There have been a slew of filmatic adaptations of Brom Stoker's famous literary work, Dracula.  When we think of Dracula, we as Westerners usually think of  Bela Lugosi's widow's peak and piercing eyes as they look out from behind his raised cape.  But cinematically, we are much more likely to recall images from the silent Nosferatu: A Symphony of Terror (Murnau, 1922); most notably the scenes where Count Orlak (as he was known in that film) rises, arms folded across his chest, from his coffin, or the Count's vain attempt to ward off his impending death from streaming sunlight with raised arms. 

It is this striking imagery that made Murnau's Nosferatu: Symphony of Terror such a classic.  And because of its status as a timeless classic, it was destined to be remade...and the remake destined to be released as a collectors piece.  Luckily for fans of this film, Anchor Bay chose to release it and, as they usually do, they have done it exactly right!  This 2-DVD set comes with both the English and German versions of this film (it was filmed simultaneously in both languages), a "making of" featurette, audio commentary, and a collector's booklet.  But underneath this flawlessly packaged release lies a movie that never seems to quite do the original classic full justice.

I won't go into detail on the plot of this movie, because if you don't know the basic plot of Dracula's story by now, you should be out reading books and watching more movies (and spending less time on the internet).  The acting however begs notice.  Since Herzog desired to recreate the original so closely, he attempted to direct his actors in much the same way.  The problem that arises however, is that in silent film it is imperative that actors "overact" substantially to convey the emotions and plot devices that cannot be delivered though dialog.  What we get in Herzog's film is a group of actors that are forced to not only overact in the same way, but also to deliver base dialog at the same time.  Since this movie was not intended for dialog, the addition of it seems very unnecessary and almost like we are watching a primer for Dracula 101.

Kinski studied silent-actor, Max Schreck's, Count Orlak meticulously and manages to duplicate the intricacies of the original role with precision that borders on obsession.  He captures each and every nuance that defines the disfigured Count, yet is forced to deliver dialog that would be at home in a high school play.  The poor Count is also depicted without his trusty gypsies, and is seen carrying his own coffins onto a cart for transport.  There is something far less scary about a Dracula that has to carry his own luggage. 

The most famous of all Nosferatu scenes is most likely the afore mentioned "Orlack-rising-from-the-coffin"; however that film didn't even make it into this remake.  Instead, Herzog tries to add in some creepiness via some stock footage of a bat flying in slow motion.  Ick.  What we have here is a case of didn't-need-to-but-did-anyway filmmaking and it didn't work out so well; albeit not for lack of trying.  This film was obviously a labor of love for Herzog, but we always hurt the ones we love...and Herzog hurt Nosferatu deeply.

Anchor Bay has put together an astounding release and also cared for the subject matter enough to do it properly, but the film is lacking on many levels.  Pick this DVD up if you are a fan of Dracula or Nosferatu, but get yourself Shadow of the Vampire (1994, Merhige) as well, to see how to properly pay homage to a film that has inspired so many and set so many standards.  

-aaron-
 

Directed by: Werner Herzog   Written by: Werner Herzog   Cast: Klaus Kinski Isabelle Adjani Bruno Ganz Roland Topor Walter Ladengast

DVD Features: Letterbox Deleted Scenes / Alternate Ending Director's Commentary Theatrical Trailer Story to Screen Featurette: The Haunted Palace