DVD Review: Two rare films from director Murnau
When one discusses the work of German Expressionist director Fredrich Wilhelm (F.W.) Murnau, films like “Nosferatu” (1922), “The Last Laugh” (1924) or “Sunrise” (1927) are among the first to be mentioned. There is good reason for that. So many of the great director’s films are lost.
Thus, it is especially significant when KINO releases two rarities in Murnau’s filmography on the same DVD/blu ray disc. “The Haunted Castle” (1921) is one of the few Murnau films pre-Nosferatu that exist at all. It is the portent to his exploring of horror cinema. The other film on the disc, “The Finances of the Grand Duke” (1924) is a rare attempt at light comedy for the filmmaker of otherwise very serious films.
“The Haunted Castle” deals with a gathering that includes both Count Oetsch and Baroness Safferstätt. Oetsch is not welcome, as it is generally believed that he murdered his brother, who had been the first husband of the baroness. Oetsch argues his innocence and promises to find the real murderer. The film is beautifully atmospheric, with Murnau’s use of darkness and editing between close-ups of different characters adding to the artistic brilliance of the presentation. For instance, the succession of shots between a close-up of Oestch’s gruesome face to a head and torso close-up of a man laughing derisively-yet-comfortably, is positively chilling. When we compare similar approaches to the later “Nosteratu” and “The Last Laugh,” we can see Murnau’s vision as a filmmaker evolving. His different shots of actor Lothar Mehnert as Count Johann Oetsch are striking (Mehnert appeared in only three films before his death in 1926).
When Murnau switches to a medium or long shot, the art direction of Hermann Warm is especially stunning and impressive.
“The Finances of the Grand Duke,” Murnau’s rare cinematic excursion into much lighter fair, is filmed much more brightly, with scenes bathed in lightness rather than darkness. The actors do not project an eerie sense of foreboding in their eyes, but are instead cheerfully bouncing about in their interaction. Even serious flashback sequences are more brightly lit than standard scenes in a Murnau drama. However, this film parts from Murnau’s usual approach on more levels than just the visual presentation. The narrative conflicts are a good basis for comedy. The plot deals with a Grand Duke who wants to solve the massive state debt of Abacco by marrying a wealthy Grand Duchess, and must ward off creditors and revolutionaries in the process. Murnau was exploring another genre, and it works remarkably well. It is unfortunate that he didn’t do more with comedy in his career. This is quite funny and showed real potential in the genre.
KINO has done a great service to filmmaker Murnau by having so much of his timeless work readily available. They are now offering two of his less noted, but most significant ,works – a rare precursor to his classic horror sagas and his only attempt at comedy. Both films are beautifully restored and are comfortably available on the same disc. Their importance to the history of German film goes beyond mere words. An absolute must for libraries, research centers, and those interested in German cinema.
The blu ray is available at this link: Murnau films.