Nosferatu (1922), a chilling masterpiece of German Expressionist cinema, was primarily filmed in Germany. Although the film tells the story of the Transylvanian vampire Count Orlok, director F.W. Murnau brought his vision to life amidst the medieval architecture of northern Germany, specifically the towns of Lübeck and Wismar, which stand in for the fictional town of Wisborg. However, to capture the haunting landscapes described in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the filmmakers ventured to Slovakia, utilizing the dramatic scenery of the High Tatra mountains, the Vrátna Valley, and the imposing Orava Castle 1. This blend of locations gives the film its unique visual style, contrasting the realism of the German exteriors with the eerie atmosphere of the Slovakian landscapes.
Nosferatu’s enduring legacy is a testament to its artistic brilliance and its ability to tap into primal fears that transcend time and culture. By exploring the film’s production, cultural context, and critical analysis, we can gain a deeper appreciation for this groundbreaking work of horror cinema.
Production of Nosferatu
Nosferatu was produced by Prana-Film, a short-lived German film studio founded in 1921 by artist-producer Albin Grau and businessman Enrico Dieckmann 1. Their vision for Prana-Film was unique: to create films that explored occult ideas and delved into the mystical. This focus reflected the anxieties and uncertainties of the Weimar Republic, a society grappling with the aftermath of World War I, the devastating Spanish Flu epidemic, and a sense of social and political upheaval 1.
Grau, a dedicated occultist with connections to various esoteric groups, was deeply involved in shaping the film’s visual style. He designed striking posters, meticulously crafted costumes, and envisioned the film’s sets, even going so far as to draw detailed storyboards 1. Grau’s artistic vision, combined with his occult beliefs, infused Nosferatu with a symbolic depth that continues to fascinate audiences and scholars today.
Director F.W. Murnau, already known for his innovative filmmaking techniques, was the ideal choice to bring Grau’s vision to the screen. Murnau embraced the challenge of translating the supernatural elements of Stoker’s novel into a visual language that was both terrifying and mesmerizing. He employed a variety of techniques, including stop-motion animation to give Count Orlok an unnatural gait, varying frame rates to create a sense of unease, and even negative film stock to achieve otherworldly effects 1. Murnau’s masterful use of light and shadow, particularly in the iconic staircase scene where Count Orlok’s silhouette ascends towards his unsuspecting victim, became a hallmark of horror cinema, influencing countless filmmakers in the decades that followed 3.
It is important to note that Nosferatu was an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. While the filmmakers changed names and locations, the similarities to Stoker’s novel were undeniable. This led to a lawsuit from Stoker’s widow, Florence Stoker, who sought to protect her late husband’s copyright 4. In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Florence Stoker and ordered all copies of Nosferatu to be destroyed. Fortunately, a few prints had already made their way abroad, ensuring the film’s survival and allowing audiences today to experience this cinematic masterpiece 4.
Filming Locations
The production of Nosferatu faced budget limitations, which led Murnau to rely heavily on exterior locations 1. This resourceful approach not only helped to keep costs down but also contributed to the film’s realism, grounding the supernatural elements in tangible environments. Interior scenes were filmed at the Jofa-Atelier Berlin-Johannisthal studio in Berlin 6. The following table summarizes the key filming locations:
| Location | Country | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| High Tatra Mountains | Slovakia | Transylvanian landscapes |
| Vrátna Valley | Slovakia | Transylvanian landscapes |
| Orava Castle | Slovakia | Count Orlok’s castle |
| Wismar | Germany | The town of Wisborg |
| Lübeck | Germany | The town of Wisborg; Count Orlok’s house |
| Heligoland | Germany | Coastal scenes |
| Lauenburg | Germany | Scenes with the character Knock |
| Oravský Podzámok | Slovakia | Village scenes |
| Rostock | Germany | Harbor scenes |
| Starý hrad- Varín | Slovakia | Ruins near Count Orlok’s castle |
| Sylt | Germany | Coastal scenes |
| Váh | Slovakia | River scenes |
The use of real locations, particularly the medieval architecture of Wismar, adds a layer of authenticity to the film. Wismar, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, still retains some of the locations recognizable from the film, allowing fans to retrace the steps of Hutter and Count Orlok 1.
Cultural and Historical Context
Nosferatu emerged from the cultural and historical crucible of early 20th-century Germany. The Weimar Republic, born from the ashes of World War I, was a period of profound transformation and instability. The nation faced economic hardship, political extremism, and a pervasive sense of anxiety and disillusionment 1. Nosferatu reflects these anxieties, particularly the fear of disease and contagion, which had been heightened by the recent Spanish Flu pandemic. The plague that sweeps through Wisborg in the film can be seen as a symbolic representation of the social and psychological ills plaguing German society 8.
The film also grapples with themes of gender roles and sexuality in the context of the newly formed Weimar Republic, where women had recently gained the right to vote 1. Ellen Hutter’s sacrifice to defeat Count Orlok, willingly offering her blood to keep him occupied until sunrise, can be interpreted as a reflection of societal anxieties surrounding female sexuality and agency. Some scholars argue that Ellen’s portrayal reinforces traditional gender roles, depicting women as either innocent victims or self-sacrificing saviors 2.
