Shadow of the Vampire (E. Elias Merhige, 2000): USA

Reviewed by William Conlin. Viewed on DVD

In the last two decades, the genre of docu-drama has become a standard for premium television channels and low budget film companies. A large amount of these films deal with entertainment and the filmmaking process. People seem to enjoy the “more action happened behind the camera than in front of it” idea. That’s why I love it when the genre gets turned on its head, as it was with E. Elias Merhige’s farcical Shadow of the Vampire.

The film, set in the early 1920’s, retells the making of F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu with one slight alteration: the films star isn’t an actor, but an actual Vampire. Murnau (played by the always brilliant John Malkovich) finds a miserable old Vampire (Willem Dafoe) in Eastern Europe and promises him a supply of fresh blood if he agrees to star in his adaptation of Dracula. As production begins, the Vampire begins to run wild, killing members of the crew and making outrageous demands to Murnau, who is left wondering how he can finish his film and kill the Vampire before everyone involved in the production is slaughtered.

Though this film is full of classic camp, it still features some great acting. Willem Dafoe’s performance is so compelling he was nominated for an Academy Award and Malkovich’s portrayal of Murnau as he slowly goes insane, is so convincing you feel the urge to take a step back while watching him. With a supporting cast featuring Cary Elwes, Eddie Izzard and perennial horror favorite Udo Kier, this is definitely a film to watch if you love the original Nosferatu. Along with Dafoe, the film was deservedly nominated for and Oscar for Best Makeup, it’s almost worth watching purely for the way Dafoe is transformed into his character.

I also like to look at this film for its subtext. As the film progresses, the Vampire discovers his power over Murnau and he begins to make demands, such as killing the scriptwriter, much like a movie star would ask for a larger trailer. The film also explores the balance between reality and film. Scenes in Murnau’s reality are mirrored by scenes in the film he is trying to make. The film is actually made in the same style as a silent movie. Acts are divided by intertitles and scenes are divided by stylized shots lifted from the actual film Nosferatu.

If you’ve never seen the original Nosferatu I’d recommend, seeing that first, then watching this film. It’s a fun double feature and you may find yourself blurring the line between the two. Although the original film can’t be beat, Shadow of the Vampire is an excellent companion piece.