Film Review - Robert Wiene's "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (1920)

Fig. 1 - The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari Movie Poster

It is no surprise that Robert Wiene’s, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (also known as Das Cabinet Des Dr. Caligari, 1920) has been noted as the pinnacle of creative art house film. Essentially, it was this film that started the development of the film industry and allowed it to become what we know as this extravagant fantasy world. As one of the most influential films within the Silent Era, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a German Expressionist, silent, black and white film produced within the 1920’s.

The film portrays that of a psychological theme, touching into the horror genre, displaying what is now known as the first “classic twist” towards the end of the film, which would be assumed as rather disturbing within the 1920’s. The ending could have caused the audience to question themselves, second guessing their own choices in what they thought they knew. The dramatised expressions and the dance-like movements displayed by the actors emphasises the impact of the situation within the scene. For example, as Cesare carries Jane away over many jagged terrains, the villagers become this sort of mad, bustling mob with flailing arms and quick paced movements.

Fig. 2 - Cesare carrying Jane over the rooftops

The camera shots were vital to setting the scene, so to speak. “Wiene is fond of the iris shot, which opens or closes upon a scene like an eye.” Due to this artistic direction, the opening and closing of the ‘eye’ conveys that the audience is blinking into the next scene, the catch being that they have a sense what is going on whereas the characters may not, like an exclusive secret that is about to be revealed. Wiene would also tend to create close up shots of each characters, allowing the audience to decipher the character, and see them for who they are.

Fig. 3 - Cesare creeping through the streets at night

The weird and twisted atmosphere of the surroundings of the characters are notably some of the most expressionistic sets to have been made. In true German Expressionist style, “most of the set (designed and implemented by Hermann Warm, Walter Röhrig, and Walter Reimann) is a two-dimensional backdrop constructed of paint on flat canvas. The image of three-dimensional people walking through this starkly two-dimensional world is disorienting, making the universe within Caligari seem slightly off-kilter.”

Although Wiene’s “Caligari” may not be the most extravagant of affairs, it is certainly a memorable one. “Not only does provide an engaging visual experience, unlike any other, it offers something few other films can – the background and foundation to better understand and appreciate those films that followed in its footsteps.” To what is stated to be the origin of horror itself, Robert Wiene’s, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari certainly set an impression upon it’s viewing audience, not only surprising us with the extensive artistic background and tremendous effort put towards production, but it differs from other films, showing how collaboration between art and film can become a masterpiece within itself.

Bibliography:

Ebert, R (June 3rd, 2009) http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-cabinet-of-dr-caligari-1920 (Accessed on 26/09/14)

Merriam, J (October 13th, 2008) http://classic-horror.com/reviews/cabinet_of_dr_caligari_1920 (Accessed on 26/09/14)

Images:

Fig. 1 - Wiene, R, http://www.imdb.com/media/rm4144485376/tt0010323?ref_=tt_ov_i# (Accessed on 26/09/14)

Fig. 2 - Wiene, R, http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2013577472/tt0010323?ref_=ttmi_mi_all_sf_7 (Accessed on 26/09/14)

Fig. 3 - Wiene, R, http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1124385024/tt0010323?ref_=ttmi_mi_all_sf_5 (Accessed on 26/09/14)