[The Count]

Nosferatu is one of my favorite all-time films. It was NOT the first vampire film, but it's maybe the best (& scariest).

It was a silent-film made in Germany by a director by the name of Mureau (sp?). He tried to get permission from Bram Stoker's (the author of the novel DRACULA) widow, but she refused to give it to him. So, he went ahead & filmed it anyway, but he left the vampire nameless (to avoid trouble) & used the German term, "Nosferatu" (i.e., undead).

Remember that the original movie was subtitled in German. Some cuts you find today actually have one or two captions which use the name "Dracula." This is not historically valid. It's an American insertion thing; since Dracula has become synonymous with Vampire & the story so-obviously is the same tale Stoker related.

Obviously, you love this film! Good taste :) I'd like to share two things that may interest you further.

There's a German talking remake, made in the 1980's sometime, starring Klaus-something-or-other (sorry, I'm removed from my notes right now). It's super-cool, and scarey as all. It follows the original version closely & is VERY ATMOSPHERIC. There's an English cut, too. I believe you'd enjoy it. Check it out.

Lastly, a recent movie name SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE starring Wilhelm DeFoe (sp? -- again :( ) This is fictional. It's relates how Mureau allegedly filmed the original NOSFERATU. The hook is this: according to the movie, |Mureau hired A REAL VAMPIRE to play Nosferatu!!!! :p Naturally, blood flows & havoc ensues.

THE COUNT