Definition: German Expressionism was an early 20th-century cultural movement in the arts, including film, painting, and theater. It emphasized emotional experience over physical reality, often using bold colors, distorted forms, and dramatic, moody visuals to express the artist’s inner feelings or ideas. Notable filmmakers and films include Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927), F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu (1922), and Robert Wiene’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920).
Introduction to German Expressionism in Film
German Expressionism is a pivotal movement in cinema that originated in Germany in the early 20th century.
This movement emerged from broader expressionist art trends in various art forms, including painting, theater, and architecture.
Visual Style
Yousuf Karsh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
One of the most distinctive features of German Expressionism is its unique visual style, involving exaggerated set designs, artificial landscapes, and stark lighting contrasts.
Shadows and sharp angles (such as Dutch angle shots) are often used to create a sense of disorientation and unease and to represent distorted perceptions of reality, reflecting the characters’ inner emotional states.
The use of shadows and lighting techniques, such as low-key lighting, particularly, have contributed to the moody, suspenseful atmospheres typical of horror films and film noir.
Example: In Nosferatu, the eerie landscapes and the play with light and shadow create a foreboding atmosphere that amplifies the thematic content of fear and dread. The use of shadows, particularly in scenes where Count Orlok’s shadow climbs a staircase or reaches for his victim, enhances the theme of impending doom and the inescapable nature of his influence.
Themes and Symbolism
German Expressionist films frequently explore themes of madness, betrayal, and other psychological disturbances.
The settings and characters are often symbolic representations of broader societal concerns—reflecting the anxieties and uncertainties of the era.
Example: in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, the twisted and distorted set designs symbolize the distorted reality experienced by the protagonist, Francis, and possibly the distorted moral compass of authority figures (Dr. Caligari). The robot Maria in Metropolis symbolizes technological progress and its potential dangers, particularly its ability to manipulate and control the masses.
Themes of oppression and subversion are common, mirroring the political and social upheaval of the time.
Example: Fritz Lang uses monumental sets and mechanical imagery in Metropolis to emphasize the overwhelming power of technology and industry. The stark contrast between the lush gardens of the elite and the dark, oppressive underworld inhabited by the workers visually underscores the class divide.
Read more on Symbolism in Film.
Notable Directors and Films
Now, let’s look at some of the iconic directors and their groundbreaking films in German expressionism that continue to influence cinema today.
Metropolis (1927) by Fritz Lang
One of the most prominent figures in German Expressionism, Fritz Lang’s work includes Metropolis (1927), a seminal film that epitomizes the movement’s thematic and visual elements.
The film’s portrayal of a dystopian future with stark, oppressive imagery reflects contemporary societal concerns.
Nosferatu (1922) by F.W. Murnau
Another key director, F.W. Murnau, made significant contributions to films like Nosferatu (1922), a cornerstone of horror cinema.
This film’s use of shadow and unorthodox camera angles captures the essence of the Expressionist style, effectively creating a sense of horror and dread.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) by Robert Wiene
One of the quintessential works of German Expressionist film is The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), directed by Robert Wiene.
This film is often hailed as a landmark in cinematic history, with its twisted landscapes and surreal, dream-like narrative.
Seven Essential Movies You Should Also Know About
If you’re interested in going deeper down the rabbit hole, I suggest you also watch these seven more films from the movement:
| Filmmaker | Movie | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Wegener | The Golem: How He Came into the World (1920) | Paul Wegener’s The Golem is noted for its mythical storytelling and expressionistic set designs, effectively contributing to the eerie and otherworldly atmosphere. |
| Georg Wilhelm Pabst | Pandora’s Box (1929) | G.W. Pabst’s Pandora’s Box exemplifies expressionistic exploration of complex, tortured characters and social critique, encapsulating the moral anxieties of the era. |
| Fritz Lang | M (1931) | Another Fritz Lang classic, M, explores the fear and tension in society using stark lighting and shadow, contributing significantly to the mood and suspense, hallmark techniques of German Expressionism. |
| Carl Theodor Dreyer | Vampyr (1932) | Though Danish, Dreyer’s Vampyr was heavily influenced by German Expressionism, using shadows and innovative visual storytelling techniques to evoke a dreamlike state that blurs reality and fantasy. |
| F.W. Murnau | Faust (1926) | Murnau’s Faust leverages fantastical imagery and dramatic characters typical of Expressionism to explore themes of morality and temptation. |
| Walter Ruttmann | Berlin: Symphony of a Great City (1927) | Walter Ruttmann’s film is a pivotal example of visual music and city symphony genre but through an Expressionist lens, capturing the rhythm of urban life with abstract and geometric forms. |
| Joe May | Asphalt (1929) | Joe May’s Asphalt contributes to the movement with its visual style that emphasizes the urban landscape and melodramatic narrative, characteristic of the late German Expressionist period. |
Legacy and Influence on Modern Cinema
The legacy of German Expressionism extends far into contemporary filmmaking.
Influence on Later Films and Directors
Tim Burton, for example, incorporates Expressionist elements in terms of set design and character presentation, reflecting the enduring impact of this movement.
You can see this in Edward Scissorhands (1990), especially in the design of Edward’s Gothic mansion, which is perched atop a hill with its jagged architecture and stark, contrasting colors against the pastel suburban homes below.
Also, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) displays elements of German Expressionism, especially in the use of shadows and the spooky atmosphere of the Bates house. The famous shower scene, with its sharp angles and interplay of light and shadow, also reflects the expressionist style.
Werner Herzog’s 1979 film Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht pays homage to F. W. Murnau’s 1922 classic film. It adopts expressionist techniques such as highly symbolic acting and events to narrate its story.
Impact on Film Noir
Film noir, a genre that emerged in the 1940s, was significantly shaped by German Expressionism. The genre’s high-contrast lighting, deep shadows, and urban environments all owe something to the earlier movement.
The Maltese Falcon (1941), directed by John Huston, uses stark lighting and urban decay to enhance its mood of mystery and moral ambiguity, much like the unsettling urban landscapes of Metropolis.
Impact on other Genres and Continued Legacy
In addition to film noir and horror, psychological thrillers borrow heavily from German Expressionism. The visual style helps to depict disturbed psychological states and surreal narratives.
A good example is Shutter Island (2010), directed by Martin Scorsese, where the use of stark lighting, unsettling angles, and the imposing architecture of the asylum reflect expressionist techniques to convey the protagonist’s disorientation and unraveling.
Also, stylistic elements are frequently seen in sci-fi films. A good example is Ridley Scott’s 1982 Blade Runner, which drew inspiration from Metropolis. Similarly, the 1998 movie Dark City features stark contrasts, rigid movements, and fantastical elements.
Conclusion
German Expressionism shaped specific films and directors and left an enduring legacy on the visual language of cinema across genres.
Its themes of internal turmoil, societal pressures, and the line between reality and the psychological continue to resonate, making it a pivotal movement in film history.
Up Next: The Difference Between Horror vs. Thriller Film Genres Explained
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