The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari Analysis

“The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” was the most significant German silent films directed by Robert Weine in 1919. The characters that acted in this film were Werner krauss as Dr. Caligari, Conrad Veidt as Cesare, Friedrich Feher as Francis, Lil Dagover as Jane Olsen, and Hans Heinrich von Twardowski as Alan. The music done by Giuseppe Becce had a tremendous impact on this film because it brings out the horrific intensity throughout the film. This film entails a stunning success of German Expressionism as the first true horror silent film of the early ninety’s. Additionally, this silent film has a tremendous storyline where it is based on brutal murders that occurred frequently in a North German town. It included five main characters namely: Cesare,

The canvas, onto which lights and shadows were casted, gave a great colour effect. “The story lines of German expressionist films matched the visuals in terms of darkness and disillusionment.” (German expressionism: the world of light and shadow by kolar). Several of the characters were dressed deeply in make-up. Alan’s character was disguised with white make-up to avoid revealing his true identity. Cesare and Dr. Caligari were clad with make-up; around their eyes were outline in black eyeliner, lips were highlighted with black lipstick and their eyebrows were darken with eye shadow. Without the characters talking in their roles, the make-up let the onlooker’s intellect without the use of words. “The movements of Caligari depict him as an old mischievous miser. Cesare 's slow movements, which are void of expression, convey his characteristics of a vile somnambulist. Even the backdrops are painted and add to the expression of the characters and the scenes.” (THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI student journal entries Geeta

Using facial expression and body language represents the horror that the actors and actresses in the scene experiences. This is vital as the fear the actors and actresses produce, it captures the audience interest and makes them feel a sense of fear as well. Additionally, movement of the cast replicates horror, a sense of nervousness and extreme anxiety. Facial expression is the key in creating this horror silent film as the storyline is related to the audience via facial expressions. Without proper use of facial expressions for the scene, the audience would not depict the storyline since facial expressions tells the story as it is a silent film. In the scene, when Cesare was approaching Alan his facial expression gave way to fear which tells that he was under attack. Also, his body movement was jittery as he trembled in fear. His eyes opened wider establishing a connection to the level of fear to which he was experiencing at that moment of the scene. In addition Alan’s mouth was wide opened struck with fear of his death and horrified beyond control. According to Roman orator Cicero, “The face is the image of the Soul.” “By this he meant that feelings and emotions are often reflected on the face and can be read through specific expressions.” (Facial Expressions and its Importance in Photography by Boaz Eapen on December2, 2014 in Photography