|
 The
Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1921)
R1 / NTSC DVD
Alpha Video / 2000
Director: Robert Wiene
Writers: Hans Janowich & Carl Mayer
Cast: Werner Krauss, Conrad Veidt, Friedrich Feher & Lil
Dagover
Review by Ted Phipps
Francis and his best friend Alan are both in love with the
lovely Jane, and the three of them are often together. A
fair is coming to town, and one of the acts is Dr. Caligari
and somnambulist, Cesare. Alan insists on seeing the
somnambulist's act where Cesare awakens from his coffin-like
box and tells the future, and is horrified when his death is
foretold. That very night, Alan is murdered, another in a
string that began with the arrival of the fair. Francis
suspects Dr. Caligari and convinces the authorities to
question the Doctor. The rest of the story follows Francis'
efforts to prove that Dr. Caligari and Cesare are behind the
murders.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was among the very first films
to delve into the realm of horror. While you watch, you'll
be reminded again and again of modern movies as you discover
scenes that obviously influenced more recent films and
directors like Tim Burton.
Part of the legendary status of this movie is due to the
sets. Extremely expressionistic, there are no right angles
anywhere. Everything is jagged and twisted, shadows and
light play across the scenes as a physical presence and even
the sets themselves are painted with slashes of contrasting
shades. The total effect is very disturbing and suggestive
of how a madman might view the world around him. Less often
mentioned is the musical score, which is so perfectly
matched that it never becomes obtrusive. It's effective here
in adding to the mood and atmosphere to the various scenes.
Being eighty-plus years old, the video transfer is rather
poor. There are some places where the film has an annoying
flicker or age lines, and a few of the storyboards are
obviously modern recreations using computer fonts. Being a
silent movie, the pace is slower than today's films, with
much of the action conveyed through broad gestures and
melodramatic overacting. |
