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Nosferatu is a silent horror film directed by German filmmaker F.W Murnau and released in 1922. The film is based on Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula. However, due to copyright issues, the names from the novel were adapted to different ones. The role of Dracula is played by Max Schreck, who appeared in his first role in the movie. The plot of the movie revolves around the story of a real estate agent named Hutter played by Gustav von Wangenheim, who goes to Transylvania to meet Count Orlok, who is seeking to buy a new home in Wisborg.

The movie is set mostly in Transylvania, with the majority of the scenes happening in Orlok's castle. The movie primarily focuses on the relationship between Hutter and Orlok, and how it eventually turns into a deadly force that consumes the entire town. The director's interpretation of the Count Orlok's physical features as an alien-like creature, characterized by his spiked ears, bald head, elongated fingernails, and his almost prehistoric appearance, was hauntingly different and creepy.

From an acting perspective, Max Schreck's portrayal of Orlok is nothing short of extraordinary. He plays the role with such intensity and perfect timing that his character's sheer presence alone is enough to make the audience feel uncomfortable. Schreck's towering figure dominates and looms over every other cast member, and his performance is consistently in harmony with the dark and eerie backdrop of the movie.

The movie's use of light and shadows to create suspense and anticipation is impressive. The cinematography of the movie is outstanding and showcases Gothic architecture, icy mountains, and thick forests. The movie's use of dark and muted tones and the subtle yet effective use of shadows demonstrates the expertise of the director and the scriptwriter. The silent film had inter-titles that helped lay out the story and often had quotes from the novel, revealing that the themes and situations were derived almost entirely from Stoker's original work.

The movie's soundtrack is also cleverly crafted, with the use of muted bands and sound effects of nature instead of background music. It adds to the suspense and creates a sense of anticipation that keeps the viewer at the edge of their seat. This film was one of the very first instances of this kind of feature, and it is now regarded as a classic in the horror genre that inspired countless future films in the same genre.

As the story unfolds, the tension gradually builds, mainly when Orlok is finally exposed to the natural environment. The film's climax is mesmerizing, and the unique depiction of death by vanquishing the vampire was groundbreaking in its time. The movie's ultimate message is that evil cannot win out in the end; there will always be a hero, and virtue will eventually triumph. The movie embodies this message with the hero, Thomas Hutter, eventually defeating the evil that threatened to destroy everyone in the movie.

Overall, Nosferatu has left a lasting impact on the horror genre in cinema. It continues to inspire and be the basis behind some of the most successful films in the horror genre, both foreign and domestic. The movie is a true classic, able to appeal to a wider audience, even those who would typically steer clear of the horror genre. Nosferatu remains a masterpiece that will continue to be cherished for many years to come.

Nosferatu is a fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9.