Shadow of the Vampire

Extremely creative and interesting, this film presents a mixture of real events and fiction that gives it a unique touch. The narrative focuses on the behind-the-scenes production of *Nosferatu*, incorporating fictional elements that retell the story with fascinating poetic license. The performances are excellent, with Willem Dafoe in particular shining as Count Orlok; his actions and expressions are distinctive and marvellous, managing to entertain, frighten and also be hilarious at times. The cinematography is stunning, alternating shooting styles that harmonize perfectly with the editing, recreating some classic scenes. More than a tribute to the original work, the film is a tribute to the creativity and magic of cinema, presented in a simple, effective and innovative way.

This was pretty interesting and Willem was AMAZING!

Malkovitch and Dafoe hamming it up against each other. What more could you want? Malkovitch is having a blast portraying a mad director more in the lens of a comedically exaggerated Herzog than the real life Murnau. And Dafoe lives up to Nosferatu as a beast chained to his nature, but one aware of that fact deep down, sad and lonely even as he gives in it to it with glee and catharsis. And in turn, he reflects how Murnau is the same. He sacrifices people for the same pleasure and need of his nature, his own immortality- the perfect film. The film stagnates a little when the two aren’t against each other. Despite Cary Elwes, a man happy to go big when even slightly asked, being among the ensemble none of them get to match the energy the two leads bring. There are touches of old school filmmaking here like the interstitials, the camera format, and the lenses, but I still wanted a little bit more. For such a great concept, it doesn’t get as much play as they could’ve gotten out of it. Still, it’s a very fun time and meta commentary on filmmaking, and a great way to prep for the Nosferatu remake Dafoe also stars in.

I really loved John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe's presence on screen, honestly everyone was great here—I liked the movie and it was a nice watch for sure. Maybe not the kind of horror meant to scare you but definitely unsettled me and really went into how consuming art can be when taken to extremes.

I didn't understand some of the movie's scenes, choices or conversations at first but when you let it sit with you for awhile it starts to all make sense. This is perhaps my first real vampire movie I think too. I did feel like the structure was a bit smashed together.

I think the final scene though made it worth it, it wasn't the longest movie in the world and it was really rewarding seeing the characters on screen themselves. [spoiler] My favorite part was Murnau's arguments with Max Shreck by far, the lighting, the emotion and the implication of losing control over the film from the standpoint of the directing and acting AND the financing. I wish we maybe got a scene of the fiancers themselves and had that part a bit developed to truly paint Murnau's obsession and his loss of control over time. But I'm honestly content overall. I just don't understand though how the crew could've been so... gullible? Like the state that Wolfgang was in afterwards, and how Max jumped at the chance of blood when Gustav cut himself—I felt like they should've caught on earlier but I think this is just a benefit of the audience standing outside of the frame more than anything. Besides someone did catch on.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]The only scene I didn't really understand was when the girl (I think it was Greta) was drugged on morphine (or something). I also think the Vampire was too easily defeated, there's no way Murnau thought he could control a real vampire but perhaps that's the point of the movie the entire time.[/spoiler]

I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I didn't realize this was a fictional re-telling of the making of the 1922 German horror film Nosferatu, where the myth was that Max Schreck, (who played the title role), was an actual vampire.

It wasn't until he started to kill the crew members that I had my suspicion.

The movie was a bit of a disappointment. After a good start, with interesting characters and great atmosphere, the plot quickly descends into a series of set pieces with no cohesion. The movie has horror elements but it is neither scary or thrilling. Malkovich and Dafoe are the highlights with great acting and charisma on screen but in the end the movie feels hollow and underdeveloped.

A fictional telling of the making F.W. Murnau's "Nosferatu", the scariest depiction of a vampire ever made. And that's exactly the problem. Willem Dafoe's portrayal of Count Orlock is too silly. It's a fine performance, but it's hard to get any level of fear out of it. Max Schreck/Count Orlock is too goofy to even be seen as anything but weird by the rest of the cast and it makes Murnau's sacrificial pact with Schreck lack almost all impact. Until Schreck's reflection is not seen in a mirror do we even view him as a threat.

Yes, it's a dark comedy and John Malkovich is really good. There are some cool directorial flourishes, especially the black and white displayed when the crew is actively making "Nosferatu". It was interesting to hear Murnau coaching the actors during filming since it was a silent film after all.

The highlight of “Shadow of the Vampire” is clearly the premise. The idea that the lead actor of the horror classic "Nosferatu," Max Schreck, was actually a real vampire is quite compelling. However, the execution of this fictional making-of is not always successful. I would have liked it to fit in better with the real world, but for example, characters who were alive and kicking in real life are also killed off here.

I was also not completely convinced by Willem Dafoe's interpretation of Schreck. He does a good job overall, but for me, he doesn't quite capture the aura that the German radiated in the 1922 film. In contrast, I liked John Malkovich better as the obsessive director Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau.

Ultimately, “Shadow of the Vampire” is a nice companion piece to "Nosferatu," but not much more. Without knowing the classic, this movie is probably not particularly worth your while.

Shadow of the Vampire is an intriguing and provocative dramatic thriller that satirizes the silent film classic Nosferatu. The film supposes that Max Schreck was an actual vampire recruited by director F. W. Murnau to play Count Orlok in order to get an authentic performance, but tragedy plagues the set of Nosferatu as a number of the crew fall victim to mysterious attacks. John Malkovich, Willem Dafoe, and Cary Elwes deliver strong performances; particularly Dafoe, who does an exceptional job capturing Max Schreck’s original performance. And, it’s really impressive how well the film incorporates and recreates footage from Nosferatu, which serves to enhance the reality of the film. Yet as clever as the concept is, it doesn’t ever feel like the film is living up to its potential; as if the story isn’t taking the concept far enough. But even with its problems, Shadow of the Vampire is a fascinating film.

First half is good and intriguing but after a while it turns a little silly or goofy and kind of loses you, although still a decent movie and Willem Dafoe and John Malkovich are both great.