The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

Initial release: 1920 (Poland)

Director: Robert Wiene

Cinematography: Willy Hameister

Screenplay: Carl Mayer, Hans Janowitz

Story by: Carl Mayer, Hans Janowitz

Types of German Expressionist techniques i identified in the film:

stylized set design: the set used in this film are mainly painted back drops and prop sets no on location shooting is really done for this film. the sets all have weird curves and angles to the structures and sets are painted with curved lines to accentuate the gloomy feel of the film.The outdoor sets and building in general all seem to be as-cue and lean at an angle.

shadowy lighting: is very much present in the film to both accentuate the sets darker corners and create a gloom and depressing feel through the film it is clearly seen in scene  with Cesare to bring out the sense of danger and mystery he instills in the film.

Unnatural Makeup & elaborate costume design: 

both Dr. Caligari and Cesare wore a huge amount of makeup to mainly on here lips and around their eyes but Dr. Caligari seemed to have something in his hair to create this 3 line pattern through the top of his scalp.

as for costumes most of the main characters wore very elaborate costumes cesares looked like a full black leather suit and Jane Olsen always being portrayed in all white to show her purity.

My opinion of the fill is the premise is interesting but not well executed there are a lot of point where i was lost by the sudden jump in the story and started to loose interest while the film built up to the climax.But the ending i did find quite good it was a unexpected twist that did help to bring the film together and close it off with well and leave a pondering question in the audience with the whole insane asylum reveal. I would recommend this film from an artistic view the high contrast artstyle of the set is very well done and in my opinion is most interesting part  of the film but Would i recommend this film from a general story or entertainment point of view? No i feel there are modern versions of this film that tell a far better story with the same basic theme a great example of this is shutter island it covers the same themes of mental instability with a far more engaging premise that creates a very suspenseful story.