The Masterworks of the
German Horror Cinema
Elite Entertainment
DVD
Der Golem, 68 mins., 1920
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, 51 mins. (at sound speed), 1921
Nosferatu, 64 mins. (at sound speed), 1922

review by Shade Rupe

Although an excellent idea for a triple-feature DVD, Elite's decision to 'truncate' the viewing times of the latter two features on the DVD are somewhat disappointing. It is interesting to see the films speeded-up at 24 fps, and I do admit I prefer the full black and white imagery throughout, although the filmmakers intended the coloring to be there, this collection ends up being a bit botched in a few departments, most notably the difference in running times from the press release to the DVD box from the actual running tims of the films projected at their original speed.

Another strange occurrence is the absence of any music track for Der Golem. There are millions of erstwhile film composers out there who would've loved to score a 'lost' classic film. Oh well, we're happy it exists anyway. Der Golem is easily seen as a precursor's to James Whale's Frankenstein, with the 'monster' trunching through town, and even engagin with a little girl. This monster though, for all its classicness, looks a bit like something out of a Japanese monster flick, with bad wig to boot. I'm also surprised we don't have more anti-semite defamists in the mix as this film portrays the jews as Astaroth-invoking underground magicians. I still prefer the South Park episode where they worship Tron's computerized nemesis, but we're thankful this film exists on DVD.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu both look fine, but the truncated running times are such a strange decision. Both of these films would've fit on one side of a DVD also. Why make two DVDs when one would've been sufficient? The absence of the coloring was pleasurable to this viewer, but as DVD fanatics know, We want it the way the director intended! Well, as Elite were kind enough to hold each frame for 1/3 less than it was originally intended, I guess the coloring went by the wayside as well.

A smart idea for a collection, but a strange way to package and present it. Not bad if you don't have the latter two films each sold in their own individual packaging from other companies, and a nice big box for the shelf, with a nice 12-page booklet to boot.