In 1921, German impressionist filmmaker F.W. Murnau was denied permission to lens his version of Bram Stoker's DRACULA by the writer's widow. This legal hiccup didn't stop Murnau; he changed the Count's name to "Orlac" and made one of the silent eras greatest horror films- NOSFERATU. The lead actor portraying Orlac was by all accounts a strange man named Max Schreck, who had never appeared in a film before. Rumor was, Schreck was an actual vampire! Modern director E. Elias Merhige picks up this legend and crafts SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE, the "real" story behind NOSFERATU.

The movie opens with Murnau hard at work on NOSFERATU, filming his actors in his German studio. As the production company readied to film on location in Czechoslovak, Murnau soothes lead actress Greta's concerns by assuring her "movies are art that will live forever." It's obvious he will let nothing stand in the way of lensing his artistic "vision." The cast and producers are curious as to who will play the pivotal part of Count Orlac, the vampire. Lead actor Gustav claims it's one "Max Schreck", who will be so totally immersed in his character that he will only appear and behave as Orlac while the film is in production. (a silent-era DeNiro!) When the crew arrives in the Balkans, the locals are very superstitious and afraid, but Murnau is insistent that moviemakers are "scientists creating memories" and production will go on as scheduled.

On the first night of shooting at Orlac's castle, Gustav is terrified when Schreck makes a sudden appearance; Murnau is ecstatic and states he would have done anything to capture Gustav's genuine terror. After the shoot, Orlac retreats back into the castle; Murnau's cameraman Wolf suddenly falls ill. During shooting the next day, Schreck arrives on set, but shows he is at best an amateur actor. Murnau doesn't care - he's more interested in the general creepy atmosphere surrounding Schreck and the crew's reactions to him. When Gustav cuts his finger during a scene, Schreck attacks at the sight of blood. Murnau dresses him down for destroying part of the set, but not for his reaction to the injury. When Wolf's "illness' forces him back to Germany, Murnau confronts Schreck and calls him an idiot for attacking the cameraman. Schreck is unfazed and makes demands on the director; Murnau acquiesces as long as Schreck stays away from his crew. When Schreck speaks condescendingly to Murnau, The German reminds him that he can harm Schreck - Schreck asks how the director can harm him when he cannot even harm himself.

The crew builds a ship on the castle grounds to appease Schreck. One night, producer Grau and writer Galeen are sitting and drinking schnapps on the set when Schreck appears. The actor tells them he read "Dracula" and found it sad that Dracula had no servants - it is insulting for a creature of his stature. When asked, Schreck reveals he is "too old" to make any more vampires. Grau and Galeen are impressed by the way Schreck remains in character, or so they believe. Murnau continues production at a furious rate with new cameraman Fritz. Greta finally arrives on location on a desolate island, much to Schreck's delight. That night, Schreck goes to the crew's lodging to see her, but Greta gets high on morphine and is locked tight in her room. Grau and Fritz go to see Murnau, and discover he has also taken drugs. The stoned director admits there is no "Max Schreck"; when he scouted locations he found a real vampire for the film. The payment for Count Orlac's "service" is to be Greta. Grau and Fritz realize they are trapped on the island with a monster. Will the crew survive the threat of a real vampire in their midst? And, more importantly, will Murnau be able to finish his great celluloid vision?

For all of you who have seen the great silent movie NOSFERATU, SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE is a stunning and satisfying homage to that great work. Director Merhige recreates scenes from the original movie (in black and white) with the twist that we the audience are now watching them as they're being filmed. It's really neat. The cast is perfect; John Malkovich hits the right notes as the obsessed Murnau and Willem Dafoe is uncanny as "Max Schreck" (he was nominated for an Academy Award, deservedly so.) Udo Kier and a subdued Eddie Izzard are very good in their supporting roles as Grau and Gustav as well. The story keeps you guessing till the end if Schreck is actually a real vampire, or just one disturbed actor. Even when Murnau admits he's real, you still have doubts if the director is being truthful about his vampire lead, or just straining to create the most realistic horror film he can. The whole atmosphere Merhige sets up really does (pardon the pun) suck you in. The set work is extremely accurate and authentic. Any genre fan should make sure they watch this well crafted and very clever tale of one man's obsession and another's damnation.

Lion's Gate has just reissued SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE, which was originally a Universal film. Like it's predecessor, the Lion's Gate DVD features commentary by director E. Elias Merhige and a gallery of production stills. However, the new DVD includes interviews with Willem Dafoe and Merhige and a series of trailers for other Lion's Gate reissues. The original Universal disc had an interview with producer Nicholas Cage and a making-of featurette (which I would have loved to see, alas.). The picture quality is very good - I watched a VHS copy of SHADOW and it was just muddy, but the DVD is much clearer. The audio is Dolby 5.1 - very distinct and clean.

Go watch the 1922 NOSFERATU, then watch SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE. It's a double feature that can't miss! It's movies like SHADOW that give me a reason to believe intelligent, and yet scary, horror films can still be produced and accepted by a mainstream audience who would never see a "slasher" flick (although we all love 'em, right kids?!) This is one heck of a film. Good night Max Schreck, wherever, and whatever, you are!!!