In 1921 Berlin, F.W. Murnau sought to create the most realistic and nightmarish vision of vampirism yet, in his film Nosferatu . He cast an unknown actor calling himself Max Schreck - which literally means fear.
Legend has it that the set was plagued by deaths and mysterious disappearances.
Many believe that Max Schreck himself was in fact a real vampire. This is the basis for Shadow of the Vampire . Shadow of the Vampire does not open until December 29th, but Shea and I were lucky enough to take in a screening last night at the opening of the 13th annual Virginia Film Festival. It was actually a double feature, with Nosferatu leading in. Shadow is directed by E. Elias Merhige, a man who I'd never actually heard of.