I’ve had to trek back into the archives for this film as Mark seemed not to get the memo about my reviewing only horror films this month when picking his film this week. I will also say I have seen ‘Vampyr’ (1932) before and remember absolutely diddly squat. Genuinely, I was watching it again and nothing was coming back to me, so this was effectively like watching it for the first time. I will also preface this review by saying I have had my first day back in working away from home today and as I am knackered. As a result, I definitely am not in the right headspace or mood to watch a film like this, but it is what it is and as long as you know that going in, we’re golden. I even might end up doing a redux of this review at some point in the future. The film follows Allan Gray (Julian West) who upon arriving in the village of Courtempierre discovers a mysterious evil that is shrouding the village. You can probably guess what his evil is from the title.
This film is seen as an absolute classic of cinema and is also the first sound film by the master Carl Theodor Dreyer. And you can tell that this is an early exploration into the world of sound cinema for the director because it feels very much like a hybrid of sound and silent. Right from the off there is a feeling that this film is in fact a silent film. The way it is shot makes it look like a silent film as well as the overarching score which underpins the entire film, heling to create the atmosphere. The acting also feels like it is a hybrid of sound cinema and silent cinema. The acting often feels melodramatic with the exaggerated movements and facial expressions that are so prevalent in silent cinema. The performances aren’t as unsubtle as in most silent films, but it is still there. The film also tells a lot of the story and gives a lot of information through silent film style cue cards, and it is in these moments where the film really suffers. When the film is telling its story through its visuals (of which I will touch on shortly) it is often masterful, but there is a large chunk in the middle of the film where it ends up becoming ungodly slow. This might be where my tiredness played a big part in my enjoyment of my film, but for me this middle section of the film felt like it went on and on and for a film that is just shy of an hour and fifteen minutes that is not a good thing. However, the film does have its moments.
On a visual level I can’t say a bad word against this film. As I said earlier, the film is masterful when it comes to its visuals. There are a couple sequences within this film which are visually stunning, so much so that there is one shot in one of these sequences which I literally let a little moan of pleasure (enjoy that image) at just how great it was. This particular shot was a pan and Dreyer does not shy away from the pan in this film, using it frequently and to great effect. The film is also superb in its use of light and shadow, adopting a German expressionist style. The set design stays the ore minimalist side of the expressionist style, but it is still there, but the film uses shadows like I eat crap (frequently and in large quantity). There are several shots that incorporate shadows that are beautiful as well as creating an overarching feeling of being in a waking dream, which is the aspect of the film I loved. You are never entirely sure what is real and what isn’t, what is happening ad what is not. It is never clear, and this nightmarish feeling creates a brilliant atmosphere fro the film. Unfortunately, it is somewhat tarnished by that hugely boring middle section of the film.
This is a film that so many people point at as being one of the greatest films of all time and watching it I truly can understand why. On a purely technical and visual level it is masterful, and I can’t say anything negative about it. But I also find it slow and a little boring. As a result, I don’t recommend it unless you are film buff who is into the history of film. But I will reiterate I am definitely not in the right mood to be watching a film like this and the fact that so many people say it is a five-star film makes me think I may have got it wrong for the second time. I will watch it again and when I do, if I think this review is wrong, I will come back to it.