The Shadow of the Vampire
2001/Horror/R
Stars: ** 1/2 Explanation of ratings
A fascinating study in silent-era films, but don't expect to be terrified.
The Shadow of the Vampire is one of the oddest horror films I have ever seen, although I'm not a big horror fan. It combines the plot of a traditional vampire movie with the feel of pre-Universal Studios gothic, which is congruous with the movie's 1921 setting of the filming of F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu. Visually, the movie is wonderful. It recreates the atmosphere of an old horror film as well as the atmosphere of the set of a silent film. The sets are much simpler than the multimillion dollar sets of today. There are scenes where the audience gets a black and white camera's eye view of things, and there are a few titles reminiscent of classic silent film titles. The castle in the film caught my eye as especially eerie. It was unelaborate, but it was dark and dusty and in ruin.
Willem Dafoe's vampire steals the show. His costume and makeup are so unlike the vampires we are used to seeing. His fangs are not needle-sharp canine teeth, but chesel-shaped front teeth. Gone, also, are the widow's peak and black cape. This Count is balding and whithered, just like Murnau's vampire that he portrays. We want to trust him, but we know we can't. He is not so much evil as shifty and standoffish, and very much has his own agenda.
I don't know in what other film we can see John Malcovich, Willem Dafoe and Cary Elwes together. While Dafoe's character is creepy and gothic, Malcovich's character, Murnau, is a typical cold, impatient, decadant Wiemar man. He is also a mad scientist (he is called "Herr Doktor" throughout the film). We see a typical Elwes character who is rowdy and does everything with flair. Together, this is an odd combination.
Do not expect this movie to turn your knuckles white and give you nightmares. Shadow is only halfway serious. There were many times when the audience laughed, mostly at the odd expressions Dafoe makes many times. Unfortunately, while the premise was original, the plot was far too predictable. The ending was not a surprise, but at least it was different. There is some profanity and nudity, but not much in the way of blood and guts.
The Shadow of the Vampire targets fans of classic horror rather than the slasher movie crowd. If you can appreciate this type of film done in an rather artsy way, and you don't mind the simplistic plot, Shadow should entertain you, but don't expect a masterpiece. It also helps if you know your pre-war history. I'm going to have to rent the original Nosferatu.