Let Me Take a Moment to Fangirl Once Again!
As I mentioned in my previous blog about the Folk Horror Movie genre published back in October of this year, I am a fan of Robert Eggers' films. His attention to details, along with the expertise of his production team, and the amazing performances by the actors and actresses.... culminating in films that are intense experiences which draw the audience into an entire world. His first mention of wanting to film a version of "Nosferatu" occurred in a promotional interview for one of his previous films, when he was asked about what he would like to embark upon next in his filmmaking career. He mentioned "Nosferatu" and I let out a fangirl/nerd girl squeek.
And soon the wait will be over, as his version of "Nosferatu" will be released on Christmas Day 2024. By all accounts in the media, this film is a work of art. The critics are praising the performances of the cast, the absolute attention to detail, and the entire Victorian Gothic look of the film.
The History Of "Nosferatu"
The original 1922 film of "Nosferatu" was initially supposed to be a version of Bram Stoker's "Dracula". However, the family of Bram Stoker did not give permission or sell the rights to the German filmmaker and his production crew. There were some changes made to the overall story and the characters in order to skirt the infringement laws. Bram Stoker's heirs sued for copyright infringement, and all prints of the 1922 film were ordered to be destroyed. Some of the prints survived and were shown here in the States, and the film itself is acknowledged as a masterwork of German Expressionism. In 1979, Werner Herzog released his version of "Nosferatu" which has its' own atmospheric quality of darkness and dread.
The Vampire in Literature
Folklore surrounding the character of the Vampire has existed in many cultures since ancient times. The folktales evolved over time, and became more complex, informed by local and regional attributes. These folktales began to influence many writers and poets in the late 1700s, and the character of the vampire found its' way into poems and short fictions. One short story in particular is credited as being the first work of prose fiction, titled "The Vampyre". This short story was written by Dr John Polidori, who accompanied Lord Byron in his exile to Villa Diodati on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. While there, Dr Polidori took part in a challenge to write a ghost story. This was also the same challenge which led to Mary Shelley writing her novel "Frankenstein".
The character of the Vampire continued to be found in short stories published in newspapers known as penny dreadfuls. But the absolute epitome of a vampire tale, combining multiple characters and a sense of Victorian Gothic drama did not exist until it flowed from the pen of one Abraham "Bram" Stoker. His novel "Dracula" became a classic, and served as an inspiration for stage plays and films, including the aforementioned "Nosferatu".
Recommended Reading:
Dracula
Recommended Viewing:
Robert Eggers Films:
This blog was almost titled "All I Want For Christmas is my Two Fang Teeth" but I only have so much space to work with in this blogging format. I do know that I will be a movie theater watching Robert Eggers' version of 'Nosferatu" the day after Christmas. Happy Holidays everyone!
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