The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
Experimental Beginnings
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1h 15m
Hypnotic doctor uses sleepwalker for murders in twisted German town.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, a silent horror film from 1920 directed by Robert Wiene, breaks away from the conventions of realism that dominated early filmmaking. Instead, the film embraces German Expressionism, a movement that emphasizes subjective experience over objective reality.
Caligari's world is one of distorted sets, with warped buildings and painted shadows creating a nightmarish atmosphere. The acting is equally theatrical, with exaggerated movements and heavy makeup heightening the emotional impact. This visual style reflects the characters' inner turmoil, particularly the descent into madness.
The narrative itself is unconventional. A frame story throws the audience into question as the true nature of the events unfolds. This twist ending, along with the unreliable narrator, challenges viewers to grapple with perception and the line between sanity and delusion.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari's influence on cinema is vast. It established a visual language for horror films and inspired countless filmmakers to push the boundaries of the medium. Its enduring legacy lies in its exploration of the dark corners of the human psyche and its ability to transport viewers into a world unlike any other.
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