Skip to content
Vampyr – 1932 Dreyer
- Once you get over that it’s going to be a somewhat (relative to a top 25 film of all-time) disappointing follow-up to the passion of joan of arc (Dreyer’s previous film) it’s a very impressive gothic/expressionist moody slow-burn of a film
- Gorgeous wallpaper throughout- great décor
- I’m guessing Julian West (plays lead Allan Grey) was chosen for those wide expressive eyes (he’s no Falconetti but still)
- The film is filled with film technique invention and experimentation. We have a great scene of a superimposed show of a creature along the river
- Plenty of work with shadows
- Rolling tracking shots along a dark coordinator (and that corridor has complicated mise-en-scene and silhouettes)
- Very atmospheric— draped in fog– really no narrative movement which is going to drive horror fans nuts
- The shadow expressionism here is clearly influenced by caligari and nosferatu by Murnau—the camera is also very adventurous like Murnau’s sunrise
- More experimentation with film techniques from Dreyer- we have him playing with film stock speed and reversing the photography as well— he also messes around with technology here making West transparent
- Eerie film that makes you feel like you’re floating or transported—quite lyrical
- Long title cards- seems like every 3-5 minutes
- The film has two main locations- the hotel and the house and the best scene is where he walks from the hotel to the house- it’s a stunner
- It’s absolutely fair to call this his “Murneau film”—and a damn good one
- Fabulous shot from inside and outside the coffin
- Reoccurring formal shot of the sky
- Strong climax with superimposed head outside and the camera whipping around
- Open ending. Is it the freedom of heaven (Dreyer auteurism) or is he another victim
- Must-See film- top 5 of the year quality
Drake2020-07-03T10:31:14+00:00
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
You are asking why was Julian West chosen for the part of Allan Gray- in a Bordwell book that I am just reading (FILM HISTORY: AN INTRODUCTION Third edition), he writes that West was a young bourgeoisie who promised the funding for the film, if he would play the main role.
@RujK- Thank you- good insight