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| Vampyr (1932) directed by Carl T. Dreyer 8.5/10 |
| VAMPYR
First of all, I have to say that I am passionate about Bram Stocker's Dracula and that I want to see every goddamn adaptation they could ever have done on screen. The variations we encounter in Dreyer's masterpiece are very interesting; the master vampire is a woman! Disturbing additions like the dancing shadows, and the protagonist's vision of himself in his own coffin is terrific! But personally I think that the leading role should have been played by a stronger actor. Dreyer always worked with excellent actors (ex. Maria Falconetti in La passion de Jeanne d'arc) that can give to the director what he wanted, but I think Julian West missed it. It's my only (but very important) negative critic on this film. Technically, Dreyer tries some effects with the use of human shadows to represent the ghosts (or characters) surrounding Allan Grey. The techniques used in Vampyr as well as the ones used in Murnau's Nosferatu are pretty efficient and frightens even more than the overuse of computer programming and special effects of today. Frankly, in my opinion this is much more "cinematic" to use this kind of "trucage" than computers, it proves that these directors weren't afraid to invent different ways to use the camera and the imagerie. Well, this is another brick in my way to the 1000 greatests films, but I should say another monument by one of the most talented directors of all times! by Michael Parent |