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Halloween Video Review: ‘Nosferatu, the Vampyre’

Looking for something eerie to watch this Halloween? Forget renting predictable Hollywood slasher films. Instead, watch “Nosferatu, the Vampyre,” a German remake of the 1922 silent film classic, “Nosferatu, a Symphony of Terror.”

Directed by Werner Herzog, a leading figure in German new-wave cinema, the remake was originally released in 1979 and was not available on video until only recently.

“Nosferatu the Vampyre” has plenty of creepy scenes. There are (real) mummies, thousands of rats, a phantom castle, coffins, the plague and (of course) Count Dracula himself, played by eccentric and temperamental German actor Klaus Kinski. .

As in the original silent film, Kinski’s vampire appears as a grotesque combination of rat and bat. At the same time, he is a sympathetic character, conveying a sense of sadness about his loneliness and immortality.

As the story goes, Jonathan Harker (Bruno Ganz) journeys across the mysterious Carpathian Mountains to arrange for the count to purchase a new home. The count is initially hospitable to Jonathan, who doesn’t suspect that danger is approaching. Soon after their transaction is complete, the count leaves his phantom castle to arrive with coffins and rats at the unsuspecting town of Wismar. Chaos ensues as the rats spread plague throughout the town. Meanwhile the count sets his eyes on Harker’s beautiful and enigmatic wife, Lucy (played by French actress Isabelle Adjani), who sacrifices herself in an attempt to save the town and Jonathan.

The story follows the traditional vampire plot; however, its atmospheric music, dreamy cinematography and portrayal of the count make it a more interesting and original version to watch.

Rent “Nosferatu the Vampyre” at Scarecrow Video on Roosevelt Way or Video Theatre Movie Club in Lake City.