The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari: Movie Poster
A pleasant contrast between surrealistic design and realism, including form and color, cover the entire poster. Strange stylistic details stand out such as warped streetlights, branches, and solidified ground that is brightly covered in geometric shapes. All of these elements connect to the surreal, dark theme of the movie and its fantastical set designs. Through this poster the viewer can sense the movie reputation, being that it was one of the most influential German horror films of the silent era.
Metropolis: Movie Poster
This movie poster successfully represents the concept and overall feel of this futuristic movie. Through sharp lines and intense contrast, it provides a clear statement about the set of the urban, but dangerous utopia. This particular poster is a fine art reproduction lithographic print completed by Heinz Schulz-Neudamm.
Nosferatu Clip: Hutte's reaction to Orlock
F.W. Murnau is a key German expressionist director from the Weimar period. The first half of Nosferatu is particularly comical. As a businessman, Hutter is forced to remain calm and dignified after meeting his client, Orlock, who is a shockingly strange looking character. He is definitely someone that deserves an unhidden reaction. Orlock also throws out awesome one-liners, for example, when Hutter goes to sleep one night, Orlock pleads that he stay up a while longer: “ I sleep by day, dear fellow…completely dead to the world.”
Nosferatu Clip: Orlock's first entry into bedroom of Hutter
With spacey, sharp teeth, no hair, pointy ears, and a gigantic body frame, Orlock appears in Hutter’s doorway perfectly fit for his height, after climbing a stairway we are unable to see. Murnau uses meticulous costume design and dramatic make up accompanied by contrasted shadows and highlights that transform an imaginary villain into an expressionist concept of the anxiety felt by society. This all takes place in Orlock’s creepy nightmarish castle.
The Last Laugh Clip: Opening Scene
The technology used in The Last Laugh is remarkable, known for moving point-of-view-camera shots and innovative special effects techniques. This is the first film to really attack the use of camera movement and technical mastery. During the very opening scene, the camera captures a ride down an elevator and through the lobby of the Atlantic hotel. At this time in the film industry these remarkable filming techniques seemed magical and were groundbreaking. At times, the individual who is filming and the camera would be strapped to some sort of moving platform, which could be considered an early form of a dolly.