Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror | 1922 | Horror

Title: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror | 1922 | Horror Director: F. W. Murnau Studio: Prana Film Starring: Max Schreck, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schröder, Alexander Granach Based on: Unofficial adaptation of *Dracula* by Bram Stoker Release Date: March 1922 (Germany) Runtime: Approximately 63–94 minutes (varies by version) Format: Silent black and white with German intertitles Country: Weimar Republic (Germany) Language: Silent Genres: Horror Expressionist --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Hutter’s journey to Count Orlok’s castle 00:10:00 Introduction to Count Orlok 00:20:00 Orlok’s ominous presence and departure 00:30:00 Orlok’s arrival in Wisborg 00:40:00 Plague and fear spread through the town 00:50:00 Ellen’s peril and climactic confrontation 01:00:00 Dawn and Orlok’s demise --- Summary: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror is a 1922 German silent horror film directed by F. W. Murnau and widely regarded as a pioneering work of the genre. The story follows Thomas Hutter, a young real estate agent who travels to Transylvania to meet the reclusive Count Orlok. Unaware that Orlok is a vampire, Hutter becomes entangled in the creature’s dark plans, which culminate in the vampire’s journey to the German town of Wisborg and the subsequent spread of plague and terror. Central to the narrative is the eerie presence of Count Orlok and the growing dread that grips the community as supernatural menace encroaches on ordinary life. Nosferatu’s narrative blends gothic horror with expressionist visual style, using stark shadows, distorted imagery, and haunting performances to evoke fear and unease. The film’s influence on horror cinema is profound, establishing many visual and thematic conventions associated with cinematic portrayals of the undead. --- Background: Produced by Prana Film from a screenplay by Henrik Galeen, Nosferatu was filmed in Germany during the silent era and emerged amid the flourishing of German Expressionist cinema. Although created without official rights to Bram Stoker’s *Dracula*, the film adapts key elements of the novel with altered character names and settings. Its stylistic emphasis on atmospheric dread, elaborate shadows, and stark composition reflects the broader aesthetic movements of post-World War I German filmmaking. --- Trivia: Nosferatu is one of the earliest surviving screen adaptations inspired by Bram Stoker’s *Dracula* novel and remains a foundational work in horror cinema. Max Schreck’s portrayal of Count Orlok is continually cited as one of the most iconic and unsettling performances in horror film history. The film faced legal action from Stoker’s widow over copyright infringement, resulting in a court order for existing prints to be destroyed, though several survived and were later restored. Nosferatu’s use of real locations such as Orava Castle in Slovakia contributed to its haunting and realistic atmosphere. The expressionist cinematography and set design influenced later horror and avant-garde filmmaking internationally. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: March 1922 (Germany) Original Studio / Distributor: Prana Film Copyright Status: Public Domain (entered public domain in many countries) Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #Nosferatu1922 #FWMurnau #MaxSchreck #SilentHorror #ExpressionistCinema #ClassicFilm #PublicDomain