The Cabinet of Dr Caligrari is an early German Expressionist film by prominent film director Robert Wiene.
I first watched the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari two years ago during my A-Level film studies, I have always admired the use of colour so early in film to convey emotion. Particularly the scene in which Cesare tries to steal Jane from her bedroom, the haunting beauty of Janes white nightdress against the blue night light is striking and captivating for the audience. The film's deep connection to expressionist theatre at the time is interesting with the painted shadows and theatrical movements of Cesare's character creating a strange world that feels both familiar to the audience and completely unusual and unsettling.
The film is slow at times but the final twist at the end is interesting. Creating a twist ending that would continue to be seen in films for the next century of cinema, particularly reminding me of the Martin Scorsese film Shutter Island.
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