Pwaters' Month of Terror Day 14: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

Hello ladies, gentlemen, and creatures lurking in the shadows!  This month, October, is a favorite among horror fans, such as myself.  My goal for the next 31 days is to share with you the scariest and best of the genre.  The films will range from old school classics to modern day gorefests (they won't be in any particular order).  So scout these movies out, grab a bag of popcorn (or a blood bag) and enjoy!

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
Dir. Robert Wiene

Yes, folks - we're not just going old-school, we're going oldest school with one of the first horror movies ever made!  The plot is told through a narrator, recalling recent events to an older man. The story is pretty simple: a streetside 'carny act' (I guess you'd call him) is hosted by a short, spectacled man named Caligari. His partner is a sleepwalking "zombie" type character that must obey his every command, including murder!  The story has a few twists and turns, but what's made Dr. Caligari stand the test of time is its striking style.  Part of the German Expressionistic movement of the early 1920's, the film uses strange, flat, obtuse-looking pieces of scenery and sharp corners as a way of distorting the world in a very dark and artistic way.  One reason why this choice was made was because Germany's economy in post-WWI was lacking and the painted backdrops were an economical choice, but it definitely works to the film's advantage.

Despite its age, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is still unnerving to watch.  Unlike certain silent films which can sometimes be a chore to watch, this one is still fairly gripping from beginning to end (the story and dialogue are sparse so all you really need are the visuals anyway).  Caligari's influence can still be seen today, ninety years later.  Tim Burton's work (especially Edward Scissorhands) definitely borrows from its look and tone, and many musical artists, including the singer/horror director Rob Zombie, have been inspired by it for their music videos (Zombie's 'Living Dead Girl' music video is a re-creation of scenes from this film).  Even though it's old and may not be the type of movie you pop in on a Friday night, it's a fascinating piece of horror history and still is pretty creepy.