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Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)

Director: Werner Herzog

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From Time Out Film Guide

Stylish, sombre, owing little to the Murnau classic and nothing to Hammer or Hollywood, Herzog's foray into Dracula territory is the story of an inhabitant of 18th century Delft (Ganz, striving hard to expand the limits of his part), whose encounter with the weary, jealous Count (Kinski, indescribable) brings doom to his marriage, home town and self. Unfortunately, Herzog's inspired seriousness creates serious problems, for the film is too aware of its cultural dimensions (the Plague, Faust, Freud), too lacking in narrative drive, to work as a horror story. And the impressively detailed historical recreation tends to undermine - not underline - the deliberate silent-screen formality of acting and (minimal) dialogue. It's an error of conception which clouds over the luminous photography and excellent performances with an intermittent failure of style: fascinating, but flawed.

Author: CA

Time Out Film Guide


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Cast & crew

Director: Werner Herzog

Producer: Werner Herzog

Cast: Klaus Kinski, Isabelle Adjani, Bruno Ganz, Roland Topor, Walter Ladengast, Dan Van Husen, Jacques Dufilho full cast

Genre(s): Horror

Duration: 107 mins

US Release: Jan 17 1979

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