Nosferatu is an absolute horror classic

Film review: Nosferatu (15) - seen at The Light Cinema, Wisbech

Starring: Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgård and Willem Dafoe

Director: Robert Eggers Run time: Two hours, 12 minutes

Superb acting, wonderful sets and a haunting musical score make this latest version of the controversial vampire film an absolute horror classic.

For those unfamiliar with its history, Nosferatu was actually the first Dracula film back in 1922 - a German rip-off of Bram Stoker’s 1897 Gothic novel.

NNames and locations were changed and there were subtle tweaks to the script, but it fooled no-one and the filmmakers were ordered to destroy all the copies. Several remakes and sequels came out over the years - culminating in this effort by Robert Eggers.

I’ve seen so many iterations of this story so this had to be something special to put me on the edge of my seat - and it was all that and more, giving off superb1970s Hammer Horror vibes.

I’m sure most of you know the plot: a tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and a terrifying vampire infatuated with her which brings death and horror in its wake.

All the scenes involving Bill Skarsgård’s Count Orlok are set in atmospheric black and white and for much of the film you don’t get a clear view of the ancient vampire as he lurks in the shadows.

Lily-Rose Depp - daughter of American actor Johnny and French model and singer Vanessa Paradis - is superb as haunted young bride Ellen Hutter, Nicholas Hoult personifies the Victorian middle-class gent as her husband Thomas and Willem Dafoe puts in his usual wonderful performance as discredited scientist Prof Albin Eberhart von Franz.

The difference between the classic Count Dracula and Nesferatu’s Orlock is that while Dracula is generally portrayed as quite a smooth charmer, Orlock is a foul, ancient, disgusting beast.

This makes the passionate scenes between him and young bride Ellen even more shocking, unveiling the true horror of the situation.

The film is an absolute triumph and sets the benchmark for gothic horror.

By Jeremy Ransome

Rating: 9/10