Over the course of film history, there have been six versions of the story of “Nosferatu” (or at least six that I can find on the internet). And that’s to say nothing of the countless “Dracula” films that have also graced our screens over the years.
The first of these films, from German Expressionist director F.W. Murnau, debuted in 1922, an unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel “Dracula.” The first official version of Stoker’s work would come out in 1931, directed by Tod Browning.
Suffice it to say, “Nosferatu” is a property synonymous with film history, and a tale older than Hollywood itself. But, as evidenced by his previous work – “The Witch,” “The Lighthouse,” “The Northman” – writer/director Robert Eggers has an affinity for legends. And “Nosferatu,” which in part involves a strange creature who brings a plague unto humanity, certainly feels ripe for reimagination in 2024. Eggers brings his signature weirdness and the height of filmmaking craft to the endeavor, and while the story might not change all that much, that’s sort of the thing about legends –there’s always something new to mine.
Read Sammie’s full review on Rough Draft
