What Is German Expressionism in Film? Definition & Examples From Cinema

Let’s jump into the shadowy world of German Expressionism, a movement that reshaped cinema with its bold, distorted sets and emotionally charged atmospheres.

We’ll explore how films like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Metropolis used stylized visuals to evoke deep psychological responses.

We’re peeling back the curtain on the iconic techniques that made German Expressionism a cornerstone of film history.

Get ready to discover the profound impact these visual experiments had on both the horror genre and film noir.

 

 

The Origins Of German Expressionism

The seeds of German Expressionism were sown in the fertile soil of early 20th-century Germany, a time marred by social unrest and the aftermath of World War I.

This cauldron of tension set the stage for a powerful form of storytelling – one that sought to depict the innermost feelings of its protagonists through exaggerated sets, bold contrasts, and intense performances.

Artists and filmmakers of the era were heavily influenced by the broader Expressionist movement in fine arts and literature, with notable inspiration coming from works that emphasized emotional experience over physical reality.

Painters like Edvard Munch and writers such as Franz Kafka created pieces that resonated with the feelings of alienation and anxiety, which would become a cornerstone of German Expressionist cinema.

Key Influences And Precursors

Central to the rise of this cinematic style were several key elements:

• The emotional disillusionment experienced during and after the Great War.
• A desire to escape the harsh realities of post-war society.
• The impact of other art forms like painting, theatre, and architecture – particularly the works of Vincent van Gogh and Egon Schiele, whose stark lines and vivid use of color can be seen reflected in the visual designs of German Expressionist films.

These influences converged to create a distinctive visual language that sought to portray a deeper truth, one that resides in the emotional and psychological landscapes of the characters.

German Expressionist films often used symbolic imagery and dramatic shadows to explore themes of madness, betrayal, and existential dread – as seen in films such as Nosferatu and The Golem.

By examining these origins, we gain a profound understanding of how German Expressionism reshaped cinematic techniques and narrative strategies.

This movement didn’t just change the face of horror and film noir; it offered a new lens through which we could view the human condition.

The stylized visual language pioneered by German Expressionist filmmakers continues to influence directors today, proving that the movement’s legacy is as enduring as it is dynamic.

If you’re interested in learning more about the German Expressionism film movement, check out our in-depth profile and explore our comprehensive timeline of film movements to see where it fits in cinema history.

Best Films Of German Expressionism

Let’s take a look at some of the best German expressionism films.

Metropolis (1927)

Metropolis is a 1927 German expressionist film directed by Fritz Lang.

It was one of the most expensive films made in the silent era, and its production involved elaborate sets and innovative special effects.

The film presents a dystopian vision of an industrial society set in 2026, with high-rise buildings dominated by advertising billboards that bear resemblance to New York’s Times Square.

It has been deemed as a “masterpiece” by the Library of Congress and is often cited as one of the first films to combine science fiction with modern city life.

The cityscape in Metropolis reflects how society evolved from being based on agriculture to industrialization. The movie depicts many different themes, such as religion, power, social class, mass production, and the machine age.

It won multiple awards including Saturn Award Best.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a German Expressionist silent horror film directed by Robert Wiene.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a classic horror film that was filmed in 1920 and is based on an old German story called “Dr. Caligari’s Cabinet (1913) by author, Hans Janowitz.

The movie itself has been remade many times but the original is still considered to be one of the best ever made, as it includes some of the most creative visuals seen on screen and has had a huge impact on modern cinema.

With angular, painted studio sets designed in a graphic style by Hermann Warm, Walter Reimann, and Walter Röhrig.

The film’s deep shadows and distortions of perspective introduced to cinema the psychedelic techniques of German expressionist painting and architecture, launching a homegrown film movement and inspiring the stylizations of American horror and film noir.

The twist that all these grotesque vistas represent the delusions of a patient in Caligari’s insane asylum, sleepwalking his way through a reality beyond his mental grasp, paved the way for a psychological brand of narrative ambiguity that would creep into much subsequent horror.

From Morn to Midnight (1920)

From Morn to Midnight is a silent expressionist film directed by Karlheinz Martin based on the 1912 play From Morning to Midnight by Georg Kaiser.

It is one of the most radical films of the German Expressionist movement, being one of the most exuberating examples of the following experiment.

Scenes melting, faces appear and disappear, suggesting focus, capturing it in an informal way, which creates even more of a drastic contrast between the silence of the movie and the hardship at the time of its making.

The Golem: How He Came into the World (1920)

Originally, The Golem: How He Came into the World was a book by Gustav Meyrink, that became a silent horror film and a leading example of early German Expressionism.

