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    About This Item

    Unique ID Code: 0000018859
    Added by: DVD Reviewer
    Added on: 2/6/2001 12:29
    View Changes

    Shadow of the Vampire (US)

    6 / 10
    1 vote cast
    Rate this item
    Inline Image

    Holds you in its icy grip from start to finish
    Certificate: R
    Running Time: 93 mins
    Retail Price: $26.98
    Release Date:

    Synopsis:
    John Malkovich and Academy Award® nominee Willem Dafoe star in a riveting suspense thriller about an obsessive director who`s so consumed with making the most realistic vampire movie ever, he`s willing to sacrifice everything - and everyone - to achieve his vision!

    In his quest to create a vampire film to die for, F.W. Murnau (Malkovich) hires the mysterious Max Schreck (Dafoe) to play Count Orlock in his masterpiece Nosferatu. Murnau introduces Schreck as "the ultimate method actor" - one who will appear only in character, in full makeup and only at night. But as the cast and crew begin to disappear, it appears that Murnau has made a devil`s bargain with Screck.

    With luminous performances and biting humor, Shadow of the Vampire holds you in its icy grip from start to finish.

    Special Features:
    Interactive Menus
    Scene Access
    Featurette: A Behind-The-Scenes Look At The Making Of The Film
    Feature Commentary with Director Elias Merhige
    Interview with Actor Willem Dafoe
    Interview with Director Elias Merhige
    Interview with Producer Nicolas Cage
    Photo Galleries
    Theatrical Trailer
    Production Notes
    Cast and Filmmakers

    Video Tracks:
    Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1

    Audio Tracks:
    Dolby Digital 5.1 English
    Dolby Digital 5.1 French
    DTS 5.1 English

    Subtitle Tracks:
    CC: English

    Directed By:
    E. Elias Merhige

    Written By:

    Starring:
    Udo Kier
    Eddie Izzard
    Aden Gillett
    Cary Elwes
    Willem Dafoe
    John Malkovich

    Casting By:
    Carl Proctor

    Soundtrack By:
    Dan Jones

    Director of Photography:
    Lou Bogue

    Editor:
    Chris Wyatt

    Costume Designer:
    Caroline de Vivaise

    Production Designer:
    Assheton Gorton

    Producer:
    Jimmy de Brabant
    Orian Williams
    Jean-Claude Schlim
    Jeff Levine
    Richard Johns
    Norman Golightly
    Nicolas Cage

    Executive Producer:
    Paul Brooks

    Distributor:
    Universal Pictures

    Your Opinions and Comments

    6 / 10
    I was told one can only appreciate this movie in context with some historical information, so I actually read some background information prior to viewing this movie. My
    conclusion is, however, that in or out of context, this is a really bad movie.
    While the acting is ok, the script is boring and the plot is almost non-existent.
    The video transfer is ok. While there are no compression signs at all, the movie has a very grainy look. Given the subject at matter, I am sure it was intentional. The graininess of the picture does not, however, interfere.
    The DTS and DD 5.1 soundtrack are very disappointing. Most of the movie is dialog based and the surrounds are rarely used.
    The menus are all still.
    The extras include a commentary by the director, a behind the scenes look (including a make up session with Dafoe), a photo gallery and some production notes.
    Bottom line - if you are into vampire movies, do yourself a favor and skip this BOMB of a movie. If you`re not a vampire movie fan, don`t even consider it.
    posted by Zvi Josef on 2/6/2001 22:28