Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari Review

It is immediately visible that Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari, despite being made in 1920, has had large influence in the arts. The stage like composition in scenes such as when Francis and Jane are sat around her table are distinctly Berkoffian, this vibe is furthered by the pale makeup and ham acting. Another person it is clear has drawn inspiration from the film is Tim Burton; Cesare is a timelessly designed character which is not too dissimilar from Edward Scissor Hands. The way the scene where Cesare takes Jane across the rooftops (2) is composed- with false warped depth and the jagged angles apparent throughout the film, also reminded me of Burton and other surrealist modern directors. Many scenes in the film are filmed at purposefully awkward angles it seems, this was sometimes slightly unsettling and added further to the warped dream like world the film was set in (which is of course in Francis’ own head). All buildings and many of the props in the film were warped at awkward angles and were triangular in composition. This was sometimes subtle and sometimes not so much so which gave the impression of warped memory of the events as well as being in a surreal dream world- and of course these were both true of the films story.  The larger triangular structures and the inintricasy of their decoration gave the impression of a warped art deco world, way more aggressive than the art movement is usually. Especially inside Jane’s house, where the patterns on the wall appear to be painted on messily (1). As the film goes on, these patterns begin to appear in nature as well, on the floor and on plants- as if the worlds in Francis’ head are merging as the action gets more frantic. Other elements of the film are more delicately gaunt. In the beginning scene where Jane is walking through the forest, the way the dead trees contrast with the whites of her dress is more darkly romantic. The coloured filters used for different scenes also added to the atmosphere, the blues made the night time more sinister and the rusty sepia colour of the flashbacks added to the surrealism. It is clear to see why this film has had so much influence since it’s release.

(1)                                                                        (2)