Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari. (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) (1920)
Average Rating: 9/10
Reviews Counted: 37
Fresh: 37 | Rotten: 0
This German Expressionist masterpiece makes great use of its chilling premise and stylized set design.
Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 4
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 0
This German Expressionist masterpiece makes great use of its chilling premise and stylized set design.
liked it
Average Rating: 4.1/5
User Ratings: 24,413
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Movie Info
In one of the most influential films of the silent era, Werner Krauss plays the title character, a sinister hypnotist who travels the carnival circuit displaying a somnambulist named Cesare (Conrad Veidt). In one tiny German town, a series of murders coincides with Caligari's visit. When the best friend of hero Francis (Friedrich Feher) is killed, the deed seems to be the outgrowth of a romantic rivalry over the hand of the lovely Jane (Lil Dagover). Francis suspects Caligari, but he is ignored
Feb 26, 1920 Wide
Oct 15, 1997
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Cast
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Werner Krauss
Dr. Caligari -
Conrad Veidt
Cesare -
Lil Dagover
Jane -
Friedrich Feher
Francis -
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Rudolf Lettinger
Dr. Olson -
Rudolf Klein-Rogge
A Criminal -
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All Critics (37) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (37) | Rotten (0) | DVD (7)
A case can be made that Caligari was the first true horror film.
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.
Robert Wiene has made perfect use of settings designed by Hermann Warm, Walter Reimann and Walter Roehrig, settings that squeeze and turn and adjust the eye and through the eye the mentality.
Undoubtedly one of the most exciting and inspired horror movies ever made.
Top CriticOne of the first -- and still one of the greatest -- psychological horror movies.
With its unusual look and neatly folding method of storytelling "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" is an artistically uninhibited silent horror film that still sends chills.
Pre-dating even early genre landmarks Nosferatu (1922) and Metropolis (1926) by some distance, Robert Wiene's silent film is both influential and one of a kind.
Even if taken as social or Freudian statement, Caligari's real star attraction is in the visuals.
still creepy good entertainment on a rainy day
A classic. Visually stunning and more experimental than anything coming out today.
The influence of Robert Wiene's Caligari is so great that it threatens to obscure the work itself.
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.
One of those rare, amazing technical accomplishments that also succeeds as art.
Wiene's expressionistic masterpiece is required viewing for lovers of the gothic and the weird.
A landmark of Expressionist cinema and contains many dazzling set pieces.
Audience Reviews for Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari. (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari)
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Jane: We who are of noble blood may not follow the wishes of our hearts.
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Foreign Titles
- Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari (DE)
- Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari (UK)
