Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF3ZwXEG45M

This is the MIDNIGHT FRIGHT MOVIE for the episode PRELUDE of The Friday Night Radio Horror Program presented by Odd FM W. O. D. D. Royal Oak

https://www.mixcloud.com/OddFM/preludes/

 Werner Herzog’s Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) is a mesmerizing homage to F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent classic Nosferatu, blending the eerie atmosphere of the original with a distinctly melancholy and gothic flavor. Herzog's version, closely follows the narrative of the original, yet infuses it with a meditative and tragic sensibility that elevates the film beyond mere horror.

Klaus Kinski delivers a haunting performance as Count Dracula (or Nosferatu). But don't expect the glamour of a suave Hammer Horror Dracula. He’s more the love child of Uncle Fester and Gollum, with wolfish teeth, goblin ears and claw-like nails. But despite his monstrous appearance Kinski transforms the vampire from the horrific into a tragic, almost sympathetic figure. His portrayal is one of deep sorrow and isolation, capturing the essence of a creature doomed to the eternal loneliness of the undead. Kinski's Dracula is a grotesque figure, yet he also exudes an undeniable pathos, making him both repellent and pitiful.

The film’s slow pace is deliberate, allowing Herzog to immerse the audience in an atmosphere infused by dread. The use of natural landscapes, particularly the scenes shot in the Carpathian Mountains and the hauntingly empty streets of plague ridden Wismar, enhances the sense of desolation and doom that permeates the film. Popol Vuh’s fantastic, ethereal score further adds to the films otherworldly ambiance, making it as much a mood piece as a horror film.

Isabelle Adjani, as Lucy Harker, brings a quiet strength to her role, embodying the purity and courage needed to confront the vampire. She beautifully depicts her transformation from a weak, powerless woman into a formidable nemesis, courageously facing her fears in a desperate bid to save her beloved husband. Her interactions with Kinski’s Dracula are some of the film’s most powerful moments, filled with a strange mixture of terror, compassion, and resignation.

Overall, it’s a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that offers a unique and introspective take on the vampire myth. Herzog’s masterful direction, combined with Kinski’s unforgettable performance, makes this film a haunting and unforgettable experience.

Whiskey Moment 1

0:28:30 - 0:33.34 This creeped me out. A meal, with the dinner companion from Hell! Harker’s discomfort at Nosferatu’s relentless, predatory stare, the creepy clock striking midnight and Jonathan’s rapid transformation into absolute terror after he cuts his finger and is pursued by the ravenous vampire and then offered a cozy fireside chat with his monstrous host until a long awaited dawn! Nosferatu’s speed and aggression in obtaining a taste of blood is shocking and barely under control by the scene’s end.

Whiskey 2

0:46:13 - 0:48:23 A terrifying appearance by the vampire in Jonathan’s bedroom. Just imagine if that happened to you - horrible! He becomes paralysed with fear as he’s attacked, unable to flee or fight back, and there’s a wonderful psychic link with his beloved Lucy that Nostferatu somehow detects while feasting on his victim.

Whiskey 3

1:15:55 - 1:19:22 The fantastic scene where Lucy develops her power to escape becoming a victim. It starts with her door opening, Nosferatu’s shadow is seen but there is no reflection of him in her mirror. Her anger at the ruination of Jonathan overcomes her terror and they calmly discuss death, the curse of eternal life as an undead and how Jonathan may be saved if she will share love with the vampire which he is desperate to experience. His need has a poignancy and by this point she is no longer a potential victim but equivocal about how far she is prepared to go to save her husband. Her crucifix drives Nosferatu away and she confidently wishes the vampire “goodnight”. Her transformation will now lead her to plan Nosferatu’s destruction.