Nosferatu Blu-ray Review

The restoration and transfer of "Nosferatu" onto Blu-ray stands as a monumental achievement in preserving cinema history, especially considering the meticulous care undertaken during the process. Spearheaded by Luciano Berriatúa and the Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung, this endeavor utilized diverse archival sources, including a tinted nitrate print from 1922 and additional footage from various periods, to compile the most complete version of the film possible. The restoration work, detailed with replacing missing intertitles and ensuring a faithful replication of original typography by trickWilk, Berlin, underscores the dedication to authenticity. Coupled with lab work from L'Immagine Ritrovata, Bologna, the final product presented by Kino-Lorber not only surpasses previous editions but does so with a reverence for the film's historical aesthetic.

This 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer breathes new life into Murnau's classic, delivering visuals that are both stunningly clear and faithful to the original cinematic experience. Despite the inherent limitations of the source materials, marked by minor deterioration and scratches, the image quality astonishes, boasting enhanced detail and improved texture visibility. The care in preserving grain structure while avoiding noise reduction or edge enhancement contributes to a visual presentation that respects the film’s age and significance. Contrast and color tinting are meticulously balanced, capturing the eerie atmosphere of Nosferatu with exceptional clarity. Additionally, the inclusion of both English and German intertitles across the two-disc set offers viewers a choice between aesthetic and linguistic authenticity.

Delving deeper into the specifics of the video quality, it is evident that this restoration prioritizes not just preservation but also viewer engagement. The 1.33:1 image showcases remarkable definition and resolution, rendering the intricacies of costumes and set designs with newfound vividness. Particularly noteworthy is the depiction of Orlock’s mansion and the creepily detailed portrayal of Count Orlock himself, which gains an unsettling realism through the clarity of this transfer. The nuanced adjustment of color tones to mirror different times of day and lighting conditions enhances the storytelling, while the careful balance of contrast and brightness levels ensures that shadow details are preserved without compromise. Through this painstaking restoration process, "Nosferatu" emerges on Blu-ray not merely as a historical relic but as a rejuvenated masterpiece, inviting both new audiences and seasoned cinephiles to explore its dark allure with fresh eyes.

Kino Lorber's restoration of "Nosferatu" offers an audio revival that does justice to Hans Erdmann's original 1922 score, albeit reimagined partially due to some segments being lost to time. The re-recording, helmed by Berndt Heller, strikes a haunting chord, seamlessly intertwining with the film's visual horrors. The orchestral arrangements breathe new life into the classic, with deep cellos, clanging cymbals, and robust brass creating an eerie soundscape. This is delivered through two superb audio tracks: a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround mix that provides a lush, room-filling experience, and an uncompressed Linear PCM 2.0 stereo mix that offers a more traditional, albeit slightly bass-restrained, listening experience.

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack shines with its robust low-end delivery, presenting a palpable resonance that notably augments the music's impact, particularly in segments featuring cellos and drums. This contrast with the PCM stereo track, which, despite its exceptional fidelity and warmth, slightly underwhelms in its bass response. However, it retains a more authentic feel akin to a live orchestral performance. Both options exhibit an extensive dynamic range and pinpoint clarity across high frequencies without distortion. The surround sound implementation in the 5.1 mix expertly disperses the orchestral elements into a captivating immersive soundscape.

In comparison, the clarity and detail sustained across both tracks are commendable, with each format presenting its own set of advantages. The PCM stereo favors purists seeking accuracy and faithfulness to the original orchestral ambiance, albeit with a noted lack in low-end potency. Conversely, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 envelops the viewer in a more impactful and immersive auditory experience. Despite slight nuances between them, both audio presentations elevate "Nosferatu" with remarkable fidelity, ensuring an engaging experience that mirrors the film's timeless visual storytelling.

The extra features of the "Nosferatu" Blu-ray present an enriching experience for both cinema enthusiasts and scholars alike. With "The Language of Shadows," viewers are treated to a comprehensive documentary that delves into F.W. Murnau's illustrious career and the intricate production details of "Nosferatu," blending technical insights with historical context. The inclusion of film excerpts from Murnau's filmography offers a curated glimpse into the director's evolution, showcasing seminal works from "Journey Into Night" to "Tabu." The promotional teaser, albeit brief, effectively stirs anticipation with its crisp presentation, while the image gallery serves as a visual testament to the film's enduring legacy. This collection of extras not only enhances the appreciation for "Nosferatu" but also situates Murnau's masterpiece within a broader cinematic narrative.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Language of Shadows: A detailed documentary on Murnau's career and the making of 'Nosferatu'.
• F.W. Murnau Film Excerpts: Clips from notable films including 'Journey Into Night', 'The Haunted Castle', 'Phantom', 'The Finances of the Grand Duke', 'The Last Laugh', 'Tartuffe', 'Faust', and 'Tabu'.
• Promotional Teaser: A concise trailer for the Blu-ray edition.
• Image Gallery: A collection of stills and promotional images from the film.

