For this assignment there will be a summarisation of several books, outlining the argument of each author regarding what their thoughts are on german expressionism. However, firstly there is an essential need for defining the term. The Oxford Dictionary defines the term german expressionism as “A modernist film movement that developed in Germany in the first part of the 20th century, lasting roughly from 1919 until 1924. The best-known examples of German Expressionist film are: The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (director Wiene, 1919), Metropolis (director Lang, 1926), and Nosferatu (director Murnau, 1921).”1 The books that will be mentioned through this assignment will be: The Gordon’s Gaze: German Cinema, Expressionism, and the image of Horror, From
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Kracauer writes in the chapter “The German war government seemed to the authors (Janowitz and Mayer) the prototype of such voracious authority. Subjects of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, they were in a better position than most citizens of the reich to penetrate the fatal tendencies inherent in the German system. The character of Caligari embodies these tendencies.”2 Krakauer further relates politics and the film by theorising in the book that The Cabinet of Dr Caligari foretold that Nazi Germany would occur because the character Caligari “Is a very specific premonition in the sense that he uses hypnotic power to force his will upon his tool.”3 He then writes how the hypnotisation was similar to what Adolf Hitler did prior and during the war, except what Hitler executed was on a more substantial scale. Kracauer’s view on how the film foretold Nazi Germany because of the similar actions of Hitler and Calgar is a theory that is uncommon and worth reading about. However, it does seem incredibly ludicrous that a film would predict such a rise, it appears to be a theory based largely on hindsight and without any validity to it. And to expand on the first quotation, how the character Caligari embodies the tendencies of the German government, this is a far more fairer comment to make because it is something …show more content…
In this chapter by John R. Clarke, he explores the meaning behind the sets and the responsibility Poelzig had in the creation of the sets for The Golem. John R. Clarke wrote what Poelzig thought of his on creation “In reference to his sets for The Golem Poelzig said that he was acquainted with expressionism and that he saw that one could express in the facade of a structure all of the dynamic, ecstatic, fantastic, and pathetic elements which constitute the psychic nature of life.”7 What Poelzig meant by this was that with the sets being unrealistic and outlandish, it could be a representation of how he puts it “The psychic nature of life.” Based on the writings of other writers (for example Hake), it appears that there are certain conventions of German cinema at the time, it isn’t simply coincidental. It seems unequivocal that the sets of German expressionism and other conventions were implemented to evoke the feelings of the public subsequent to the first world war. Regarding the influence of The Golem’s set, “Iris Barry notes the minimal effect of any of the German expressionist films on American cinema.”8 However, John R. Clarke writes that “Lotte Eisner, on the other hand, notes how Poelzig’s sets were echoed in Past’s Treasure (1923) and Leni Waxworks (1924).”9 Both Eisner and especially Barry make points that attract intrigue. Barry suggesting that the
Kracauer writes in the chapter “The German war government seemed to the authors (Janowitz and Mayer) the prototype of such voracious authority. Subjects of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, they were in a better position than most citizens of the reich to penetrate the fatal tendencies inherent in the German system. The character of Caligari embodies these tendencies.”2 Krakauer further relates politics and the film by theorising in the book that The Cabinet of Dr Caligari foretold that Nazi Germany would occur because the character Caligari “Is a very specific premonition in the sense that he uses hypnotic power to force his will upon his tool.”3 He then writes how the hypnotisation was similar to what Adolf Hitler did prior and during the war, except what Hitler executed was on a more substantial scale. Kracauer’s view on how the film foretold Nazi Germany because of the similar actions of Hitler and Calgar is a theory that is uncommon and worth reading about. However, it does seem incredibly ludicrous that a film would predict such a rise, it appears to be a theory based largely on hindsight and without any validity to it. And to expand on the first quotation, how the character Caligari embodies the tendencies of the German government, this is a far more fairer comment to make because it is something …show more content…
In this chapter by John R. Clarke, he explores the meaning behind the sets and the responsibility Poelzig had in the creation of the sets for The Golem. John R. Clarke wrote what Poelzig thought of his on creation “In reference to his sets for The Golem Poelzig said that he was acquainted with expressionism and that he saw that one could express in the facade of a structure all of the dynamic, ecstatic, fantastic, and pathetic elements which constitute the psychic nature of life.”7 What Poelzig meant by this was that with the sets being unrealistic and outlandish, it could be a representation of how he puts it “The psychic nature of life.” Based on the writings of other writers (for example Hake), it appears that there are certain conventions of German cinema at the time, it isn’t simply coincidental. It seems unequivocal that the sets of German expressionism and other conventions were implemented to evoke the feelings of the public subsequent to the first world war. Regarding the influence of The Golem’s set, “Iris Barry notes the minimal effect of any of the German expressionist films on American cinema.”8 However, John R. Clarke writes that “Lotte Eisner, on the other hand, notes how Poelzig’s sets were echoed in Past’s Treasure (1923) and Leni Waxworks (1924).”9 Both Eisner and especially Barry make points that attract intrigue. Barry suggesting that the