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May 16, 2002
Max Schreck
Visionary director F.W. Murnau (John Malkovich) decided that the only way to do a vampire movie justice would be to have a real vampire play the lead. Ladies and gentlemen, Max Schreck.
This unknown from the shadows ascended to take the role of Count Orlak in Nosferatu, Murnau's own version of a blood-sucker movie (since he wasn't allowed to make Dracula). For the sake of realism and - supposedly - to satisfy the "actor's demands," Murnau stated that the mysterious Max Schreck would shoot his scenes only at night and would remain in character at all times.
Indeed, Schreck creeped out the entire cast and crew, including the camera man who went mad. That was, of course, because he was a real vampire. The production limped toward completion anyway, with Murnau riding everyone to their doom, including Greta - making the ultimate actress' sacrifice - and Schreck himself, who like every actor, ended up getting used by the director. Ultimately, Schreck was just another actor who played the part he was hired to play, and when the movie was over, he was simply left in the dust.
INTELLIGENCE - 6: His plans to seduce Greta were simple but certainly not fool-proof.
POWER - 6: Vampires are notoriously strong, but this old, frail vampire only possessed above-average human strength.
VILENESS - 7: Besides sucking the blood out of his victims, he also gave everyone the willies.
SWAY - 4: Schreck's weakest point was conversing with others. It's no wonder he let his stares and glares do all the talking for him.
PURITY - 9: His obsession with Greta was tireless, but it consumed him and led to his downfall.
PHYSICAL - 10: Forget a dark alley - you wouldn't want to run into this guy anywhere!
TOTAL: 42
Posted by Destro at May 16, 2002 12:20 AM