I have to be honest… I’ve been flirting with the idea of doing an F. W. Murnau commentary since I launched this little babbling project of mine. The problem was, I could never figure out which film to talk about.
I was always off-put by the fact that many of Murnau’s masterpieces have commentaries–not here in region 1 NTSC-land, but in Europe. I thought for quite awhile about doing a track for Murnau’s PHANTOM, but I’m not all that motivated to do so as, despite the amazing quality of its restoration, it’s far from my favorite Murnau.
Then, during my last commentary for Cavalcanti’s FUGITIVE, I found myself enjoying a moment taken aside speaking about some of the narrative contrasts utilized by Murnau in NOSFERATU, as well as talking about the incredible performance and makeup of Max Schreck. And in thinking about doing a track for this film, I recalled that there had been a release featuring a commentary put out on disc about a decade ago (2001 to be precise, the disc featuring the Shepard resto) by Image Entertainment. This commentary, which was gruelingly wrought in spots viz its heady and deep angle of approach, constitutes an entirely different manner of tackling the film versus what I have in mind.
So I thought- what the hell? Why not be like Count Orlok and just go for the throat? If I’m going to do a Murnau film, why not tackle his most famous title, the one which bears the character from which I tweezed my moniker?
Much has been said about this film and Murnau of course. But I’ve yet to hear a commentary of the kind that I would always like to have heard… not only about the film, but about its director, cast and crew.
Thus, Schreckbabble is proud to announce the granddaddy of all art/horror/fantastic titles… F.W. Murnau’s eerie masterpiece, NOSFERATU.
COMING SOON!***
HerrSchreck's House of Commentary
Coming Soon: NOSFERATU (F. W. Murnau, 1922)
Posted: April 20, 2013 in Silent FilmTags: commentary, HerrSchreck, max Schreck, Murnau, nosferatu, Schreck, silent film
I have to be honest… I’ve been flirting with the idea of doing an F. W. Murnau commentary since I launched this little babbling project of mine. The problem was, I could never figure out which film to talk about.
I was always off-put by the fact that many of Murnau’s masterpieces have commentaries–not here in region 1 NTSC-land, but in Europe. I thought for quite awhile about doing a track for Murnau’s PHANTOM, but I’m not all that motivated to do so as, despite the amazing quality of its restoration, it’s far from my favorite Murnau.
Then, during my last commentary for Cavalcanti’s FUGITIVE, I found myself enjoying a moment taken aside speaking about some of the narrative contrasts utilized by Murnau in NOSFERATU, as well as talking about the incredible performance and makeup of Max Schreck. And in thinking about doing a track for this film, I recalled that there had been a release featuring a commentary put out on disc about a decade ago (2001 to be precise, the disc featuring the Shepard resto) by Image Entertainment. This commentary, which was gruelingly wrought in spots viz its heady and deep angle of approach, constitutes an entirely different manner of tackling the film versus what I have in mind.
So I thought- what the hell? Why not be like Count Orlok and just go for the throat? If I’m going to do a Murnau film, why not tackle his most famous title, the one which bears the character from which I tweezed my moniker?
Much has been said about this film and Murnau of course. But I’ve yet to hear a commentary of the kind that I would always like to have heard… not only about the film, but about its director, cast and crew.
Thus, Schreckbabble is proud to announce the granddaddy of all art/horror/fantastic titles… F.W. Murnau’s eerie masterpiece, NOSFERATU.
COMING SOON!***