REEL CRITICS

Willem Dafoe shines in ‘Shadow’

As soon as the opening credits began, I knew I was in for a rare

treat. The luscious sepia-toned art deco designs set the time, place and

mood for this tale from the early days of cinema.

“Shadow of the Vampire,” set in the German Expressionist era of the

early 1920s, purports to tell the story of the filming of the classic

silent horror film “Noseferatu.” John Malkovich stars as the German

director F.W. Murnau, but Willem Dafoe steals the show as the “actor” who

plays Max Schreck, the actor who originated the role of Nosferatu, the

vampire.

Now, it seems, we are to discover why no one else has ever portrayed a

vampire with such chilling realism. Unbeknownst to anyone else involved

in filming “Nosferatu,” Murnau has made a deal with a real vampire to

play the role. He is to be paid, not with money, but with . . . well,

that would give too much away.

This much I will gladly reveal: This delightful film has much to

offer. For real cinema buffs, there is a chance to go behind the camera

for a look at the early days of filmmaking. For vampire fans, there is

Dafoe’s absolutely flawless performance.

There is wonderful humor, mostly stemming from Dafoe’s Schreck, whose

creepiness is mixed with equal amounts of fiendish glee at the unexpected

feast set before him. I would never call myself a great fan of the horror

genre, but Dafoe’s performance is irresistible.

“Shadow of the Vampire” is directed by E. Elias Merhige. The only

other film credited to him in my current list of films on video [and

online at the Internet Movie Database, https://www.imdb.com] is the 1991

horror film “Begotten,” which is described as “not for the squeamish.”

I’m glad Merhige decided to lighten up on the horror and go for the

humor.

“Shadow of the Vampire” is rated R.

* JUNE FENNER, a Costa Mesa resident in her late 50s, is vice

president of a work force training company.

A ‘Shadow’ makes him smile

“Nosferatu” is probably cinema’s greatest vampire film. While many

subsequent films, such as the Universal films of the 1930s and Frank

Langella’s portrayal of the count in the 1970s, have enriched the Dracula

legend, none have equaled the original terror and awe “Nosferatu” induced

when it was originally released.

The star of “Nosferatu” was a German theater actor named Max Schreck.

Not much is known about him. He never made another film. In “Shadow of

the Vampire,” director E. Elias Merhige and screenwriter Steven Katz

suggest that Schreck was in fact a vampire and that the director F.W.

Murnau knew.

“Shadow of the Vampire” recreates the filming of the vampire classic

and the fictional behind-the-scenes drama that played out between the

director, leading actors, producers and numerous writers who contributed

to the film’s success.

Willem Dafoe portrays Schreck and John Malkovich portrays Murnau.

Murnau promises Schreck the blood of the leading lady Greta (Catherine

McCormack) if he completes the film. During filming, the movie is plagued

with a string of bad-luck incidents, or are they?

The film is highly enjoyable as Schreck is portrayed as cinema’s first

real “diva,” whose unreasonable demands contribute to the film’s

difficult shoot.

Dafoe as Schreck is simply amazing. Original scenes from “Nosferatu”

are intercut with this film, and the resemblance, mannerisms and all of

the technical similarities are amazing.

Both Dafoe and Malkovich relish their roles as they know they are

being filmed and observed; there is no ignoring of the camera in this

film. Dafoe’s and Malkovich’s acknowledgment of the camera contributes to

the overall success of the film.

“Shadow of the Vampire” is rated R.

* ROB OROZCO, 29, is an attorney who lives in Newport Beach with his

wife and two cats.