Director Paul Wegener, who co-directed the film with Carl Boese and co-wrote the script with Henrik Galeen based on Gustav Meyrink’s 1915 novel.

It tells a story of Jewish mysticism and folklore about the golem, which is a creature made from earth or clay to protect Jews from persecution.

Critical reception for The Golem upon its initial release was positive.

The New York Times‘ 1921 review praised its “exceptional acting” and “expressive settings”, the latter of which was compared to those of another early German expressionist horror film, Robert Wiene’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920).

Nosferatu (1922)

Nosferatu is a 1922 silent film by F. W. Murnau, starring Max Schreck as the vampire Count Orlok and Greta Schröder as Ellen Hutter (the female protagonist).

The film tells the story of a Transylvanian nobleman who wants to move from his castle in order to find new blood and spread the curse, and of a real estate agent who shows him around town.

Nosferatu was released on October 18th, 1922 with no spoken dialogue but only title cards for dialogues that explained what was happening.

It is considered to be one of the first full-length feature films in cinema history without any audible dialogue sequences or sound.

The story follows the vampire Count Orlok of Transylvania as he travels to Germany, and his attempt to purchase a house in the small town of Wisborg.

The local real estate agent notices that Orlok’s face bears a resemblance to the image on an old painting hanging in one room of the house, which depicts a nobleman who was cursed for betraying his people by refusing them access to water from their land’s river.

Warning Shadows (1923)

Schatten – Eine nächtliche Hallucination (“Shadows – a Nocturnal Hallucination”, known in English as Warning Shadows) is a 1923 German silent film directed and co-written by Arthur Robison, and starring Fritz Kortner and Ruth Weyher.

It is undoubtedly an influential minor classic silent German expressionist film.

This film should be of interest to silent movie fans for several reasons.

First, it manages to tell an entirely visual story with no title cards included after the characters are introduced.

Second, it’s ridiculously gorgeous.

Third, we can get into all sorts of juicy discussions regarding the meaning of the film, the universe, and everything.

The Hands of Orlac (1924)

Hands of Orlac is a 1924 silent film directed by Robert Wiene and starring Conrad Veidt.

A pianist’s hands are cut off in an accident, so he gets new hands from a surgeon who happens to be experimenting with grafting animal parts onto humans.

The pianist then starts murdering people because the new hands can’t tell right from wrong.

The movie was based on a novel written in 1910 by Maurice Renard, which tells the story of a concert pianist whose hands are brutally severed in an accident, but then transplanted to another man’s body (played by Veidt).

The Hands of Orlac is an early example of horror cinema that combines elements from both science fiction and crime genres.

It also exemplifies German expressionism with its dark visual style and sets reminiscent of surreal nightmares.

Waxworks (1924)

The film was directed by German Expressionist filmmaker Paul Leni and starred Hungarian actress Lya De Putti as Phil’s girlfriend Betty Lou.

It has been called one of the most significant movies in cinematic history because it created an entirely new style for filmmaking with its use of expressionism, atmospheric lighting, exaggerated shadows, and camera angles to create tension on screen.

A wax museum owner employs a poet (William Dieterle) to create stories for his pieces.

The poet dutifully pens disturbing tales, envisioning himself as a significant character in each story – a baker sentenced to death by the Caliph of Baghdad (Emil Jannings), a Russian prince contending with the deadly paranoia of Ivan the Terrible (Conrad Veidt), and a man who is pursued through the haunting streets of London by Jack the Ripper (Werner Krauss).

Variety (1925)

Also known by the alternative titles Jealousy or Vaudeville is a 1925 silent drama film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont based on the 1912 novel The Oath of Stephan Huller by Felix Hollaender.

The film was heavily censored when it was released in America (except New York), by excising the entire first reel,  thus destroying the motivation of the tragedy, implying that the acrobat was married to his Eurasian temptress.

This film is believed to contain the first documentation of unicycle hockey – it features a short sequence showing two people playing the game.

The Student of Prague (1926)

The Student of Prague (German: Der Student von Prag) is a 1926 German Expressionist silent film by actor and filmmaker Henrik Galeen, starring Conrad Veidt as Balduin, The Student, and Werner Krauss as Scapinelli.

For Balduin, going out to beer parties with his fellow students and fighting out disputes at the tip of the sword have lost their charms.

He wants to find love; but how would he, a penniless student, ever dare look up to any woman worth of loving?

