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Bristol Ideas presents centenary screening of classic horror Nosferatu
Way back in 1922, F.W. Murnau gave the world that expressionist vampire classic Nosferatu, starring the splendidly creepy Max Schreck. Murnau’s film was an unauthorised adaptation of Dracula, so the title had to be changed and the Count’s name switched from Dracula to Orlok.
The director wasn’t even allowed to use the word ‘vampire’. Nonetheless, Bram Stoker’s heirs still won a court ruling that ordered all prints be destroyed. Just one escaped, and that’s the version which survives to this day. Some say it’s still the greatest vampire movie ever made.
Max Shreck as creepy Count Orlok in ‘Nosferatu’
Back in 2013, Nosferatu received the full restoration treatment, courtesy of the Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Foundation. This version is regularly screened locally – usually around Halloween. But the coffin is being seriously prised open on the occasion of the film’s centenary.
‘Nosferatu’ director F.W. Murnau
As previously announced, the Bristol Film Festival is showing it at St. Mary Redcliffe on November 5, with live musical accompaniment by Bristol quartet Minima. Bristol Ideas also has a context-setting screening at St. George’s just over a fortnight later on November 21. This is part of Ideas’ Modernism 1922 series, which explores the worlds of film, literature, music, politics and more of 100 years ago. The Ideas screening boasts live piano accompaniment by composer, writer and broadcaster Neil Brand and a special introduction and Q&A by author and film historian Sir Christopher Frayling. Go here for tickets and further information.
All images: Eureka Video
Read more: Bristol Film Festival unveils packed Autumn/Winter 2022 programme
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