Horror Classic Soup: Nosferatu & Phantom of the Opera

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

DIRECTED BY: RUPERT JULIAN

NOVEL BY: GASTON LEROUX

Rupert Julian's 1925 silent classic retelling of the infamous Leroux novel delves wondrously into the world of everyone's favorite Phantom painting a more dark and violent portrait of the man.

In Julian's tale the Phantom, played by shape-shifting mastermind Lon Chaney, is not the sympathetic antihero, so much as a dark, disturbed, and vile thing whose life has become a thing of shadows and hate.

Erik, the phantom, is driven by two things in life - his distaste for other men and his love for opera singer Christine (Mary Philbin). Christine finds Erik alluring, in his secrecy, but is disgusted once his true figure is revealed. Erik's plea that he is what the world made him are rejected by Christine, and the tale becomes more about Christine's desire to return to her love, and flee this despicable monster, than a tale of torn romance.

Julian's tale sacrifices some of the more romantic undertones of the novel (albeit due to screening results) in preference of more action and adventure. This creates a more thrilling and compelling film, but I fear it loses some of the romantic beauty of the tale.

I can say as silent films age Phantom of the Opera has aged modestly. Some of its more silent-era dynamics, in terms of acting, may come off more cheesy than intended for those less familiar with silent films. All in all though, nothing that will lead its viewer anywhere near the off button.

Overall Score: 8.00/10

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 NOSFERATU

DIRECTED BY: F.W. MURNAU

WRITTEN BY: HENRIK GALEEN

Loosely based on the novel 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker, F.W. Murnau's tale of real estate agent Hutter's (Gustav von Wagenheim) encounter with the mysterious Count Orlak, Nosferatu (Max Schreck), is an engrossing adventure/horror tale.

Separated by Acts, Nosferatu relies equally on adventure and chase sequences as it does on eerie circumstances, and groundbreaking (for their day) effects, to gain the thrills necessary. The use of shadows, lighting, and a stare from Schreck that could launch a thousand fears, strikes an unsettling feeling into the viewer. A feeling that darkness and death are immeninent.

This feeling is supported by a wonderfully well laid out lore to Nosferatu. Nosferatu carries with him the Black Death destroying any town he visits. He can only be destroyed by the sacrifice of a young maid. The way his shadow always looms ahead of his movements, assuming he moves at all.

Murnau and Galeen give great weight to the original Stoker narrative, while still supplying their own spin on the tale. Nosferatu is as much about the destination as it is the journey. The mystery in the world, which has been liberally taken from since its creation, still carries the same wonder today as it did then. Schrek's Nosferatu is still as creepy and unnerving as ever, always supplying the viewer with more to fear.

Overall Score: 8.50/10

The General (1926)

THE GENERAL

DIRECTED & WRITTEN BY: CLYDE BRUCKMAN & BUSTER KEATON
BOOK BY: WILLIAM PITTENGER
REVIEWED FOR: 1001 MOVIE CLUB
OVERALL SCORE: 8.00/10

After his train is stolen, along with the love of his life, by Union spies, southern train engineer Johnnie Gray (Buster Keaton) must race into enemy lines of the North to get them before its too late.

There's a certain uncanny charm to the films of Buster Keaton. If you've never seen a film of his, the best way I could summarize it in modern terms would be to think of 90's Jackie Chan without all the Kung Fu. Keaton had a knack circus like stunts, using his scrawny figure to put himself into situations few others could imagine. And The General is just the kind of film that offers itself to that medium of comedic entertainment.

An element of lunacy, and character, wrapped into one situation after another as our typical bumbling hero just can't seem to get everything right. Put that man in charge of a huge vehicle, and let the magic happen.

Add to that two thrilling train chase sequences, and you've got yourself the basic plot of The General. What the film really serves as, is a stage for Keaton to work his magic time after time. The movie doesn't slow down to deal with different plots. Everything moves as the pace of the train, and in that Keaton and Bruckman created a fast paced thriller with plenty of laughs to go around.

The only real weakness in the film lies in that its comedic setups are at times far too obvious. Not so much a problem with the film, as much as it is a telling on how many films have taken notes from it.

Benefiting from the thrilling predicament, The General doesn't have to rely solely on its gags to get through. Keaton's natural charisma stands plenty strong enough to keep viewers at the edge of their seat. Each new plot point increases the tension, and Keaton handles it with care.

The only supporting character to get any screen time is that of Gray's beloved, Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack). A typical dimwitted, yet beautiful, female heroine, who is good for a few laughs, but really there as the romantic counter to Keaton's frantic nature.

Frantic, perhaps the best way to summarize The General. Always on the move. Keeping you zoned in at every turn. Never a wasted shot, never a waste scene. Sit back, throw up your boots, and just enjoy this Silent film classic.

A testament to the ever talented, physical specimen, that is Buster Keaton, The General will wow, thrill, and amuse film goers from beginning to end.