UPC: 13131207095 Original Release Date: 1979 Release Date: 7/9/2002
Region Code: 1 Source: ANCHOR BAY Format: DVD - Wide Screen
Production and Technical Notes: Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1) Presentation: Wide Screen Sound: Dolby Digital Mono, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Features: Widescreen presentation enhanced for 16x9 TVs; audio commentary with director Werner Herzog and Norman Hill; "The Making of Nosferatu"; theatrical trailers; talent bios; German Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track; English Dolby Digital Mono audio track. Language: English, Deutsche Subtitles: English Time: 1 Hour 47 Minutes
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From Barnes & Noble German iconoclast Werner Herzog's 1979 Dracula film is indeed a remake of F. W. Murnau's silent classic, but it's also first and foremost a Herzog film: deliberate and stylistic in the extreme. Klaus Kinski stars as the bloodthirsty Count, who, upon purchasing a local home, sucks Jonathan Harker (Bruno Ganz) and his wife Lucy (Isabelle Adjani) into a world of darkness and immortality. As usual, Herzog's wildly imaginative and surreal imagery makes a lingering impression and remains distinct even as it quotes the Murnau classic. Despite the efforts of Herzog and cinematographer J�rg Schmidt-Reitwein, though, Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht is mainly carried by the inimitable Kinski. Previously and appropriately cast as the crazy Renfield in Jes�s Franco's 1970 El Conde Dr�cula, Kinski was no stranger to the legend. His Dracula here is as menacing as he is sympathetic, appearing as a cross between Max Schreck and a sad, albino man-bat. The Count's tragic immortality and the turmoil he arouses afford Kinski license to chew the scenery in an uncharacteristically placid way. But while fans of the star's tortured melodramatics in Aguirre: The Wrath of God and Woyzeck may feel slightly disappointed, there is no shortage of the grueling, Herzog-Kinski intensity that ensures a uniquely challenging cinematic experience for all. Tony Nigro
From All Movie Guide For the 1979 remake of F. W. Murnau's classic 1922 silent horrorfest Nosferatu, star Klaus Kinski adopted the same makeup style used by Murnau's leading man Max Schreck. Major difference: Kinski was by far the better actor, and his makeup became more and more decayed and desiccated as the film progressed. Essentially a retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula, Nosferatu the Vampyre traces the blood-sucking progress of the Count as he takes over a small German village, then attempts to spread his influence and activities to the rest of the world. All that prevents Dracula from continuing his demonic practices is the self-sacrifice of Lucy Harker, played by Isabelle Adjani. Director Werner Herzog used the story to parallel the rise of Nazism. The film was lensed in the Dutch towns of Delft and Scheiberg. Nosferatu was filmed in both an English and a German-speaking version; the latter runs 11 minutes longer. Hal Erickson
A reviewer, A reviewer, July 19, 2004 Hated it. The original is a pure classic, this sucked. Good directing but just doesnt live up to the original.
Also Recommended: Clerks, Mallrats, Hellraiser
Jack Johnson, a regular guy that watches movies., May 6, 2003 This Nosferatu Vampyre ain't no Count Chocula! I loved this! I'm more a fan of campy vampires, the ''blah, blah, I vant to suck your blood'' kind but this Nosferatu is some serious stuff. It's fun to watch the English and German versions. I actually got into the German version a little more because I could read on the screen exactly what everyone was saying. Even if you are not a big fan of vampires or monsters in general this is just a good movie. Some of the strangest scenes in this movie involved rats. Rats play a big role in this movie but not in a sickening or graphic way. This is anything but a gore movie. It's well thought out, put together and edited. The acting is wonderful.
Also Recommended: The Wicker Man. Hell Night.
November 30, 2002 The best gothic film ever I disagree with the people who say that the original is better. I think they are just repeating what the ''wise'' critics say. In my opinion this film has images of dark gothic beauty that the original cannot even dream about. Claus Kinsky's performance is wonderful and Herzog's direction superb. The crown to all this is the imposing gothic music. In all, one of the few cases when the remake is uncomparably better than the original.
Also Recommended: Bram Stocker's Dracula (Director: Coppola) The Resurrected (Starring: Chris Saradon) Interview with a Vampire
November 8, 2002 Images I don't quite agree with the first review. This film has something magic about it, music, images, yes haunting images that can leave you dazzled and wondering what this world, all our being is about. I also don't think that this film is for normal audience, far from that and we should not compare it with ''the original'' and by the way, what is the original? Boundaries between original and image can be very elusive, if there are at all! Can somebody let me know, if there is the soundtrack to this film? I have been looking for it, but so far nothing...
Les, a critical fan of horror movies, July 18, 2002 A Pale but Adequate Imitation of the Original Herzog's remake is a tribute to Murnau but was it really necessary? See THE ORIGINAL then compare and decide yourself. This version offers little that the 1922 production didn't already do better. It probably satisfies less attentive modern audiences who can't get into old black & white/tinted silent films but must see everything in color with contemporary actors and present-day film & narrative techniques. Interesting to see Kinski in one his last roles as one ugly vampire, but he is no Max Schreck. Adjani looks quite goth spooky too in the character that Greta Schroeder first portrayed.
Also Recommended: Shadow of the Vampire, Nosferatu
Come one come all Mortals who are willing to stick their neck out for a vampire to feed upon. We will be willing to share our Dark Gift to you mortals if you pass our test.
