E. Elias Mehrige's SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE explores the fictional premise that the star of director F.W. Murnau's 1922 German expressionist horror film, NOSFERATU, was an actual vampire. When the dictatorial Murnau (John Malkovich) sets about filming his monster masterpiece, he makes a Faustian deal and enlists the grotesque, reclusive Max Schreck (Willem Dafoe) to play the rodentlike Count Orlok. Schreck proceeds to both horrify and fascinate the unwitting cast and crew---including producer Albin Grau (Udo Kier), actor Gustav von Wangenheim (Eddie Izzard), and actress Greta Schroeder (Catherine McCormack)--who, at first, believe Schreck is merely an eccentric actor. As the production continues, however, mysterious accidents and deaths begin to reveal why Schreck never gets any makeup.

From its lavish opening sequence to Murnau's filming of the final scene, Mehrige's movie serves as a tribute not only to the original NOSFERATU but to the art of cinema itself. Because Murnau's project is a silent film, the overbearing director can coax and shout at his actors during the takes, making for some cleverly comical scenes. Although Malkovich, Izzard, and Kier are excellent in their roles, SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE could simply not exist without Dafoe's hideous and hilarious performance, which ranks among the finest of the versatile actor's career.

Theatrical release: December 29, 2000.
Expanded release: JANUARY 19, 2001
Wide release: JANUARY 26, 2001

SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE premiered at the Director's Fortnight of the Cannes International Film Festival 2000.

Filmed on location in Luxembourg.

SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE is director E. Elias Mehrige's second film, released almost 10 years after his first feature, BEGOTTEN.

The film's opening credit sequence features artwork by British illustrator John Goodinson. The images reveal the influences of cubism, art deco, and expressionism.

In a press release for the film, Willem Dafoe commented, "The most important research tool was the footage. The only thing I could find out about Max was that a biographer of Murnau said he was 'an actor of no distinction.' But the script was very strong, and we had the actual NOSFERATU film as a kind of touchstone and base. So much had to wait until I got into the prosthetic (the makeup). I didn't just have extreme makeup, but also a costume that was restricting. The shoes made me walk a particular way. The padding in the clothes also made me walk a particular way. It was great because it's a huge mask which frees you up so much."

Willem Dafoe was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture.

The Los Angeles Film Critics Association voted Dafoe Best Supporting Actor of 2000 for his performance.

Excerpt: "A native has wandered into my frame!"--F.W. Murnau (John Malkovich) to his film crew

"I'd like some makeup."--Max Schreck (Willem Dafoe)
"Well, you don't get any."--Murnau

"I feed...eratically."--Schreck

"How dare you destroy my photographer! Why not the script girl?"--Murnau to Schreck
"I'll eat her later."--Schreck

"I will finish my picture!"--Murnau
"This is hardly your picture any longer."--Schreck

"If it's not in frame, it doesn't exist."--Murnau

"I think we have it."--Murnau as he finishes the last reel of the film

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 - French
Additional Release Material:
Production Interview - 1. E. Elias Merhige - Director
2. Willem Dafoe - Star
3. Nicolas Cage - Producer
Audio Commentary - 1. E. Elias Merhige - Director
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. Bonus Trailer - BEGOTTEN
Making Of
Highlights
Text/Photo Galleries:
Stills/Photos - 1. Make-Up Application Montage
2. Production Scrapbook
Biographies - 1. Cast & Crew
Production Notes

John Malkovich: American Actor/Producer
Willem Dafoe: American Actor
Udo Kier: German actor, MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO
Cary Elwes: Actor/In USA
Catherine McCormack: Actress/"Loaded"
Eddie Izzard: British comic
Aden Gillett: Star, THE IMPRESSIONISTS (2006)

E. Elias Merhige: Director

Nicolas Cage: American Actor

Steven Katz: screenwriter

Dan Jones: Composer, MAX (2002)

"...A movie lover's movie....Dafoe's portrayal of vampire Schreck is remarkable -- frightening and funny and completely sui generis..."
"...[A] stylish pastiche....[Dafoe] gives a breathtaking performance..."
"...[A] delicious premise....[Dafoe's] exciting performance shades terrifying thirst with poignant, century-old tristesse..." -- Rating: B+
"...SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE stands witness to the enduring iconic potency of the great classics of the horror genre..."
"...Dafoe's Schreck combines crazy dignity, towering presence and an unstoppable blood lust to create the kind of presence you just don't see every day..."
"...The movie does an uncanny job of re-creating the visual feel of Murnau's film....The supporting cast is a curiously, intriguingly mixed bag..."