The Gist:
An old man who goes by the name of Francis is sharing stories with an unnamed friend. His story about the mysterious Dr. Caligary is told through a series of flashbacks, each presented in acts.
Review:
Thought to be the first ever horror film, Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari returns in High Definition and is creepy as well as beautiful as ever. Director Robert Wiene uses shadows painted onto backgrounds, skewered and jagged edges which would shape the way of later Noir films as well as German expressionism. At the time, exterior photography was available yes but the sets designed by Hermann Warm with Walter Reimann and Walter Rohrig do play an integral part to the film.
The actors themselves use exaggerated movements which add to the unnerving feel to the overall film. The creepiest out of all is Conrad Veidt as Cesare, the somnambulist who with his facial expressions alone can send a chill or two down your spine. Fun fact, he was the basis of Batman’s arch nemesis The Joker.
The Verdict:
It’s easy to forget that sometimes all you need is a good plot and a dedicated as well as talented cast and crew to deliver a brilliant piece of cinema. Although there are still debates as to which is the true first horror film, I think we can all agree, that Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari was the first to leave an impressionable impact and then again, nearly a hundred years later and people are still debating it. That, is true art.
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