expressionistic sets. Even for it's time it still holds as being very fascinating film introducing expressionism to the cinema. Expressionists are not interested in producing the outer reality, rather the ‘inner life’. The film is shot in a studio giving the director more control over the set, lighting and camera work. This new ephasise on the lighting, set and costumes gave the art director a more important role in the film making process.
Although the story is quite traditional, it is filmed in a non-traditional way. Like Melies' "Trip to the Moon" is filmed in an unrealistic way that exaggerates reality. The strange irregular painted sets, unexpected camera angles, expressionistic lighting, dark shadows and high contrasts create a eerie mood and a mad world. This all helps emphasise the story being shown through the eyes of a mad man.
Robert Wiere is thought of as the father of horror films starting the traditional Hollywood horror film genre consisting of a mad doctor, monster he creates and girl they terrorise and influencing other expressionist films such as Dracula (Tod Browning- 1931), Frankenstein (James Whale- 1931), Hitchcock films and film noir. An extremely artistic film and another classic in the history of cinema making it a must see for film historians, even if it is only watched for its non realistic, stylised component.
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