Film Review

Space & Environment

Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari

Director: Robert Wiene

Figure 1

Figure 2

Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari or The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) is a silent black and white horror film that was created in Germany by director Robert Wiene. Caligari took influence from the German Expressionists and is one of the most influential German expressionist films ever created and is still considered one of the biggest influences for horror film today. The unique designs of the sets create an uneasy tone throughout the film due to the uneven, obscure shapes. In turn, the environments really gain an unnatural mood and produce a sense of fear on the viewers by the outlandish scenes and obscure perspectives. Another aspect which builds on these attributes is the use of lighting within the spaces, as it multiplies the suspense and drama which are created using the shadows and silhouettes from the various angles and shapes to develop a feel of anarchy in the plot (Figure 2). Rather than attempting to capture realism, which was the general method of the time, Wiene went the opposite route, slathering the screen with forced perspectives and all kinds of bizarre diagonals and slants; there is hardly a right angle to be found in this film. It results in vivid, dreamlike logic and a terrifying lack of control.
(Anderson, J.M)

Caligari delves into gothic styles and explores ideas of the surreal and the weird. The way the style is introduced helps to implement the horrific genre and the now typical conventions which are seen within a horror film. The expressionist precepts build of the portrayal of the gothic genre because of the alteration of the moods and ideas that the actors interpret through the freakishly dance-like movement and the extraordinary use of sets and illusions of perspective.

Wiene's expressionistic masterpiece is required viewing for lovers of the gothic and the weird. (Vaux R)

Figure 3 During the time period where this film was produced (after the events of World War I) the world was left broken and splintered which led to the further exploration of expressionism. This fragmented and shattered world was reflected through the use of the patterns and mark makings apparent within the film which give off the subtle effects within the specific genres, and mirrors similar emotions of the anguished Germany at the time (Figure 3). Its roots lie in the aftermath of WWI and the tormented world of the German national consciousness at that time. The film conveys through its story and aesthetics a world of chaos and disorder where the individual existence is overshadowed by fear of its own past experience and the hostile powers embodied within the establishment. (Gangas, S) Arguably being the first horror film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari provided the film industry with a leap in techniques and styles and has heavily influenced the way in which modern directors interpret and elucidate expressionistic ideas, and had brought the twist ending into public light which became popular with many audiences.

Review Bibliography References Anderson, Jeffery (2008) available at: http://www.combustiblecelluloid.com; http://www.combustiblecelluloid.com/classic/cabcaligari.shtml [accessed online on 1 October 2012]. Vaux, Robert (2005) available at: http://www.rottentomatoes.com; http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1003361-cabinet_of_dr_caligari/reviews/ [accessed online on 1 October 2012]. Gangas, Spiros (1994) available at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0010323/externalreviews (#33); http://www2.eufs.org.uk/films/the_cabinet_of_dr_caligari.html [accessed online on 2 October 2012] Images Figure 1: http://www.steve-calvert.co.uk/pub-dom/imgs/cabinet-des-drcaligari/cabinet-des-dr-caligari.JPG Figure 2: http://silentlondon.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/cabinet-of-dr-caligari.jpg Figure 3: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_o0AUrCr8VGs/St9P69FOg2I/AAAAAAAAAX0/OGFRPMcM CCs/s400/dr_caligari21.jpg