F.W. Murnau's 'Nosferatu' (1922) stands as an unparalleled pillar in the horror genre, an essential film that predates mainstream vampire lore and sets a benchmark for terror and the portrayal of the supernatural in cinema. Despite its nearly centennial age, 'Nosferatu' transcends time, forebodingly beckoning viewers into its shadowy embrace with iconic, disturbing imagery and a performance by Max Schreck as Count Orlok that remains deeply unsettling to this day. Not just a film but a piece of cinematic history, it dodged complete obliteration due to copyright disputes, ensuring its undying influence on the portrayal of vampires as entities of nightmarish allure rather than mere folkloric caricatures or symbols of hedonistic immortality prevalent in later works. Schreck's ghastly embodiment of Orlok, combined with Murnau's visionary direction, leads to a pioneering representation that challenges viewers' perceptions of fear and attraction.

'Murnau's gripping tale is built upon a simplistic yet profound narrative structure that delves deep into the heart of darkness lurking in the human (and non-human) soul, journeying from the eerie landscapes of Eastern Europe to the unsuspecting shores of Germany. Through haunting visuals and extraordinary performances, especially Schreck’s unforgettable portrayal, 'Nosferatu' captures the essence of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' while infusing it with a sinister realism and psychological depth unmatched by its successors. The film's technical prowess—in editing, cinematography, and thematic execution—ensures its place as a cornerstone of not only horror cinema but of the cinematic medium as a whole. Its enduring legacy is partly owed to its innovative use of visual storytelling that relies on shadows and suggestion to evoke dread, alongside its significant contribution to vampiric mythos by introducing sunlight as a lethal weapon against the undead.

Furthermore, 'Nosferatu’ is distinguished by its contentious yet critical reception over time, blending artistic innovation with controversial undercurrents reflective of its era’s sociopolitical anxieties. The film encapsulates a complicated intersection of artistic ingenuity and the troubling stereotypes of early 20th-century Europe, inviting ongoing debate about its intentions and impacts. While its plot is streamlined for dramatic potency, reshaping Stoker’s narrative and embedding it firmly within German Expressionism's visual and thematic lexicon, it is the underlying implications that provide a richer terrain for exploration. Through Murnau's lens, 'Nosferatu' serves as a macabre exploration of fear, otherness, and the uncanny, employing the vampire not just as a source of horror but as a mirror to society's darkest facets. Despite—or perhaps because of—its disturbing elements and antiquated effects, the sheer magnetism of Schreck’s performance coupled with Murnau’s directorial foresight facilitates a terror that is as psychologically profound as it is visually compelling.

Nosferatu remains an undeniable keystone in the foundation of horror cinema, with its chilling narrative and Max Schreck's iconic portrayal of Count Orlock haunting generations of audiences. F.W. Murnau's masterpiece, despite its age, continues to exert a profound influence on the genre with its stark, eerie visuals and pioneering cinematic techniques that effortlessly blend surreal imagery with a tangible sense of dread. The Kino-Lorber Blu-ray edition stands out as the definitive version of this seminal work, bringing together the English and German cuts of the film across two discs, enriched by a meticulously restored high-definition transfer that breathes new life into each frame. Accompanied by a re-recorded original score that enhances the film’s atmospheric sensibility, this release goes further to contextualize 'Nosferatu’s' legacy with a fifty-minute documentary on its production and selections from Murnau’s other celebrated works, ensuring its appeal to both aficionados and newcomers to silent horror.

Moreover, the addition of a splendid audio presentation complements the exceptional visual restoration, allowing modern audiences to experience this almost-century-old film as if sitting in a premiere viewing of the 1920s. The inclusion of fascinating supplementary materials, including comprehensive backgrounds on the making of Nosferatu and insights into Murnau's cinematic influence, not only enriches the viewing experience but also serves as an educational tool for those interested in film history and production.

In conclusion, Kino-Lorber's release of 'Nosferatu' on Blu-ray is an essential acquisition for horror enthusiasts and cinephiles alike. Its unparalleled high definition presentation, combined with a wealth of extras, establishes this edition as the most complete and compelling version available. The meticulous care taken in restoring both the visual and auditory elements ensures that 'Nosferatu' remains a timeless classic, capable of captivating and unsettling new generations of viewers, solidifying its place in the annals of horror cinema as an indispensable artifact.