Few cinematic movements have been as influential to the formation and development of cinema as German Expressionism. Its intricate and fantastical set design, emphasis on close-ups and fantastic use of dynamic lighting to craft deep shadows have gone on to influence a wide range of Hollywood genres from gothic horror to noir. Directors from this period often focused on creating a haunting or melancholic atmosphere instead of complicated narratives. Defining films such as Nosferatu or Metropolis have often been regarded as staples of the genre, but it is Robert Wiene’s The Cabinet of Dr Caligari that remains one of the earliest and purest examples of cinematic dread. Wiene takes a simple detective story, seemingly influenced by Louis Feuillade’s French crime serials, and turns it into pure, abject horror.
All the films listed above, and many more in the genre, are reflections of German society after the brutal fallout of WW1, which ravaged the economy and resulted in the death of almost two million Germans. It is no surprise then that Caligari feels like it takes place somewhere completely engulfed by a nightmare. Dark shadows linger off every corner and the oddly shaped, high-angled buildings reflect a fractured and dreamlike world. Of course, there is also the villain of the tale, Caligari himself, who manipulates a somnambulist — named Cesare — to carry out a series of murders in the town. Caligari represents German authority during and after the war with Cesare being the troops that were coerced into fighting. The film’s narrative highlights a troubled population and a genuine distrust of authority figures in the wake of a national tragedy.
… despite being over 100 years old it remains a uniquely fresh experience; Wiene concocts a feverish dream that cannot be escaped, something which continually pulls you in.
Werner Krauss gives a terrifying performance as the evil doctor, who is driven to madness by his obsession with an 18th-century mystic. The melancholic and languid character of Cesare is played faultlessly by Conrad Veidt, with his mournful face perfectly reflecting the character’s lack of agency. Unlike Krauss, who remained in Nazi Germany, he who would go on to have an extensive Hollywood career, eventually becoming the second highest-paid actor in the highly renowned Casablanca. This immigration of European actors and directors to Hollywood, due to a combination of censorship laws and the rise of the Nazis, is a large reason why these expressionistic qualities were so crucial in the visual style of many classic Hollywood films. There is another central character, however, and that is the world that the film takes place. With some of the most inventive set designs ever, the locations are breathtakingly beautiful and remain as crucial to the story as the human characters do.
Roger Ebert called The Cabinet of Dr Caligari the first true horror film, and it is hard to disagree with him; the haunting visuals of the film still feel influential and are visible with modern directors today such as Tim Burton or David Lynch. There is a surrealistic quality to the film that entices you and despite being over 100 years old it remains a uniquely fresh experience; Wiene concocts a feverish dream that cannot be escaped, something which continually pulls you in.
In many ways, it feels strange watching a film so old displayed in 4k, but the upscaling works for the most part. Some people might be put off by the sharpness of the images, with some of the grit and gloomy textures filtered out. But anyone who was maybe put off watching it, due to it being an old silent film, should give it another chance in the fantastic quality shown here. It also contains a myriad of interesting special features and a selection of different scores to play alongside it.
THE CABINET OF DR CALIGARI IS OUT NOW ON 4K MASTERS OF CINEMA BLU-RAY
Autumn’s Archive – The Cabinet of Dr Caligari
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