Cinematic Spaces Film Reviews: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), is considered to be one of the most influential silent horror films to be made. Directed by Robert Wiene, the film used quirky and strange settings and scenes to help create ambiance and tension throughout the film to help the audience react with the horror aspect. Although the film is in black and white, the use of different shades and intensities of light helps to create different dynamics in the scenes and helps to emphasise the different moods throughout the film.

‘Cagliari’s Expressionist style ultimately led to the dark shadows and sharp angles of the film noir urban crime dramas of the 1940s’ (Erikson,2010)

Fig 1

Figure 1 works well to show what Hal Erikson was saying about the sets and scenes used in the film. Wiene wanted to create a surreal yet horror related set that would help to create and carry the tension of the film and capture the audience’s attention; the use of jagged edges and sharp shading created an edgy and horror-type setting. Wiene also managed to create a set that allowed them to create some interesting camera shots, as shown in figure 1, the use of walling and shapes helps to frame certain scenes and gives the film a certain theatrical feel.

‘In particular, in many scenes, the shadows were actually painted onto the set, such that, in certain scenes, the shadows lie in direct defiance of natural lighting.’ (Merriam, 2008)

Fig 2

One of the other notable aspects of the scenes and sets used in Caligari was the odd use of shadowing that was painted onto the floors and walls of the set pieces. Much like Julia Merriam said, they were painted in a way that was in direct defiance of natural lighting; whilst the natural shadows were evident from lighting used for the film, the painted shadows never wavered or changed; they created a sense of depth to each set and exaggerated just how big the sets were to create a much more spacious and eerie looking area.

‘Verticality is rare in Cabinet; its buildings rest at steep angles, as though they are leaning. It’s streets wind and weaves in organic fashion.’ (Edwards, 2010)

Fig 3

Figure 3 shows all the aspects of the set design brought into one final image; the use of jagged shapes to create odd looking buildings and create a set that would intrigue and capture the audience’s attention whilst adding to the dynamics of the film; the use of contrasting lights to create an almost silhouetted figure stood atop the building to help build the tension and suspense of the film. It was Wiene’s unique set designs and lighting structures that create a film that is still regarded as the beginning of horror films and his influences can be seen throughout various set designs and structures. 

Review Bibliography 

Quotes:

Hal Erickson (2010). In: http://www.rottentomatoes.com [online] At: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1003361-cabinet_of_dr_caligari/  (Accessed on 20/9/12)

 Julia Merriam (2008). In:  http://classic-horror.com [online] At: http://classic-horror.com/reviews/cabinet_of_dr_caligari_1920 (Accessed on 30/9/12)

Chris Edwards (2010). In:  http://silent-volume.blogspot.co.uk [online] At: - http://silent-volume.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/cabinet-of-dr-caligari-1920.html (Accessed on 30/9/12) 

Images:

Film Still 1 (Fig 1) 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPFG2IBUzgq9et8IGoCjZ_dYhjnz2mvIDnqb3GpTL3AtVTK2pBwDjYYlvEPLmYFh9UUEDmTO6VgYa5mExQL_PAqI1Dh1TigLCxRgAuqKbGeTXCPYVy38auC112_CN3RFEmF5XEsHDV0c5/s400/caligari_still1%5B1%5D.jpg

Film Still 2 (Fig 2)  http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mayk1rZEuI1rvh840o1_1280.jpg

Film Still 3 (Fig 3)  - http://i2.listal.com/image/553758/936full-the-cabinet-of-dr.-caligari-screenshot.jpg