Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

I would also encourage you to buy the Kino DVD of NOSFERATU. It's restored from an entirely different source than the Image and in a different way. You won't believe the differences. You might also want to give Kino's boxes a try, The Masterworks of German Horror box-set or the Murnau box-set. Kino achieves an extremely high standard with these sets, and you won't be disappointed.

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

Hmmm...I was just about to order the Kino one, but the John Sinott review really trashes the music scores. Are they as bad as he says they are? I rather like the default music score on the Image disc. While I would like to see the better print quality and framing on the Kino version, I wonder of the music score(s) might piss me off too much to enjoy the film?

I taped a version off public TV about 25 years ago that had an interesting modern sort of score that I wish had made it to DVD. I pulled that tape out recently to look at it, but no credit was given for the score (or else I failed to tape the credit).

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

If you can play PAL discs, you should get hold of the BFI-released Kevin Brownlow version, scored by James Bernard.

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

You worry too much.
Most people prefer those scores.
The transfer is superior to the Image DVD and all other versions.
Buy the Kino.


I hadn't heard about this edition with the Hammer composer.

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

The 'Masters of Cinema' series from Eureka is prepping a 'definitive' version in R2 - a few preparatory (and mouth-watering) screenshots and snippets of detail here.

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

Thanks for the link, John.

Those screenshots look terrific. It'll be great to hear the original Erdmann score, as well.

Any idea when this one's going to be released?

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

No indication other than MoC have it as a 2007 release. I think they'll pull out all the stops on this one.

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

Kino's still looks the best. DVD Beaver has an excellent comparison--really the Image version can't even compare in terms of video quality, and Kino has the longer, more complete version. I thought that maybe the Kino was a bit dark but this is closer to the way the film was supposed to look--he Image one has a horrible artificial brightness to it. Also, the screens of that upcoming R2 release look poor comapred to the R1 Kino: there is a common screenshot of Orlock standing in the doorway--the new R2 looks soft and undetailed, whereas in the Kino you can see the grain of the wood, details on the wall, and its just overall much sharper. I haven't watched the Image but based on the screenshots I would never even want to. Kino seems to be by far the best option for the film; sad that theres no extras but even the Image disk really only has a commentary.

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

Those screenshots (and any screenshot never tells the whole story), as stated in that thread, are not from MoC's finished encode.

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

I fail to see any use in posting screenshots then. In any case, those screens are so soft that I would think improved encoding would offer only negligable improvements; hopefully such softness is due to screenshot resizing, but again what is the point in offering us any glimpses then.

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

They're a useful guide to what you may or may not see on your setup; however, they aren't gospel.


We'll just have to wait and see.


It's titillation, anticipation, marketing. It's coming; here's a glimpse, get your wallet ready. You happy with what you have? That's great; ignore it.

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

What footage does the Kino have that other versions don't?

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

I shelled out the $14 or so for the Kino Nosferatu. No, I needn't have worried about the music, which is at least as good as the Image version-probably better, as it allows the horror of the images to take precedence. The Image score tries a little too hard to "help" the film.

The picture quality is better, IMO in the Kino version than the stills suggest. Or rather, the Image version is a lot worse. For one thing, the Image version looks to me as if it has been edge-enhanced to death. There is already a halo effect in many scenes of the film due to the lighting. It did not need extra halo-ing from EE. A good scene for comparison IMO is the dinner scene with Hutter and Orlok, where Orlok menacingly pursues Hutter after he cuts himself. Look at the shots with the fireplace as the background to see how much more natural the picture is in the Kno version. Also, the tinting is more atmospheric, and tones down the over-bright quality that is present in the Image disc. The already mentioned shot where Orlok rises from the coffin on the ship cannot be stressed enough. Having that shot with all of Orlok's head in the frame makes a huge difference. And the green tint is more appropriate.


I have been slowly making my way through a comparison of the two DVDs in order to see what footage is "new". So far, I have gotten through the scene where Orlok appears in the doorway to Hutter's room. Some of the time differences may be due to slightly different projection speeds, and additional title cards in the Kino version (End of Act One, etc). However, there is some additional footage in the scene in which Hutter says goodbye to Ellen before leaving on his trip.

I will note any more additional footage I discover. I tend to do this near the end of the day, and I tend to get sleepy, because, as Walter Kerr discovered while writing The Silent Clowns-watching silent films is somewhat tiring. As it is all visual, it requires more energy and attention span than a sound film.

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

Does this mean you're glad you bought it?

What do you think of the tints and the corrected intertitles?
Wouldn't you say these are an improvement from other editions?
Isn't the Kindo an overall better viewing experience?

Re: Do I need any other versions of Nosferatu?

Sorry, I thought I was clear. Yes, the Kino is far better than the Image version. The only reason to have the Image version is for the commentary and the feature in which they take the carriage ride and reverse print it to show how Murnau draped horses and rider in white so they'd appear as black in the negative print.

Framing, print quality, tinting and intertitles are all superb in the Kino version.