Das Cabinet Des Dr. Caligari
Expressionistic horror classic by Robert Wiene about a hypnotist who, with his assistant Cesare, appears to play a role in a series of murders in the village of Holstenwall.
Francis visits a fair with his friend Alan. He encounters the mysterious Doctor Caligari who claims that his hypnotised assistant Cesare can answer any question put to him. Alan asks Cesare how long he has left to live. Cesare tells him that he will be dead in the morning, a prediction that comes true. After the death of his friend, Francis decides to investigate.
DAS CABINET DES DR. CALIGARI is considered the quintessential work of German Expressionist cinema, a film movement from the 1920s. In these films, the psyche of the protagonist is reflected in the physical world. The themes of the films were often dark and the films stood out for their visual style, with a strong contrast between light and dark and threatening shadows that, in the case of this film, were painted directly onto the set. Actors played in a very physical style, with large dramatic gestures. Producer Erich Pommer intended Fritz Lang to direct, but as he was not available, the directing job was given to Robert Wiene.
This is a film from the holdings of the Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung (www.murnau-stiftung.de) in Wiesbaden.