Watch Nosferatu A Symphony of Horror Full Sound

Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror is a 1922 German silent horror film directed by F. W. Murnau. Considered a masterpiece of the horror genre, it is an adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, but with the names and locations changed due to legal issues with Stoker's estate. Max Schreck plays the titular character, Count Orlok, a vampire from Transylvania who travels to Bremen, Germany, in search of new blood. The film follows the story of Thomas Hutter (played by Gustav von Wangenheim), a real estate clerk who is sent by his employer to sell a house to Orlok in the Carpathian Mountains. Hutter leaves behind his wife, Ellen (played by Greta Schröder), and as he travels to Orlok's castle, he begins to realize that something is not quite right with his host.

Once Hutter arrives at Orlok's castle, he discovers that the Count is a vampire who is interested in buying the house because it is located near Ellen's bedroom window. Hutter becomes increasingly alarmed by Orlok's behavior and decides to leave the castle, but he is too late: Orlok has already set his sights on Ellen and has traveled to Bremen to claim her as his own.

The film follows Orlok's journey to Bremen, where he unleashes his terror on the residents of the town. Ellen, realizing the danger that she is in, tries to protect herself from Orlok's advances and comes up with a plan to defeat him, with the help of Professor Bulwer (played by John Gottowt).

Despite being almost 100 years old, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror still manages to captivate audiences with its powerful imagery and haunting storyline. Murnau's use of light and shadow, combined with Schreck's mesmerizing performance as the vampire, creates an eerie and unsettling atmosphere throughout the film. The score, composed by Hans Erdmann, provides a dramatic and haunting backdrop to the on-screen events.

The film's depiction of the vampire as a grotesque and repulsive creature, rather than the suave and sophisticated version popularized by later films, cements its place in horror history. Schreck's performance as Orlok is nothing short of mesmerizing: his gaunt appearance, pointy ears, and elongated fingers create a chilling image that is hard to forget.

The film's themes of horror, death, and the supernatural were particularly resonant with audiences in the aftermath of World War I, with many seeing the vampire as a metaphor for the trauma and destruction inflicted by the war. The film's ending, which sees Orlok destroyed at sunrise, was seen as a symbolic victory over death and evil, and provided a sense of catharsis for audiences.

Overall, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time. Its influence on the horror genre is undeniable, and its powerful imagery and compelling storyline continue to captivate audiences almost a century after its release.