The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

• It really doesn’t get better than this. I think you could take every film from the 2020’s, and only a few would be better than this. It’s so cool seeing what Roger Ebert called “the first true horror film”. This was made before horror was a defined genre, so using those elements to create one of the first horror experiences is definitely something to remember. It’s so masterfully crafted and I’m glad it’s available to the public (there was a lot of mystery with the copies and whether any existed). It’s very entertaining with a lot of different themes melting together. There’s horror, of course, a good deal of noir, a big splash of macabre, and several thrilling moments. Granted, it was released in 1920, so a lot of it is very over the top and theatrical. Watching it over a hundred years after it was made is a lot different from watching it a hundred years ago. But I can imagine how an audience might’ve felt back then. Even now, I was completely enthralled by it, and my eyes were locked in the whole time. Despite the simplicity, there’s so much to see. The story captivates you and uses a relatable and classic setting to draw you in. Then the mystery and horror picks up and it’s a ride until the end. The production design was insanely good, especially considering the circumstances when this was made (they had very small stages to work with everything). The sets perfectly project the mood and tone, and make it whimsical, fantastical, and above all, out of this world. Lastly, the performances were all really good, with the use of facial expressions to really communicate to the audience. The makeup on the actors made everyone their own person, and helped build this mysterious world. It’s truly a nearly perfect film. I can definitely see myself liking it even more on a rewatch. All I will leave you with is that silent horror is true horror. This film is officially Berry Approved, so go check it out now!