Nosferatu... A silent horror

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Plot Summary: It all started with a dream Ellen Hutter (Greta Schröder) had about awakening a spirit of the underworld which becomes her spirit husband.

Thomas Hutter (Gustav Von Wangenheim) was a real estate agent who was sent to Transylvania by his employer, Knock. His mission was to finalize a deal with an odd client—Count Orlok.

But Ellen, his wife, sensed something deeply sinister due to the dream she had and begged Thomas not to go because impending doom looming underneath, but Thomas convinced Ellen that this was for their future as the deal would bring in good money.

Thomas left Ellen in the care of his friend and family while he was away.

When Thomas stopped over at a small village to rest for the night, the locals warned him about Orlok, "You mustn't go to the castle of Count Orlok", "Return to your country foreigner", "Beware of his shadow for it covers you in a nightmare", "There is no escape"—they all said! but he ignored them all and dismissed their fears.

On reaching, Thomas met Count Orlok, a gaunt rat-like figure with hollow eyes, razor-sharp teeth and elongated fingers who moved in the dark with a demonic presence. Thomas felt terrible, became unwell after bite marks on his chest and worse….there wasn't an escape route, he had been trapped!!.

Count Orlok took the necklace Ellen had given Thomas, becoming more obsessed with her. Thomas escaped and was found by the locals who revived him. But Thomas wouldn't wait till he was completely healed, he hurried back home to his wife after realizing that what she had told him was true and to protect her from Count Orlok.

Meanwhile, Ellen back at home suffered from seizures, experienced strange visions. The doctor, sent for by Thomas' friend, couldn't even determine what exactly the problem was until he advised that she should be referred to Professor Bulwer—a knowledgeable doctor concerning the supernatural phenomena. He came, made observations and concluded it wasn't something normal, and tried explaining to Thomas' friend that it was spiritual, but he wouldn't hear of it.

Thomas finally returned unwell, while Orlok found a way to Wisborg, Germany by boarding a ship. During this voyage, the crew died one after the other. Orlok brought a plague to Wisborg that started killing people. Orlok then appeared to Ellen, telling her to renew her vow or mourn the deaths of her loved ones, including her husband. Ellen didn't believe him and before she knew it, death came knocking and wiped out all the family members of Thomas' friend, Thomas' friend who couldn't bear this huge loss, later died.

Ellen, victim and saviour was the sacrificial lamb for the whole of Wisborg and for her husband. This fair maiden offered up her love unto the beast and laid with him in close embrace unto the first crow.

Immediately the first rays of light came upon him…Orlok vanished into dust, which brought his end and the end of Ellen. Her willing sacrifice thus broke the curse and freed them from the plague of Nosferatu.

At the heart of this eerie tale is Count Orlok, played by Max Schreck. His performance is not just unsettling, it is alien with an unforgettable intensity. And Greta Schröder’s Ellen? She is the soul of the film, from her suspended, trance-like introduction to her self-sacrificial finale, which brought redemption to her people.

I can tell you that you will be hooked while watching the movie—Nosferatu— a genre of horror. Story plot and visual style is applaudable. If you are a fan of eerie silent movies, then this is a must watch.

A 9/10 for this wonderful movie.

I am @edith-4angelseu and thank you for stopping by my neighbourhood.