Absorbed in his dreary thoughts and indifferent to the advances of Lyduschka, Balduin is unexpectedly offered a fortune by the mysterious money-lender Scapinelli – but on a strange condition…

The Characteristics Of German Expressionist Films

When exploring the hallmarks of German Expressionist cinema, we’re delving into a world where visual style speaks volumes about the human psyche.

Chiaroscuro lighting, offering stark contrasts between light and shadow – is a signature feature, molding scenes that evoke a sense of unease and psychological depth.

Films like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari become a canvas where light and darkness battle, reflecting the turmoil within the characters’ minds.

The architecture in these films doesn’t merely serve as a backdrop; it becomes a character itself.

Distorted shapes and angled spaces characterize the mise-en-scène, with sets like those in Metropolis dramatizing the conflict and chaos of the storylines.

These visual distortions aren’t just for show; they’re integral to conveying the movie’s thematic essence.

Expressionist movies often forgo realistic narratives for stylized storytelling.

The plot might take a backseat to the overwhelming power of the film’s mood and aesthetics.

Viewers are pulled into introspections on human emotions and conditions, with themes commonly circling around:

• Madness and insanity,
• Betrayal and deceit,
• The quirks of fate and existential angst.

Another striking characteristic we observe is symbolic use of costumes and makeup.

Taking a cue from their theatrical roots, actors in German Expressionist films bear exaggerated, almost grotesque makeup and costumes that further distance the performances from reality and deepen the on-screen impact.

The pronounced visual style not only makes the films compelling but also irrevocably distinctive.

The performances in these films tend to be intense and deliberate, underscoring the internal struggles of the characters.

Emotions are heightened, and the theatricality of gestures translates the inner turmoil to the audience with an almost operatic effect.

This is especially evident in the work of actors like Conrad Veidt, whose contorted expressions in The Man Who Laughs remain emblematic of the film movement’s approach to performance.

The Influence Of German Expressionism On Horror Genre

German Expressionism has left an indelible mark on the landscape of horror films, shaping the genre’s visual and thematic vocabulary.

The movement’s atmospheric emphasis and stark contrasts seamlessly transitioned into the ominous shadows and suspenseful narratives that define horror movies.

Films like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu serve as patriarchs to many tropes we find chilling to this day.

In the world of horror, we see the legacy of German Expressionism embedded in the use of:

• Shadow and light creating suspense and ambiguity,
• Stylized sets evoking a nightmarish quality,
• Distorted perspectives emphasizing characters’ psychological states.

These elements continue to inspire and can be witnessed in modern horror classics ranging from Psycho to It Follows.

Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands and Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner also pay homage to the aesthetic foundation laid by German Expressionists.

Delving deeper into the narrative aspect, we find Expressionism’s thematic influence on horror through:

• Complex antiheroes often tormented and misunderstood,
• Existential threats from within and without,
• Overarching sense of doom pervades the storyline.

Our understanding of fear and tension in cinema is largely indebted to the mysterious and unsettling ambiance that was mastered in German Expressionist film.

Their pioneering efforts in exploring the dark corners of the human psyche laid the groundwork for a century of spooky settings and hair-raising plot twists, showing us how deep the genre’s roots run in cinematic history.

German Expressionism And Film Noir

When tracing the roots of film noir, one cannot overlook the significant impact of German Expressionism.

As the horror genre absorbed the aesthetic of exaggerated contrasts and theatrical sets, film noir embraced the deep shadows and moral ambiguity fostered by the Expressionist movement.

This synonymous relationship shaped one of the most iconic styles in cinema history.

Film noir manifested a reality distorted by psychological turmoil and existential dread, taking cues from German Expressionism’s penchant for visual storytelling.

The hallmark of film noir – its moody, high-contrast lighting – was directly borrowed from Expressionist cinematography.

Pioneering films like The Maltese Falcon and Double Indemnity showcased this atmospheric technique, capturing audiences with their gloomy visuals and complex characters.

Key influences of German Expressionism on film noir include:

• The use of stark lighting contrast to reflect the protagonists’ moral ambiguity.
• Warped cityscapes and settings representing internal conflict.
• Antiheroes driven by psychological pressures rather than clear-cut villains or heroes.

Expressionist roots in film noir not only impacted the visual element but also thematically infused the genre with a sense of disillusionment post-World War I.

These narratives often mirrored the turbulent societal changes of the era, and film noir became the voice of a generation grappling with uncertainty.

As stories unfolded under the veil of nocturnal urban settings, film noir maintained its allegiance to the German Expressionist tradition of dissecting the human condition.

