There are so many films that come out every week let alone every year, aren’t there? We can get so caught up in trying to keep up with the latest awards contenders, box office hits, and culturally relevant pieces that we just don’t have enough time to turn back the clock and check out films from the past. But it is so important to expand our horizons and experience the art that has set the stage for today’s cinema. You might need to find the time, so it is important to make wise choices with what you spend that time watching. Whether we head back 10 years, 50 years, or even 100 years, there is great cinema throughout the years. But let’s rewind the clock and here are some reasons why you should check out… Vampyr (1932)
| Directed by: Carl Theodor Dreyer Starring: Julian West, Maurice Schultz, Rena Mandel, Jan Hieronimko |
Mystery
In 1930, so much was still surprising and new for moviegoers. Vampires were made popular by Bram Stoker’s novel, but they were not something that is saturated as they are today. Dreyer is still able to leverage this to build tension and mystery throughout Vampyr. The process might be methodical and rely on a character reading from a book but it still builds that tension and intrigue throughout the film. What is really going on? Our protagonist is oblivious to the whole situation and experiences the film with us. Julian West is a perfect conduit for us and we can appreciate the horrors around every corner like him.
Filmmaking
Dreyer shows that they had an impressive handle on the medium of the film quite earlier on in the life of this artform. The way the camera pans and moves about the space is unique and different for this period. This might seem mundane and simplistic by today’s standards but for a film in 1932, this was not commonplace. The crisp black and white are gorgeous and Dreyer can use it subtly to present the horrors of his story without having to lean into obvious beats. A creepy shadow with claws and grotesque shapes does more for the film than blood and guts would have. This film is about atmosphere and Dreyer knows just how to leverage this purpose to create an affecting and impactful early horror experience.
The World
Dreyer was a Danish filmmaker who worked at a time where German Expressionism ran rampant in the film world. You can see subtle influences that he must have picked up with how he portrayed his own works. There is an early shot of a statue with grotesque features that instills fear in the audience. The darkness and bone-chilling visuals that Dreyer creates are impactful and impressive. The production design is just as important as the big eerie castles. The halls and interiors of these structures are set up to maximize tension. Shadows are the most important tool that Dreyer has to maximize the visuals while not giving it all away. The way shadows move across walls and the ground allows our imaginations to run rampant without Dreyer having to tip his hand. This is a gorgeous and striking standout in early cinema that set the tone for vampire films moving forward.