Adding another layer of complexity, Nosferatu is deeply rooted in the occult beliefs and symbolism that captivated many intellectuals and artists in the early 20th century. Albin Grau, the film’s producer, was a dedicated occultist who intentionally embedded esoteric symbolism into the film’s narrative and imagery 1. The vampire, as a creature that defies death and embodies both seduction and destruction, resonated with the anxieties of a society grappling with mortality, war, and disease 1. Even the name of the ship that carries Count Orlok to Wisborg, the Demeter, is laden with occult significance. In Greek mythology, Demeter is the goddess of agriculture and harvest, but she is also associated with the Eleusinian Mysteries, ancient rituals that promised initiates a path to immortality. This connection suggests that Grau saw the vampire not just as a monster but as a symbol of humanity’s yearning for transcendence and its fascination with the mysteries of life and death 1.
Furthermore, Nosferatu can be interpreted as a metaphor for the trauma of World War I. The character’s name, Orlok, translates to “war” in Dutch, and the plague that he brings to Wisborg can be seen as a representation of the war’s devastating impact on German society 9. The film’s haunting imagery and unsettling atmosphere capture the psychological scars left by the war, a sense of dread and uncertainty that permeated the Weimar Republic.
Film Analysis
Nosferatu is widely regarded as a masterpiece of German Expressionist cinema, a movement that sought to convey inner emotions and psychological states through external means. The film’s visual style is characterized by stark contrasts of light and shadow, distorted perspectives, exaggerated gestures, and an overall sense of unease 8. Murnau’s innovative use of special effects, such as stop-motion animation and negative film stock, further enhances the film’s eerie quality. For example, negative film stock is used to depict white trees against a black sky, creating an unsettling and otherworldly effect 1.
The film’s power lies not only in its visual style but also in its psychological depth. Max Schreck’s portrayal of Count Orlok is both terrifying and strangely sympathetic. Unlike later portrayals of Dracula as a suave and seductive figure, Schreck’s Orlok is a monstrous creature driven by primal instincts. His gaunt appearance, his pointed ears, and his long, claw-like fingers evoke a sense of revulsion and fear, yet there is also a vulnerability in his movements and expressions, hinting at the tragedy of his immortal existence 11.
Nosferatu’s influence on subsequent horror films is undeniable. Its themes of fear, obsession, and the power of the supernatural continue to resonate with audiences today. The film’s iconic imagery, such as the shadow of Count Orlok creeping up the stairs, has become ingrained in popular culture, inspiring countless homages and parodies 3. It is worth noting that while the filmmakers changed names and locations to avoid copyright issues, the American version of the film still uses the name “Count Orlok” 3.
Conclusion
Nosferatu, filmed primarily in Germany with key scenes shot in Slovakia, stands as a testament to the power of cinematic storytelling. Its blend of German Expressionism, innovative special effects, and a haunting atmosphere created a new standard for horror films 12. By exploring the film’s production, cultural context, and critical analysis, we can gain a deeper appreciation for this timeless masterpiece and its enduring legacy. Even in the 21st century, Nosferatu continues to captivate audiences, reminding us of the power of cinema to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche and the enduring fascination with the unknown.
Works Cited
1. Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922), accessed January 26, 2025, https://horrorfilmhistory.com/wp/nosferatu-1922/
2. 9: Power and Sexualization in Nosferatu (1922) — A Film Review | by Fionna Chuang, accessed January 26, 2025, https://thoughtsbyfionna.medium.com/9-power-and-sexualization-in-nosferatu-1922-a-film-review-249ebb5e38ae
3. Nosferatu (1922) review – The Official Steve Pulaski Website, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.stevepulaski.com/2024/12/24/nosferatu-1922-review/
4. Nosferatu (1922 film) | Cast, 2024 Remake, & Vampire Movie | Britannica, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nosferatu-film-by-Murnau-1922
5. Film 2: Nosferatu (1922) – BFI, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.bfi.org.uk/resources-events-teachers/resources-teachers/gothic-classroom/film-2-nosferatu-1922
6. Nosferatu Locations – Movies Locations – Latitude and Longitude Finder, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.latlong.net/location/nosferatu-locations-1004
7. www.latlong.net, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.latlong.net/location/nosferatu-locations-1004#:~:text=Where%20was%20Nosferatu%20Filmed%3F,and%20Wismar%20(exterior%20shots).
8. An investigation into the historical context surrounding Nosferatu (1922) – Film Overload, accessed January 26, 2025, https://film9online.wordpress.com/2019/01/22/an-investigation-into-the-historical-context-surrounding-nosferatu-1922/
9. Nosferatu, Vampires, and Othering | Transnational German Cinema, accessed January 26, 2025, https://blogs.charleston.edu/ltgr270/2020/01/15/nosferatu-vampires-and-othering/
10. www.forbes.com, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2025/01/10/the-occult-history-of-nosferatu-explained/#:~:text=The%20Original%20’Nosferatu’%20Contained%20Occult,Orlok%20inflicts%20on%20the%20townsfolk.
11. Nosferatu (1922) – BFI, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.bfi.org.uk/film/3d4cb177-731b-53ff-b7e3-41ef1bbd0c9d/nosferatu
12. The Legacy of Nosferatu in the Horror Film Genre – Monarch Studios, accessed January 26, 2025, https://monarchstudiosla.com/the-legacy-of-nosferatu-in-the-horror-film-genre/