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Shadow of the Vampire In the center of blackness, a white figure sits up, straight as a board. Its arms are crossed, its eyes are shining knowingly, its teeth are gleaming with maniacal glee. I recognized the image, but something was wrong. It was the rising of the vampire from his coffin in the original vampire movie, 1922's Nosferatu. But instead of Max Schrenk playing Count Orlock, it is Willem Dafoe, though he is nearly unrecognizable under makeup. The actors in Shadow of the Vampire are enacting a very clever scenario, at the center of which is a very clever conceit: Not only is this a lovely-looking film (all authentic faded color and bright black & white), but it's a fascinating inquiry into the background of virtually unknown, outside of this film, actor Max Schrenk. Was so little known about his life outside of Nosferatu because he was, in fact, a reclusive vampire who had to be constantly rebuked from eating the crew members? There isn't much to the story, once this central thought is outlined and expanded, but that certainly isn't all there is to the film. Probably director F.W. Murnau wasn't quite the cold-hearted perfectionist as portrayed, but he certainly was a perfectionist, filming every scene in the location where it was set. But despite possible historical exaggerations, the film raises the question: How far is too far for a director (or any other artist) to go for accuracy? But let's not get too philosophical. Bottom line, a good-looking movie, with an interesting plot, based on a clever idea. A few chills, many campy laughs, and a great sense of satisfaction. Horror fans may find it too tame, and many younger people raised on Hollywood movies with probably think it is too campy, but for anyone who loves films and filmmaking, Shadow of the Vampire is a must-see. *** out of **** Page last updated 9/30/04. |
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