L J Ravi 
Nosferatu is a classic silent horror film and an unauthorised adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. Although the character names were changed due to copyright issues, the plot closely mirrors that of Dracula. The story is set in 1838 and follows a young real estate agent named Hutter, who travels to the remote castle of Count Orlok in the Carpathian Mountains to finalise a property sale. Upon arriving, Hutter begins to sense something is terribly wrong and eventually realises that Orlok is a vampire who seeks to move to the city of Wisborg in order to spread death and plague.
The film is renowned for its eerie and haunting atmosphere, with Max Schreck’s portrayal of Count Orlok standing as one of the most iconic depictions of a vampire in cinematic history. Nosferatu is celebrated for its use of shadows, distorted landscapes, and nightmarish imagery, making it a seminal work in the horror genre and a masterpiece of German Expressionist cinema.
Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau was one of the most influential filmmakers of the silent era and a key figure in the development of German Expressionism. Known for his ability to convey complex emotions and psychological states through purely visual means, his films often dealt with themes of fate, morality, and the human condition. His innovative and groundbreaking camera techniques pushed the boundaries of what was possible in cinema, influencing filmmakers long after his death.
