September 10, 2009

The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari (1919)

Often cited as the 'granddaddy of all horror films', this is an eerie exploration of the mind of a madman, pitting an evil doctor against a hero falsely incarcerated in a lunatic asylum. Through a clever framing device the audience is never quite clear on who is mad and who is sane, and viewing the film's skewed take on reality is a disturbing experience, heightened by the jagged asymmetry of the mise en scene. Although modern viewers might find the pace slow, with long takes and little cutting between scenes, "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" is stylish, imaginative, and never less than haunting.


Now I know what influenced Rob Zombie to make the music video, "Living Dead Girl".

Blood on her skin, dripping with sin...

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