Nosferatu has come to be known as the greatest vampire movie of all time. This would be due to the realism that is portrayed within the movie. It is based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but it is far from romantic un-dead fluff.

Max Schreck plays Count Orlok the nosferatu who wishes to purchase a deserted house in Bremen Germany, where the story takes place. Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) is the real-estate agent who must travel to the Carpathian Mountains to meet with the Count, and have this arranged. During his journey he finds himself learning strange things about Orlok. The people react in fear to his name, and he begins to learn about Vampire folklore. He remains unconcerned with the matter until he has dinner with Orlok and accidentally cuts himself with a butter knife. Hutter becomes unnerved when Orlok becomes far too interested in his blood. Thus the horror begins.

The silent film has great power. It relies on visual effects to make its points clear. The scene with the ship on which Orlok travels is perhaps one of the most memorable of the movie. The idea of living dead and the putrid ness of it are realized in Orlok who looks like a fierce bat.

Nosferatu proves that classic silent films are in a world all there own. They mark the beginning of cinema.