was basically a movie about the director trying to get a real vampire for his movie, nd the trouble they had with Shrek only filming at night, and eating the off camera crew.
it was kind of a dark comedy. it was great.
For a second there I was wondering if you were going to go full on Kyle-Kallgren-Does-A-High-Concept-UA-cam-Review, with the black and white silent thing.
Nosferatu is probably the scariest vampire movie because the less the devil or an evil entity can talk to you the more scary it feels. I'd love to hear anyone offer a scarier vampire movie.
Favorite Vampire movies.
1) Let the Right One In (2008) - Swedish with English caption
2) Interview with the Vampire (1994)
3) Dracula (1931) with Bela Lugosi
4) Nosferatu (1922)
5) Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
6) Hunger (1983)
7) Near Dark (1987)
8) Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
9) Love at First Bite (1979)
10) From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
11) Once Bitten (1985)
12) Thirst (2009) Korean with English caption
13) Lifeforce (1985)
14) 30 Days of Night (2007)
15) Byzantium (2013)
Good list. Near Dark is severely underrated. Did you not like the remake of Let the Right One In? I quite enjoyed it.
Have you seen Hammer's 1958 version starring Peter Cushing and Cristopher Lee? It's one of my personal favourites.
@@rufussamsquanch_6547, I love Chloe-Grace Moretz, but in Kick-Ass. She was directed to sound monotone and stupid in "Let me in" and the feel of the movie in terms of the chemistry between the two was opposite of how it should be completely.
@@jokkemursula8731, you can like the visuals or effects of the 1958 version of Dracula by Hammer, but the overall situations or storyline is not my cup of tea. It does not make the list.
As a kid, I loved Dracula as my outfit for Halloween. I use to say, "I want to suck your blood" with a good accent imitation of Bela Lugosi.
The top six (6) vampire movies are on my top 300 favorite movies.
"Let the Right One In" comes in at #5. "Interview with the Vampire" comes in at #27. My original favorite with Bela Lugosi is at #76.
@@ReligionOfSacrifice ya'll seem to love Interview with the Vampire. I recall it as garbage, maybe I was in a bad mood and need a rewatch? FYI: Top 300??? You have a lot of spare time!
Still less scary than the news right now... Elisa you've done it again!
Please do A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night!!!!
Police- why did you killed those men
Me- for ART!!!
Seriously, there needs to be a pro Werewolf reviewer on UA-cam. We're seriously under represented online!! GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!
the film was shot in Slovakia not in Slovenia.Specifically ať the Orava Castle.
@rl20777 Nosferatu (2024), Bill Skarsgard.
Great review, have been looking forward for your review of this classic. Hope you'll someday review "Shadow of the Vampire" and the 1979 remake of Nosferatu.
I'm writing an essay for uni on Nosferatu and this review was actually really helpful so thank you :D