Bangin' film, loved it.
Quick background info: Nosferatu was made in 1921 and released in 1922. It is an adaptation of Bram Stokers 'Dracula', but when it was made, there were a variety of legal problems which caused the film to be slightly different to THE 'Dracula'. (Such as the word Nosferatu replacing the word vampire, and character Jonathan Harker being named Thomas Hutter in Nosferatu instead.)
The landscape and setting is underground, almost subterranean, which has not only a spooky affect as it is concealed and hidden, also could have an alternate meaning, think underground-where the dead are buried? But it also offers 'obstacles' in Hutter's pathway, creating a sense of unknown and the unexpected.
Talking of the unknown, there is a sense of supernatural in the silent thriller, Nina and her husband are aware of each other and when Renfield is in town, the old vamp 'knows'. 'The Unknown' could also refer to the idea that the audience knows that it is the vampire that is killing the people, yet Hutter doesn't know, creating dramatic irony.
Can I just say, I LOVE THIS GOTHIC STUFF. IT'S BELTING.
Steph's point about the dramatic irony is also evident at the beginning of the film, or at least warnings for it. For example Harker, (or Hutter?) laughs at the people who are afraid of Dracula's castle and doesn't seem to realise the danger ahead. As the audience is also unaware of exactly what the danger is at this point, it builds up tension. This then leads to an increased sense of dramatic irony as we have already been given clues and are in suspense as to what we should be afraid of.
ReplyDeletep.s. just re-read that and I wrote that horrifically. soz.
ReplyDeletePlus, at the beginning, it says 'don't be afraid', which sets up the idea for the audience that there is something to be frightened of. Guna stop commenting now so other people can have a go. luls.
ReplyDeleteI just realised as well, perhaps the whole idea of the film being 'silent' creates atmosphere, because speech is missing (kind of), you won't hear the characters emotions in their voices. The speech is a key part of films, being silent could envoke mysteriousness, creepiness and other things like that.
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