Film: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

Film:  The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, 1920

            This silent film was a great success throughout the world!  Considered one of the first horror films, this silent movie depicted the first expressionist view along with its skewed and jagged expressionist stage sets and somber lighting to portray and reflect subjectivity of dread. Moreover, this film was the first to introduce what professor Murdaco interpreted as “framing device” or framing story in which the plot is told by the main character as a flashback - this technique has been adopted from this film and used throughout the century by other directors in the film industry.

            I chose the scene towards the ending of the movie when Francis reveals that his flashback story is indeed his fantasy while Jane, Cesare and he are all patients of the insane asylum.  After proclaiming that he isn’t insane, Francis violently attacks the director of the institution screaming that the director is in fact Dr. Caligari.  Francis is then led away to his solitary room in a straitjacket.

           Yes! I chose the twist ending of the plot in consideration of what most Germans and Europeans may have experienced post World War I.  Throughout the early 1900 leading to the First World War, it was evident that most countries and its people had been foreboding imminent struggles and perhaps war.  I chose this twist ending in the hopes of possibly showing a comparison to what may have been promised by these countries to its people going into this cataclysmic war versus what was proclaimed at the end of the tragic war.  Feelings of dread comes over me as I try to imagine and empathize with the pre and post war situation of the people during this time period – I’m sure all those people got a twist ending from World War I and appreciated the twist ending expressionist view of this film as well.