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Werner Herzog was, and still is, a very talented film-maker, but he's not the only reason as to why to see 'Nosferatu the Vampyre'. That it is based on a classic story, had a larger than life, commanding and great actor in the title role in Klaus Kinski and that it was a re-make of the 1922 Murnau masterpiece 'Nosferatu' were further interest points.
Admittedly did question as to whether 'Nosferatu the Vampyre' would work, being a re-make. Re-makes hardly ever are equal to their originals and some don't even come close. There is no doubting which is better and more influential between Murnau's film and this, but 'Nosferatu the Vampyre' is a strong example of a re-make that works well, with the Murnau film being a very clear influence, and is a very good film on its own terms. Found myself never questioning its necessity, like can be the case watching re-makes.
The ending is a little rushed and doesn't quite have the unforgettable chills or power of the 1922 film. Personally had little problem with the acting, but a couple of actors did deserve more screen time, a notable example being Van Helsing. Can understand the criticisms with the pacing, 'Nosferatu the Vampyre' to me actually worked very well as a deliberate mood piece and as a film told through primarily visuals but maybe yes it could have taken a little less longer to get going.
'Nosferatu the Vampyre' looks magnificent, perhaps one of Herzog's most visually striking and most atmospheric films. This is coming from the director whose films were also well-made and looked great but when his films are being talked about this element can be upstaged by the talking about the themes and Herzog's trademarks, which are undeniably fascinating to read and talk about but Herzog's production values are worthy of a little more credit. The colours dazzle, the lighting is very atmospheric with a striking contrast of light and dark, the production design is both audacious and eerie but how the camera shots and editing are composed.
Popol Vuh's music score is both unsettling and dream-like, matching the nature of the visuals perfectly. Typically Herzog directs splendidly, delivering on the substance as well as the style. The script flows surprisingly well and is cohesive, and the story is rich in an atmosphere that's at times grimly eerie and at times contemplative. Despite calling it a re-make, 'Nosferatu the Vampyre' is more a faithful homage while also having significant updates and expanding on the titular character's tragic loneliness.
Klaus Kinski is in towering form as Nosferatu. He is genuinely scary in a larger than life way, almost as nightmare inducing as Maximilian Schreck, but counter-points that wonderfully with tragic pathos delivered with heartfelt sincerity. While the other actors aren't quite as good the divide isn't as wide as one would think. Isabelle Adjani is suitably ethereal, making even more of an impression are Roland Topor's creepy, skin-crawlingly so, Renfield and Bruno Ganz's assertive but vulnerable Harker (a role much better acted than most, a notoriously bad example being Keanu Reeves in Coppola's otherwise often impressive film). Walter Ladengast is suitably low-key though with not a role as meaty as ought.
Overall, great film. 9/10 Bethany Cox
