"The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari" and Expressionism?!

"The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari" and Expressionism?

"The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari" is one of my favorite films. This silent classic of German Expressionism was released in 1919, and had an enormous influence on movies. In fact, it was a direct inspiration for James Whale, when he directed "Frankenstein". It has gone down in history as a classic of cinematic art, and horror.

The movie, for those who haven't seen it, concerns a somnambulist who is sent out to murder. The central figure of the story is a young man who witnesses his friends murdered by the sleepwalker, and his fiance taken by him for the same purpose. The sets are deliberately distorted, in keeping with the Expressionism of the times, and the overall feel of the movie is weird, and anti-reality. With good reason, too: the entire story is revealed to be taking place in the young man's mind, while he sits in an insane asylum.

I love this movie, both for the story, and its theme. How do you feel about the film, and what other Expressionist classics compare?

5 days ago
You can order it on DVD from Barnes & Noble.com., Blockbuster.com, Wherehouse.com, even WalMart.com.

I actually just saw the update (the non-silent film) two days ago and LOVED it. I thought it was fantastic. I have never seen the original though, but I am going to be looking for the updated (50s, I think) version to buy, so if you have any suggestions on where to do so that would be great.