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Movies / On DVD / The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

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The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919)

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Reviews Counted: 31

Fresh: 31

Rotten:0

Average Rating: 8.9/10

Consensus: This German Expressionist masterpiece makes great use of its chilling premise and stylized set design.

Runtime: 1 hr 31 mins

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Synopsis: In this silent, classic example of early German expressionism, this cinematic landmark relates the stylized tale of a Dr. Caligari, a fairground showman who hypnotizes an innocent villager--turning... In this silent, classic example of early German expressionism, this cinematic landmark relates the stylized tale of a Dr. Caligari, a fairground showman who hypnotizes an innocent villager--turning him into a sleepwalking "zombie"--and compels him to carry out fiendish murders. Inarguably a landmark in world cinema, Robert Weine's one-of-a-kind thriller features fantastical, heavily stylized sets, antirealist acting, and evocative subjective camerawork. [More]

Starring: Conrad Veidt, Werner Krauss

Starring: Conrad Veidt, Werner Krauss

Director: Robert Wiene

Director: Robert Wiene

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Release:

Jul 21, 1998

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • The film that forged the dark, ominous cinematic movement known as German Expressionism--and influenced vanguard filmmakers for generations--regains its original, electrifying authority in this definitive presentation. Werner Krauss stars as a deranged hypnotist who spreads death through the countryside from a ramshackle traveling carnival. Before the naive eyes of the townspeople, he unveils the contents of his coffin-like cabinet: Cesare (Conrad Veidt), a spidery sleepwalker who obeys his every command. But at night, once the crowds have dispersed, Caligari lifts the lid on darker intentions, unleashing the dreadful Cesare to act upon his master's murderous whims and carnal desires. Director Robert Wiene and his designers combined techniques of painting, theatre and film to conjure a nightmare world of splintered reality, boldly creating a visual representation of insanity.
  • Source: Image Entertainment, Inc.
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    Reviews for The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    A classic. Visually stunning and more experimental than anything coming out today.

    comment Comment
    01/17/08
    Beth Accomando
    KPBS.org

    The influence of Robert Wiene's Caligari is so great that it threatens to obscure the work itself.

    Full Review Source: Projection Booth | comment Comment
    10/24/07
    Rob Humanick
    Projection Booth

    A seminal horror movie, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was hailed upon its initial release as the first film to elevate the cinema from the realm of popular entertainment to that of high art.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    08/13/07
    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    This is more than just a textbook classic; the narrative frame creates ambiguities that hold certain elements of the story in disturbing suspension. A one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
    08/13/07
    Jonathan Rosenbaum
    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    One of those rare, amazing technical accomplishments that also succeeds as art.

    Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
    03/01/07
    Frank Lovece
    Film Journal International

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    03/09/06
    Jake Euker
    F5 (Wichita, KS)

    Undoubtedly one of the most exciting and inspired horror movies ever made.

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    02/09/06
    Time Out

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    11/07/05
    Cole Smithey
    ColeSmithey.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    07/22/05
    Thomas Delapa
    Boulder Weekly

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    06/17/05
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    Wiene's expressionistic masterpiece is required viewing for lovers of the gothic and the weird.

    comment Comment
    02/02/05
    Rob Vaux
    Flipside Movie Emporium

    No review available.

    comment 1 Comment
    11/18/04
    Mark R. Leeper
    rec.arts.movies.reviews

    A landmark of Expressionist cinema and contains many dazzling set pieces.

    Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
    11/01/04
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Combustible Celluloid

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    03/28/04
    Frank Swietek
    One Guy's Opinion

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    03/24/04
    Jon Niccum
    Lawrence Journal-World

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    01/23/04
    Carol Cling
    Las Vegas Review-Journal

    well crafted mystery thriller that is far more satisfying than most modern Hollywood formula fare

    Full Review Source: Old School Reviews | comment Comment
    01/23/04
    John A. Nesbit
    Old School Reviews

    Groundbreaking, but less a good film than a good idea for one.

    comment Comment
    09/18/03
    Ken Hanke
    Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

    Set a standard for creepiness that has never been matched.

    comment Comment
    07/20/03
    Nell Minow
    Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

    A cinema landmark, alternately dull and shocking.

    comment Comment
    05/02/03
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    San Francisco Examiner
     
     
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