“Nosferatu” by F.W. Murnau is the first silent German vampire film based on the original horror movie “Dracula” by Bram Stoker.
The movie was made in 1922 but was not released until 1929 because Bram Stoker’s widow sued over the adaptation in the film from “Count Dracula” to “Count Orlok.” The court ruled that all copies of the film be destroyed, but one copy survived and was released in 1929.
“This movie is the first fully-restored copy from 2009 and the soundtrack is the only one in existence that was originally thought to be lost by the creators,” John Dement, associate professor of theater, said. “This is the perfect film for Halloween.”
The film was shown last night at 7 p.m. at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art.
“Count Orlok is the best vampire in this film, better than Dracula,” Greathouse said.
In the film, Count Orlok has interest in a new home for himself and comes across the real estate agent, Thomas Hutter, and his wife Ellen. After seeing Ellen, Count Orlok expresses an interest in her and decides that he wants to marry Ellen.
“A great scene of the movie is when Count Orlok is going up the stairs to Ellen’s room,” Teresa Greathouse, freshman in business, said.
Thomas Hutter must then gather his courage and stand up to Count Orlok to stop him from going after Ellen.
“I like the way Bram Stoker created Count Orlok. He is a cursed creature, not a sexy vampire there for romance,” Dement said before the film. “I want the audience to enjoy the movie and to have a great experience with the terror of an old, classic film.”