GRANTS, N.M. - Part I
If you like hideous, gruesome or grisly movie characters, you’ll want to see “Nosferatu.” Attend October 9’s German movie at the NMSU Library at 1 pm. This is the first movie to feature a Dracula vampire. He’s described as the “ugliest” in film history. Check out his fingernails!
In more modern Dracula films, the villain can be suave, handsome or charming. Not in “Nosferatu!” You’ll see a deformed, shocking and repulsive antagonist.
This 1922, silent film is based on Bram Stoker novel. This Transylvanian “vampire” – count is the subject of many horror films. The name means “demon.” It was applied to Vlad IV the Impaler, a 15th century Wallachian- Romanian prince.
Since the sounds of words weren’t added to film until 1927, five years after “Nosferatu”, viewers will want to observe the actions very closely.
Part II
Setting- Weisberg, Germany and Transylvania 1838 Characters- Knock, a Wisburg real-estate agent Hutter- Knock’s associate Orlok- a Count who lives in the Carpathian Mountains. Is believed to be a vampire or Nosferatu. Ellen- Hutter’s wife A carriage driver- refuses to go too close to Orlok’s castle. Sailors- curious about the many boxes of Orlok’s on their ship. Harding- a rich shipowner Title cards- used in early, silent movies to explain actions.
Plot- A diary of a German historian is the narration of this film-story. He wondered if it was the Nosferatu (vampire) who brought the plague to his hometown.
Newlyweds Hutter an Ellen are separated when Hutter is sent by his boss, Knock, to Transylvania. He is to help purchase a near-by house for a Count Orlok.
Hutter is anxious to earn a lot of money and begins a trip into the Carpathian Mts. to meet the Count. Along his way, he meets locals who are fearful and shocked to learn of his destination. He stays the night in the inn. A book about vampires, ghosts, magic, etc. is in his room, so he reads about Nosferatu, a creature who lives in caves filled w/soil from the fields of Black Death.
Hutter arrives at the castle. He meets Count Orlok. Hutter eats while Orlok studies the real-estate papers. They talk for hours until Orlok says he sleeps during the day.
Next day, Hutter notices two small marks on his neck, but he attributes them to mosquitoes. At night, again a meal, more paperwork, Orlok agrees to buy the house near Hutter and Hutter reads more about Nosferatu.
On day three, Hutter finds Orlok sleeping in a coffin. He tries to escape, but fails. Meanwhile Orlok, accompanied by many coffins, travels to a seaport and all are loaded on the ship.
Now, if you’re interested in the rest of this filmstory, join others at the NMSU Library, Friday, October 9 at 1 pm. Be prepared for a happy ending. But it’s still creepy!
Part III
The demon, vampire or Dracula sprang from Bram Stoker’s imagination and has been popular over 90 yrs. Here’s an incomplete list of movies featuring Count Dracula.
1920’s “Nosferatu” 1930’s “Dracula” “Dracula’s Daughter” 1950’s “The Horror of Dracula” 1960’s “Dracula has Risen From the Grave” “Dracula: Prince of Darkness” 1970’s “Dracula” “Dracula’s Dog” “Dracula Today” 1980’s “Dracula’s Widow” 1990’s “Dracula” “Dracula: Dead and Loving It” Remember- No admission fee for movies at the NMSU Library and they begin at 1 pm.