In flashback, freaked-out Friedrich Feher (as Francis) tells the surrealistic story of when the carnival came to his small German town of Holstenwall. The fair's main attraction is weird Werner Krauss (as Dr. Caligari), who hawks his "somnambulist" (sleepwalker) act. The menacing Mr. Krauss "awakens" creepy Conrad Veidt (as Cesare) from a 25-year sleep, for the viewing pleasure of carnival attendees. Otherwise, Mr. Veidt is kept in a coffin-like cabinet, in Krauss' trailer.
Mr. Feher attends the carnival show's "awakening" of Veidt with pal Heinz von Twardowski (as Alan). Krauss tells the crowd that the mysterious Veidt "knows the past, and sees into the future." So, Mr. von Twardowski asks, "How long do I have to live?" Veidt tells the him he dies at dawn! - and, sure enough, a shadowy figure murders the man.
Feher thinks the somnambulist is the serial killer threatening the village (a town clerk was the first victim). But, some think Feher knifed his friend, a rival for the affections of dark beauty Lil Dagover (as Jane), but why would Feher kill the clerk? When a completely new killer is caught red-handed, it seems like everybody wants to get into the act
"The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" is one of the most outstanding film productions of the silent era. The "Art Direction / Set Direction" - by Hermann Warm, Walter Röhrig, and Walter Reimann - so beautifully photographed and directed, should be counted among the best designed of any era. The film is inspirational.
********** Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari. (2/26/20) Robert Wiene ~ Werner Krauss, Friedrich Feher, Conrad Veidt, Lil Dagover
Mr. Feher attends the carnival show's "awakening" of Veidt with pal Heinz von Twardowski (as Alan). Krauss tells the crowd that the mysterious Veidt "knows the past, and sees into the future." So, Mr. von Twardowski asks, "How long do I have to live?" Veidt tells the him he dies at dawn! - and, sure enough, a shadowy figure murders the man.
Feher thinks the somnambulist is the serial killer threatening the village (a town clerk was the first victim). But, some think Feher knifed his friend, a rival for the affections of dark beauty Lil Dagover (as Jane), but why would Feher kill the clerk? When a completely new killer is caught red-handed, it seems like everybody wants to get into the act
"The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" is one of the most outstanding film productions of the silent era. The "Art Direction / Set Direction" - by Hermann Warm, Walter Röhrig, and Walter Reimann - so beautifully photographed and directed, should be counted among the best designed of any era. The film is inspirational.
********** Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari. (2/26/20) Robert Wiene ~ Werner Krauss, Friedrich Feher, Conrad Veidt, Lil Dagover