May 29, 2002

FORL3160 Minutes

 

 

We watched and discussed Nosferatu

 

This is a typical vampire movie in which the vampire and a beautiful woman have a connection. This woman belongs to someone else. Ultimately it is this connection that kills the vampire.

 

 

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe the way Murnau uses the elements of cinema, such things as (a) camera movement, placement, and distance (b) lighting, shadows (c) mis-en-scene- the way people are positioned with in the frame (d) editing the way scenes are ordered, to enhance the evil power of the vampire.

 

The vampire’s evil power was enhanced by: the shadow of Nosferatu as he entered Nina’s room (The shadow) was larger than life. Shadows are always considered spooky. Upon entering Harker’s room the vampire is shown stepping up into a Gothic doorway almost filling the doorway up with his frame. This only makes him spookier. When Harker entered the vampire’s home the majority of the shot was taken up by background with Harker appearing tiny from the chest up at the bottom. This depicted the greatness of the vampire in comparison to Harker. The editing contrasted Harker’s journey to the vampire’s. Going back and forth between the two showed how Harker’s journey was somewhat hectic compared to the peaceful journey at sea of the powerful evil vampire. Editing also showed the cause and effect relationship between Nina’s sleepwalking and the vampire leaving Jonathan alone. It also showed a connection between the two.

 

  1. Released in 1920, two years after WWI, what scenes would remind contemporary viewers of the way that just ended and the current misery that they are in?

 

The whole idea of the plague and disease and the worry of death contribute to this. The scenes of rats running rampant suggest poverty. Coffins are being carried down the street and the crosses on the shore are all images of death, which is a reminder of war. Harker’s departure and Nina’s worrying and waiting for his return is similar of a soldier going off to war, leaving his wife behind. When Harker was sent off to Transylvania he was told he would make a lot of money even if it would cause him a little pain. This follows the idea that it was worth pain to make money.

 

  1. Critics noted an anti-Semitic subtext in this film. What evidence is there to support this argument?

 

Renfield is a stereotypical image of a Jew. The vampire’s hooked nose is an over exaggerated stereotype. This was during a time when Jews were coming east after the war. The vampire coming brought the plague and death.

 

  1. How does Murnau prepare us for Nina’s sacrifice?

There is a link between the vampire and Nina when he notices her photo and comments on how beautiful her neck is. When Harker gives her flowers she is saddened by the fact the flowers will die rather than thrilled to receive flowers from her husband. They were also connected thru editing when she was sleepwalking while he was in Harker’s room. They seemed to sense each other. After reading the Book of the Vampire over and over again and watching the coffins being carried through town Nina seemed to be contemplating what she should do.

 

  1. How does this differ from other film versions of the vampire legend?

 

In other vampire movies the victims of his bite become vampires. In this film they just died. This movie seemed to be missing all the usual antidotes to kill the vampire such as garlic, crosses, and holy water, but daylight was still deadly.