PROGRAM NOTE
A nobleman, living in the Vogelod Castle, invites a group of guests for a hunting party. Among the guests is the Baroness Safferstatt whose husband died three years ago in a mysterious incident. As clouds overcast the castle, the Baroness, her new husband, her brother and other guests are faced with the truth of the death of the Baron. Set in a creepy yet fascinating old castle, the story unfolds scenes of jealousy, hypocracy, ominous dreams and murder. Therefore, this work of 1921 is often said to be Murnau¡¯s prologue to his masterpiece Nosferatu. The direction visualizes anxiety and the suppressed psychology of the characters and the delicate camera work supremely exhibits the mysterious tone of the film, capturing the special charm of Murnau films. Manuel Gottsching¡¯s dreamy and peculiar musical touch is in concord with the films¡¯ tone and is in itself a masterpiece in contemporary music.