The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari (1920) Dir: Robert Wiene
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This legendary piece of silent cinema, directed by Robert Wiene, is considered by many to be the best example of German expressionism. It is certainly, alongside the likes of 'Nosferatu' and 'Metropolis', a remarkably important piece of cinema, especially for the horror genre.
There is something so entrancing about silent cinema that I love. It brings you in and makes you truly focus on what you are watching.
This, combined with the film's mysterious storyline has the effect of pulling its audience in with a suspense that you wouldn't necessarily expect from a silent film.
The film features some inventive, impressionistic set design, with clear theatre roots, as well as a classic use of shadows that was incredibly advanced for that early era of cinema.
I also really appreciated the use of vignetting throughout the film, which added another layer to the The story is a wonderful and early example of non-linear storytelling, which is both clever and enthralling. The film also has some very early but effective examples of plot twists that make the film that much better.
Furthermore, being a German expressionist film, the film is full of anti-establishment symbolism that criticises totalitarianism - a criticism of the German government.
Conrad Viedt, Werner Kraus, Lil Dagover and Friedrich Feher all give good performances for the time, utilising, of course, larger than life mannerisms to tell the story as effectively as possible.
Overall, I think this is one of the most quintessential pieces of cinema in history. If not for it's innovative use of filmmaking techniques and set design, then for it's brilliantly mysterious storytelling and undeniable influence on the next century of cinema.
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