by Hayley Charlesworth
Das Cabinet des Dr Caligari, or The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, is revolutionary. Considered the first example of horror cinema (released in 1920, before Nosferatu and other early classics) and one of the earliest science fiction films, before Metropolis but after Le Voyage dans la Lune, The Cabinet of Dr Caligari has had a profound effect on genre cinema, television, and popular culture in general. But even away from its great influence, this German Expressionist classic is simply a fantastic film.
Das Cabinet des Dr Caligari, or The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, is revolutionary. Considered the first example of horror cinema (released in 1920, before Nosferatu and other early classics) and one of the earliest science fiction films, before Metropolis but after Le Voyage dans la Lune, The Cabinet of Dr Caligari has had a profound effect on genre cinema, television, and popular culture in general. But even away from its great influence, this German Expressionist classic is simply a fantastic film.
Directed by Robert Wiene from a screenplay by Hans Janowitz and Carl Meyer, The Cabinet of Dr Caligari is a story of insanity and exploitation. Francis (Friedrich Fehér) is our narrator, telling a friend an interesting tale from his past concerning Jane (Lil Dagover) that leads to him calling her his fiancé. In flashback, we see Francis and his friend Alan competing for the hand of Jane at a carnival, where they meet the charismatic Dr Caligari (Werner Krauss) and his star attraction, the hypnotically controlled somnambulist Cesare (Conrad Veidt). With Caligari claiming that Cesare can answer any question in his hypnotised state, Cesare declares that Alan will die at dawn. With Alan’s violent death only the most recent in a series of murders, Francis and Jane begin to investigate Caligari and Cesare, but the mad doctor dispatches Cesare to murder Jane, but Cesare is enamoured with her beauty and has other plans. Revealing any more of the plot would spoil the effect for anyone who hasn’t seen this film yet – even if it does seem redundant trying not to spoil something that came out in 1920.
This is because The Cabinet of Dr Caligari contains what is considered the first ever twist ending in cinema. In a climate where every other movie needs some sort of twist these days, it is easy to forget how revolutionary this is. Likewise, it is one of the earliest instances of a frame story and flashback. Essentially, the filmmaking community owes this film a great debt for creating some of the genre’s most popular tropes.
This is because The Cabinet of Dr Caligari contains what is considered the first ever twist ending in cinema. In a climate where every other movie needs some sort of twist these days, it is easy to forget how revolutionary this is. Likewise, it is one of the earliest instances of a frame story and flashback. Essentially, the filmmaking community owes this film a great debt for creating some of the genre’s most popular tropes.
But it is the visuals for which The Cabinet of Dr Caligari is the most iconic. Take Cesare’s appearance. A tall, pale stranger dressed all in black and with an air of sexual danger? Yes, the book of Dracula came before, but the iconic Bela Lugosi of the Universal film wouldn’t exist without Caligari, nor would countless other horror villains or attractive goths. And then there’s the sets, uniformly excellent and dizzying in the German Expressionist period, making the action look creepily unreal but still recognisable: a world seen through the lens of a lunatic, linking with the demented twist of the conclusion. Shadows also come into play here, with Cesare almost a creature of the shadows himself, and the murders looking even more brutal and horrific when played in silhouette.
The Cabinet of Dr Caligari is re-released today, now fully restored and with a new soundtrack. While the grainy, low quality footage of silent-era film is part of its charm, the restored footage now looks absolutely stunning, with an incredible amount of effort put into the project. The image is crisp and of a quality similar to new releases, with the complex beauty of the set design now in full, intimate focus. It is an incredible undertaking, and one which deserves to be seen.
The Cabinet of Dr Caligari is re-released today, now fully restored and with a new soundtrack. While the grainy, low quality footage of silent-era film is part of its charm, the restored footage now looks absolutely stunning, with an incredible amount of effort put into the project. The image is crisp and of a quality similar to new releases, with the complex beauty of the set design now in full, intimate focus. It is an incredible undertaking, and one which deserves to be seen.
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