1. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
Dir: Robert Wiene
Cast: Werner Krauss, Conrad Veidt, Friedrich Feher
Starting things off we go to where feature length horror films were arguably first conceived, the heartland of Germany. Rising out of the "German Expressionism" era of the 1910s, a new genre would be born and forever become a staple of cinema. I begin my Horror film countdown with one of the most influential pieces of the silent era, Robert Wiene's The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari a German film released in 1920.
Detailing the story of a series of murders committed by a deranged Doctor (Werner Krauss), along with his faithful somnambulist (sleepwalker) servant Cesare (Played by a young Conrad Veidt) The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is unique not only for it's early use of a "frame story", that meaning that it's presented in flashbacks from a central character, but as well for it's legendary gothic presentation and unsettling atmosphere. Sets are twisted, deformed, and abstracted giving the viewer a cold and isolated feeling while the story presented in both a very brooding and dark manner, a special framework that would influence horror filmmakers for years to come.
What I love about Dr. Caligari is how much it stands out from other films of that era or even today. It truly is a surreal looking picture and a beautiful piece of art. Though you can't count out the great story that unfolds in this dreamlike picture. A suspenseful story of murder and mystery with plenty of great twists and turns, they certainly broke the mold when they made this.
Fright Fact: Legendary for it's complex and abstract look, most of the sets were actually just made out of paper with shadows simply painted on.
Horror Highlight: I wanted to include Youtube clips for my favorite scenes from each movie. It was kind of tough finding a scene from Caligari that didn't have somebody's personal lame music playing over it, so i just settled for any clip. Here's a scene where Caligari reveals Cesare, not much to it, just Conrad Veidt acting all creepy.
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