On March 5, 1922, cinema history was made with the premiere of Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens), the first-ever film adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Directed by the German expressionist filmmaker Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau, the film remains one of the most influential horror films of all time.
The film and its impact
Unlike later Dracula films, Nosferatu did not have the rights to Stoker’s novel, leading to significant changes in character names and plot details. Count Dracula became Count Orlok, played by Max Schreck, whose gaunt, rodent-like appearance and unnerving performance set a new standard for horror villains. The film’s eerie cinematography, use of shadows, and unsettling atmosphere defined the visual language of horror and influenced generations of filmmakers.
Despite its innovation, Nosferatu faced legal trouble. Stoker’s widow sued the filmmakers for copyright infringement, leading to a court ruling that all copies of the film be destroyed. Fortunately, a few prints survived, allowing it to achieve cult status over the decades.
Other Nosferatu films and its lasting influence
Murnau’s Nosferatu set the stage for countless adaptations of Dracula, inspiring future horror films and directors. In 1979, Werner Herzog paid homage with Nosferatu the Vampyre, starring Klaus Kinski, which retained the gothic horror aesthetics of the original while introducing a melancholic, almost romantic take on the vampire legend.
In 2000, Shadow of the Vampire offered a fictionalised account of the making of the original Nosferatu, with Willem Dafoe portraying Max Schreck as an actual vampire, blurring the lines between reality and horror fiction.
Most recently, a highly anticipated remake of Nosferatu, directed by Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse), was released in 2024. Starring Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok, the film brings a modern vision to the expressionist masterpiece, proving that Murnau’s influence still resonates in contemporary cinema.
Nosferatu’s enduring legacy
Nosferatu paved the way for horror cinema, inspiring countless vampire films, from Universal’s Dracula (1931) with Bela Lugosi to modern interpretations in television and film. Its shadowy imagery continues to shape gothic horror, and its influence can be seen in everything from Tim Burton’s aesthetics to the use of chiaroscuro lighting in modern horror films.
Over a century after its release, Nosferatu remains a defining moment in film history, proving that true horror is timeless.
Also read: ON THIS DAY: Toni Morrison is born (1931)
