Tim Burton: A German Expressionism Influence

Tim Burton, being one of the most known directors of our time and having a very unique style,has a big influence on the younger crowd, but we wondered who influenced him. By doing some research we discovered that german expressionism plays a big part in his movies and that it can be found in many of them. Along with my friends, Patrícia Tavares and Carina Nobre, we decided to make a visual study and compare some of Burtons best movies with the most important and known german impressionest ones.
/ cinemasemlei
/ cinemasemlei

[@weezer_fan69]

Fun fact: the "main" antagonist in Batman returns is named after Max Schreck, the actor that played Nosferatu in the 1922 movie

[@dulcinealord7486]

My theatre history professor showed this in his theatre history class when we learned Expressionism! (and the song is really pretty!)

[@rodrigoaramayo9700]

This art styles should never die. This is the secret to make real Horror Movies instead to make fucking screamers.

[@isobelduncan]

I reckon the fact that they were silent films as well worked to their advantage as well, as it emphasises the tension and eeriness.

[@makaigrady2978]

Pro tip: watch series on Flixzone. I've been using it for watching all kinds of movies during the lockdown.

[@aldophilip7089]

@Makai Grady yea, have been using Flixzone} for since december myself =)

[@OrionHellraiser]

To me Edward Scissorhands was always like a friendly copy of Cesare the sonambulist from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

[@user-nw3qf4xf2e]

Indeed, but the way he walks makes me more think of Nosferatu and Cesare himself than the Robot from Metropolis

[@CruciatusVXS]

Kudos for the great job, although I think 2:24 is actually from Metropolis. Also, don't forget the fact that Ch. Walken's character was named Max Schreck!

[@Beefy-Cheese]

Definitely from metropolis.

[@user-nw3qf4xf2e]

You forgot 0:54. This is from Metropolis too and not from Faust.

[@jennymeek2702]

Fantastic job, cheers for sharing! :)

0:54 - 2:24 These images do not correspond to Faust but to Metropolis.

[@helasanaa754]

thank you

[@LadyNaomiah]

no TB without caligari

[@marcbrasse747]

Erm, if i remember correctly the scene with Death playing flute on a bone is actually from Metropolis.

[@Lunaleodrune]

Hi, I was wondering if I could use clips and screenshots of this in a video for UA-cam? I would give full credit of course :)

[@semlei9019]

Hi Lauren, you surely can :)

[@NgoJosh]

2:29 I believe it is Metropolis not Faust

[@fireflamesss]

Exactly .. i did a meme using it .. it's in metropolis 100%

[@GranamyrKhan]

Brigitte Helm, so beatiful... German expressionism is fascinating.

[@alexhodgkinson6718]

I'd also say Henry Selick is influenced by it.

[@DeepEye1994]

I'm still angry they didn't let him adapt "Dark Town" faithfully, it was gonna have SO MUCH colorful German Expressionism.

[@joanarodriguez7486]

list of songs ?
Good video btw :)

[@machineenihcam6201]

look up "The Danny Elfman Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music Box Suite"

[@user-nw3qf4xf2e]

0:54 This is not from Faust but from Metropolis like here : 2:24

[@NTTHT]

Amazing video!

[@thebloopnet9723]

What’s the name of the song playing at the beginning

[@machineenihcam6201]

look up "The Danny Elfman Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music Box Suite"

[@baldboyfriend8589]

Can anyone give me an exact definition of German Expressionism? Like why it makes it the unique style it is? I do have a good definition, but I wanted to see what other people know of it.

[@marcbrasse747]

Most basically German Expressionism translates the (mostly negative) thoughts and emotions of the people who are in the stories into a literal part of the visual style. These figures tend to live on the fringes of society. Outcasts, sufferers of terrible fates, madmen, murderers. The visualisation reflects the level of their "angst" (which after all is the German word for fear!). It can be seen as a style that tried to process the horrors of the First World War but it is often also interpreted as predicting the rise of the Nazi's and the Second Wold War. That last bit is however a meaning projected upon it after the fact. Hollywood's Film Noir can be seen as a re-interpretation of this style. The settings are more realistic but life is still not a barrel of laughs. Luckily Burton's interpretation is on average a bit more positive. Many of his heroes mean well in spite of having to live in expressionistic surroundings. For him these seem to symbolize the intolerance and hypocracy of the "normal" people.

[@Themoonnevershineagain]

hi I just wondering, what's name of the music that you used in this video?

[@weezer_fan69]

It’s a mixture of Danny elfman compositions. They’re called Ice dance, Sally’s song and the breakfast machine

[@choklader]

Great video! And beautiful music, what song is it?

[@coloR030]

I'd like to know that too .

[@semlei9019]

Thank you very much. Search for "The Danny Elfman Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music Box Suite" :)

[@coloR030]

Thank you !

[@qwertymanova2652]

Wow.Mesmerizing

[@warmonger8799]

[@meatforlunch6620]

The title of the song(s) used in this video ?

[@meatforlunch6620]

I REALLY NEED TO KNOW, IM DYING OVER THIS

[@machineenihcam6201]

@@meatforlunch6620 look up "The Danny Elfman Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music Box Suite"

[@Vj1217]

Thomas amchi vittan

[@baraahassan7968]

anyone here watching from a school?

[@BodyRibbonz]

No. Shut up.

[@baraahassan7968]

@@BodyRibbonz oh then ur not from a school so u shut up cuz no one was talking to u

[@mysticaledits1195]

D4n3iko mee

[@opticalmixing23]

he plagiarized everything

[@BeautifulMutant]

Originality is a lie.....

[@matthewmaldonado9698]

this isnt plagirism... this is called taking inspiration, every artist does it