Dr Caligari keeps a Somnambulist (sleepwalker to those not in the freakshow profession) in a box. He wheels him out to crowds who can ask him questions whereupon he wakes up and predicts death. Death shortly follows. Coincidence?
Made in 1920 and as such, a silent film, the mugging that constituted acting in films then significantly detracted from the atmosphere the story might otherwise have generated by constantly making me chuckle. The exagerated acting of The Artist is left looking completely natural in the face of this.
It is only the acting that really stands out in that way though. The mehanics of the film surprised me a great deal. Told in flashback using decoys and twists this sets up what is still the quintessential horror template today.
What little tension did rise came from the score, never more obviously important. This highlighted how accustomed we have become to particular musical cues, being a modern composition to play along with the classic film. The fact it was played live was a terrific bonus adding that indescribable something that usually comes with any live show.
Brilliantly enjoyable and strange.
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