Saturday, September 12, 2009

Images From the Incredible "Caligari"







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8 comments:

  1. AgustinaSeptember 12, 2009 at 10:47 PM

    My friend John pointed out to me that the video for Red Hot Chili Peppers's song "Otherside" takes a lot of things from Caligari. It also has some Escher thigns to it too, it's pretty cool. I think is awesome how they still reference that movie, even in music videos. (Here is a link for the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzupPmYvXGI )

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  2. RonSeptember 13, 2009 at 3:58 AM

    Interesting stuff for sure. Modern culture continues to be influenced by the power of this film. In fact, back in the eighties, the British underground band "Bauhaus" based a good portion of it's entire approach to this film, along with similar cultural items. One could recognize the potency of the basic plot and it's clever arrangement, handling, etc. but let's face it: There's a simple reason why this film has endured, and that is, that it's cool! Without over thinking it, it's got a "feel" that's very unique, and that feel is the artistic, German Expressionistic signature layered over the traditional, easily-digested, linear story line.

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  3. Amazon ButterflySeptember 13, 2009 at 11:35 AM

    The thing I loved the most about this film was how precise and deliberate everything was. From set design, cinematography, the score and even the lighting, everything seemed to be so carefully planned. I would be interested to know if there is any surviving concept or storyboard art, or even production notes, just to see the true love for detail everyone in designing this production seemed to have. For a lot of early films, I have noticed the director would generally shoot from only a hand full of locations with little control over the light, exact camera angle, etc. Personally, "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" is a true masterpiece of artistic achievement not only because of the detail that was so carefully planned out and executed, but also for the clever and twisted story of a madman and his world.

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  4. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2009 at 8:38 PM

    This movie wowed me.... what else can I say? The set, costumes, basically the whole visual design of the movie was amazingly unreal even though modern day influences have been mentioned. I admit, during the movie I was thinking some of the scenery looked like Nightmare Before Christmas.
    I liked how each character in this film was cleary identifiable. Sometimes I have trouble with these old films distinguishing the individual people because they are all dressed the same and act the same and sometimes even look the same. In this film however, I had no trouble at all. In particular I liked the zig zags on the girl's dress. It just made her stand out and more memorable to me than other heriones of silent films.
    Also the plot and theme were clearly more carefully executed and planned out. I thoroughly enjoyed the surprise ending. It wasn't open ended necesarily, but simply flipped upside down. I don't know. For some reason I just felt refreshed. Probably because I didn't see it coming. Had noooo clue!
    Anyway I'm glad this was one of the films we are studying. Very interesting stuff.

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  5. RonSeptember 15, 2009 at 8:40 PM

    Truly an amazing film, and it does my heart good to turn young people on to it. You haven't seen anything yet: Wait until we get to "Metropolis"!

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  6. IraSeptember 18, 2009 at 6:46 AM

    I agree. Wait till Metropolis. I can't wait to see the extended version. AH GAH GAH GAH!!!! Eye candy for the soul. Thank you Fritz Lang.

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  7. AnonymousOctober 21, 2009 at 1:30 AM

    http://www.wbko.com/blogs/behindthegreenscreen/40377012.html

    I know we are done with German Expressionism, but I ran across this while researching my paper and thought I'd share. ^_^

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  8. RonOctober 21, 2009 at 8:19 AM

    COOL! Thank you. Very cool.

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