German Expressionism

Max Reinhardt

Max Reinhardt was from an Austrian merchant family (surname officially changed from the family name Goldmann to Reinhardt in 1904) (September 9, 1873 – October 30, 1943) was an Austrian-born American theatre and film director, intendant, and theatrical producer. With his innovative stage productions, he is regarded as one of the most prominent directors of German-language theatre in the early 20th century. 

Many objects and characters with the use of high contrast between dark and light. The plots that featured in German expressionism were usually occupied with madness, identity of one’s self and insanity. When all these aspects were brought together the result was usually a dark film with plenty of subtext to them.

German Expressionism: Slide 1

 Expressionism In Cinema

German cinema of the 1920’s was dominated by expressionism from screenplays, to set designs, the shadow of the art movement was impossible to escape. This led to German cinema  becoming one of the most exciting national cinemas in Europe and indeed the world, as Hollywood was still finding its feet with the relatively new medium.

German Expressionism: Slide 2

German Expressionism: Slide 2

 

German Expressionism: Slide 3

German Expressionism: Slide 4

 Nosferatu (1922)

Released in 1922, F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror is another prime example of expressionism at work in cinema. Murnau’s film is a retelling of Bram Stoker’s classic horror novel Dracula. Famously the characters names were changed because the production company failed to gain the rights for a film adaptation.

Murnau’s approach to the expressionist style in Nosferatu is certainly more subtle than Dr. Caligari. Whilst the plot is rooted in fantasy, the landscape and setting of the Nosferatu is a scenery that the audience will recognise. It is within these realistic settings that Murnauexpresses some beautiful expressionist scenes.

The surrounding forest of Count Orlok’s castle is eerie and unsettling, it doesn’t seem to contain much wildlife. When Thomas Hutter arrives at Orlok’s castle, the scene is one of dilapidation and loneliness. The castle is run down and is crooked upon the hill it sits on.  Inside the grounds of the castle, shadows can be seen immersing most of the court-yard. Hutter walks through a crooked arch way that is engulfed in shadow too meet the mysterious Count Orlok who awaits on the other side.

German Expressionism: Slide 5

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

Released in 1920, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari has been labelled the quintessential example of German expressionist cinema. The most striking aspect of director Robert Wiene’s horror masterpiece is the style and tone of the film, which left the German public both horrified and enthralled. Today contemporary critics and audience alike are still hypnotised by the set designs and tone of Dr. Caligari.  The plot follows the dark and twisting story of the mysterious Dr. Caligari (Werner Krauss) who uses a somnambulist (Conrad Veidt) to commit murder in the villages he visits.

The world in which Wiene presents to us in Dr. Caligari is one of darkness and uncertainty. To achieve this darkness, set designer Hermann Warm  decided to paint much of the background props as supposed to  constructing them. This in turn gives the film an unnatural feel.

The use of artificial shadow and the jagged buildings give the look that the town could collapse in on itself at any moment.

As the film progresses, the horrid landscape of Holstenwall town can be seen as a representation of the characters psyche. Due to the film being a silent one, expressionistic art is a perfect way of projecting these themes due to the lack of dialogue.

German Expressionism: Slide 6

German Expressionism: Slide 7

Conclusion

The importance of German expressionism on cinema is immense. From direction to the technical aspect of film making, its footprints can been seen all over cinema. One of the most celebrated films of all time contains many expressionist motifs. Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane is an ode to expressionist film making, with many of its most famous scenes displaying this and its fragmented plot.

Even today the shadow of German expressionism is still casting a shadow over film making. The films of Tim Burton are highly influenced by it, and he constantly refers back to expressionism in his work. The popular comic book films of the past decade also show signs of expressionism, Sin City being the prime example. It may be nearly a hundred years old but expressionism is still inspiring directors and screenwriters alike.