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Shadow of a Vampire (2000) Horror Movie Review
by Spider
(Salem, Oregon, USA)
Shadow of a Vampire (2000) Horror Movie Poster
Shadow of a Vampire shows us how far a director will go to make a film as realistic as possible.
Release: May 15, 2000
Directed by: E. Elias Merhige
Written by: Steven Katz
Starring:
John Malkovich as Murnau
Willem Dafoe as Schreck
Udo Kier as Grau
Cary Elwes as Wagner
Eddie Ezzard as Gustav
Whether you’re already a fan of the wonderful 1922 film Nosferatu or have yet to be introduced to it, it’s easy to fall in love with this creepy, dark-humored, fictional making called Shadow of a Vampire.
In the film we start off with German Director F. W. Murnau taking his Berlin-based cast and crew on location in Czechoslovakia and Poland in order to shoot the film Nosferatu, an unauthorized version of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula. Upon reaching their destination the crew starts filming at its primary location - an old Czechoslovakian castle. This is where they first meet the film’s star, Max Schreck, who is playing the vampire, Count Orlok.
The cast and crew is immediately disturbed by the method actor who only the director has ever heard of, an actor who will not come out during the day, will not be seen without his makeup, and at all times interacts with the crew only in character. Convincing themselves he is just a very serious actor, the cast and crew continue filming despite their fear, even after the cameraman starts feeling terrorized and sick, and has to be replaced.
But when further strange occurrences happen and Schrek's behavior becomes stranger and more erratic, the crew is forced to wonder if he is not just eccentric but something far more dangerous - something that is not human, something that thirsts for their blood. And whether the director is willing to sacrifice them all in order to film his movie remains to be seen.
The concept of this film is fun and original and while it’s low on the gore factor it has some genially creepy moments interlaced with a good dose of dark humor and some wonderful acting.
Then there’s the mixing of scenes from the actual 1922 Nosferatu, done incredibly well and a treat to watch. I give this film 8 out of 10, and would recommend it to any fan of suspense and horror.
