In Robert Wiene’s groundbreaking 1920 silent film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Cesare, the somnambulist, dies from exhaustion after being chased by a mob through the distorted streets of Holstenwall1. This German Expressionist masterpiece, with its iconic intertitles, tells a chilling tale of manipulation, murder, and madness. While seemingly a straightforward answer, Cesare’s fate is deeply intertwined with the film’s expressionistic style, unreliable narrator, and exploration of themes such as authority, control, and the nature of reality. This iconic character, portrayed by Conrad Veidt, remains a source of fascination for film scholars and enthusiasts alike, prompting discussions about his symbolic meaning and the film’s enduring legacy.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was written by Hans Janowitz and Carl Mayer1. It was a pioneering work of German Expressionist cinema, a movement that emerged in the aftermath of World War I. The film’s distorted sets, dramatic lighting, and unsettling narrative reflected the anxieties and social upheaval of the time. Cesare’s tragic fate, manipulated by the sinister Dr. Caligari, serves as a potent symbol of the individual’s vulnerability in the face of unchecked authority.
Cesare: A Somnambulist and a Tool
Cesare is a somnambulist, a sleepwalker under the complete control of Dr. Caligari. He has been asleep for 23 years and spends his days confined to a coffin-like cabinet, awakened only at his master’s command1. Caligari uses him as a sideshow attraction at the town fair, exploiting his ability to seemingly predict the future2. Cesare’s eerie appearance, with his dark, sunken eyes and stiff, almost mechanical movements, adds to the film’s unsettling atmosphere3. He embodies the film’s exploration of the duality of human nature, existing in a liminal state between life and death, consciousness and unconsciousness1.
One of the most striking scenes involving Cesare occurs at the fair when he predicts the death of Alan, Franzis’s friend4. When Alan asks Cesare how long he has to live, Cesare responds with the chilling prophecy, “Till the break of dawn.” 4 This sets in motion the film’s central conflict and highlights Cesare’s role as an instrument of fate.
Cesare’s Demise: A Chase and a Collapse
Cesare’s death occurs after he attempts to kidnap Jane, the fiancée of Franzis1. While under Caligari’s hypnotic suggestion to kill Jane, Cesare hesitates, seemingly captivated by her beauty2. He is unable to kill her, so he abducts her instead6. This moment of defiance, albeit fleeting, suggests a flicker of humanity within the somnambulist. However, he ultimately abducts Jane, leading to a dramatic chase through the town1.
The chase scene is a visual masterpiece, with Cesare’s stiff, jerky movements contrasting with the distorted architecture of Holstenwall5. His movements are restrained, almost robotic, as if he is gliding through the shadows5. He is pursued by an angry mob, their shadows swirling around him as he climbs over rooftops and through narrow alleyways. Finally, exhausted and overwhelmed, Cesare collapses and dies1. His death, while tragic, can be interpreted as a release from Caligari’s control, a final escape from his manipulated existence. Adding to the intrigue, the police later discover a dummy in Cesare’s cabinet, further illustrating the depths of Caligari’s deception2.
The Twist Ending and Cesare’s Fate
The film’s iconic twist ending adds another layer of complexity to Cesare’s fate. It is revealed that Franzis, the narrator, is an inmate in an insane asylum, and the story he has been recounting is a delusion1. In this reality, Cesare is also a patient, but he is awake, quiet, and seemingly harmless1. This revelation throws the entire narrative into question, leaving the audience to ponder the nature of reality and the power of perception.
Within the context of Franzis’s delusion, Cesare’s death represents the demise of the perceived threat, the end of Caligari’s reign of terror. However, the twist ending reveals that this entire narrative was a figment of Franzis’s imagination. In the “real” world, Cesare is just another patient confined to the asylum, stripped of his agency and autonomy2. His fate, therefore, becomes a metaphor for the individual’s struggle against societal constraints and the blurring lines between sanity and insanity.
Cesare’s Symbolism and Legacy
Cesare’s character has been interpreted in various ways, reflecting the film’s rich symbolism and cultural context.
| Interpretation | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Common Man | Cesare symbolizes the ordinary individual who is susceptible to manipulation and exploitation by those in power, much like soldiers during World War I. | |
| Repressed Subconscious | Cesare represents the dark, hidden aspects of the human psyche, reflecting the anxieties and inner turmoil of post-war Germany. | 7 |
| Loss of Agency | Cesare embodies the loss of individual autonomy and the dangers of blind obedience to authority. | 8 |
The film, released in the aftermath of World War I, captured the anxieties and uncertainties of a society grappling with the consequences of authoritarianism and the trauma of war9. Cesare, in his somnambulistic state, can be seen as a metaphor for the soldiers who were sent to fight and die in a war they did not choose, mirroring the experience of many young men who returned from the frontlines psychologically scarred and disillusioned.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari‘s influence on film history is undeniable. It inspired generations of filmmakers, particularly in the horror and film noir genres1. Its expressionistic style, with its distorted sets and dramatic lighting, can be seen in films such as Nosferatu, Metropolis, and even contemporary works by directors like Tim Burton and David Lynch12. The film’s use of shadows and light to create an atmosphere of unease and suspense was particularly influential on film noir, a genre that flourished in the 1940s and 1950s1. Cesare’s haunting appearance and tragic fate continue to resonate with audiences, solidifying his place as one of cinema’s most iconic and enduring characters.
Conclusion: Cesare’s Enduring Presence in a Twisted World
Cesare’s death in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is more than just a plot point; it is a culmination of the film’s exploration of authority, control, and the fragility of the human psyche in a society grappling with the aftermath of war9. Whether viewed as a victim of manipulation, a symbol of societal anxieties, or a representation of the repressed subconscious, Cesare’s presence in the film is undeniable. His tragic fate, intertwined with the film’s expressionistic style and unreliable narrator, continues to captivate audiences and inspire filmmakers, ensuring that The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari remains a landmark achievement in cinematic history. The film’s distorted reality and Cesare’s demise serve as a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked authority and the potential for individuals to be manipulated and exploited.
Works Cited
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4. Quotes – The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) – IMDb, accessed January 25, 2025, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0010323/quotes?item=qt2874983
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9. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) – Horror Film History, accessed January 25, 2025, https://horrorfilmhistory.com/wp/the-cabinet-of-dr-caligari-1920/
10. Two Milestones in German Expressionism – Whitney Humanities Center, accessed January 25, 2025, https://whc.yale.edu/two-milestones-german-expressionism
11. www.goethe.de, accessed January 25, 2025, https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/m/kul/mov/ies/ygf/21333313.html#:~:text=Caligari%20has%20been%20credited%20with,film%20and%20the%20film%20noir.
12. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari – German films – Goethe-Institut USA, accessed January 25, 2025, https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/kul/mov/ies/ygf/21333313.html
13. The 100-Year-Old Movie That Inspired A LOT Of Your Favorite Directors – Screen Rant, accessed January 25, 2025, https://screenrant.com/cabinet-dr-caligari-movies-directors-influence-impact/
14. How The Cabinet of Dr Caligari changed cinema – The Skinny, accessed January 25, 2025, https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/opinion/how-the-cabinet-of-dr-caligari-changed-cinema