Filmmakers like Fritz Lang, who migrated from Germany to Hollywood, became instrumental in merging the two cinematic styles.

Lang’s Metropolis, which epitomized German Expressionist film, lent its visionary flair to his later noir works such as Scarlet Street and The Big Heat.

Through such cross-pollination, the essence of German Expressionism was perpetuated in film noir, ensuring its doctrines remained integral to understanding this dark, stylistic genre.

The Legacy Of German Expressionism In Film

German Expressionism pioneered innovative film techniques that left an indelible mark on cinema.

Its legacy is unmistakable in various genres, particularly in how it set the stage for the visual and narrative techniques in modern filmmaking.

Directors worldwide draw from its deep well of stylistic choices – a testament to its lasting influence.

Key aspects of German Expressionism continue to resonate through contemporary cinema.

This includes:

• Stark lighting contrasts,
• Striking use of shadows,
• Distorted set designs,
• Emphasis on internal emotional states.

These elements provide a unique visual language, creating moods and atmospheres that engage audiences on a subconscious level.

The aesthetics of German Expressionism have informed the look and feel of many iconic films across decades.

The influence extends beyond visuals to narrative architecture.

Filmmakers employ the movement’s thematic focus on the human psyche and moral ambiguity to craft complex characters and storylines.

Coupled with the Expressionist penchant for symbolic imagery, these stories gain depth and enduring appeal.

Pioneers like Fritz Lang and F. W. Murnau proposed techniques that defied traditional filmmaking norms.

Their use of expressionist elements in films such as Metropolis and Nosferatu was groundbreaking for its time.

These methods have shaped various film schools and movements, cementing German Expressionism’s role as a cornerstone of cinematic innovation.

As we explore the nuances of film artistry, it’s clear that German Expressionism’s apogee may have been in the early 20th century, but its influence is anything but historical.

It continues to inspire and challenge filmmakers, urging them to push boundaries and explore the deeper recesses of human expression through the powerful medium of film.

What Was The Purpose Of German Expressionism?

The movement was a reaction to Impressionist art that had been popular at the time.

These paintings were typically dark with heavy use of black lines and shading that created an emotional mood for viewers.

Expressionist artists often use bright colors for intense emotions like happiness or anger.

One popular artist who draws heavily from German expressionism is Edvard Munch whose most famous work was The Scream which depicts the feeling of anxiety among many people during World War I and II with its strong lines, sharp angles, deep shadows, contrasting colors and an overall sense of terror expressed through facial expressions.

The purpose of German Expressionism was to reflect on the state of society after World War 1 as well as convey personal emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety, despair, and loneliness.

Expressionist artists often had strong political views, which they put on display through their artwork.

Works from this period were influenced by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s idea of the Übermensch, or “Superman.”

German Expressionist Film Portrays A Subjective, Emotional World

The German expressionist style of the film is a unique art form that developed during the Weimar Republic in Germany.

This style of filmmaking can be seen in movies such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Nosferatu, and Metropolis.

German Expressionist Film Portrays A Subjective, Emotional World by Carlotta Ramsey-Boltz.

It is characterized by an emphasis on expressive cinematography through light and shadow as well as exaggerated acting styles, sets, props, and costumes.

The goal of these stylistic devices is to elicit strong emotions from the audience while also telling a story or conveying a message about society at the time.

This genre is often considered to be one of the most influential film movements in history because it paved the way for future horror films such as Nosferatu and Frankenstein, as well as classic Hollywood movies like Casablanca (1942) and Citizen Kane (1941).

These ten German Expressionist films are perfect to watch for anyone interested in seeing how this movement has influenced cinema.

Expressionism Film

German Expressionism found its reflection in different areas of cinematography and filmmaking, music as well as art.

In the early 1900s, German Expressionism was a popular art style in Europe.

This movement originated as an offshoot of Impressionism and had many similarities to Cubism, which is also from this era.

One of the most famous artists who created artwork in this style was Max Beckmann.

The term “German expressionist” is often used interchangeably with “Expressionist,” but it has more specific meaning than just any work that shows emotional intensity or distortion of form and space like other types of Expressionism do.

The term was coined in 1919 by German art critic Richard Muhler when he used it to describe paintings from artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch.

German Expressionism In Film – Wrap Up

We’ve seen how German Expressionism has indelibly shaped the landscape of cinema.

Its bold techniques and thematic depth didn’t just challenge the norms but became a cornerstone for the evolution of genres like film noir.

Through the mastery of directors like Lang and Murnau, we’ve inherited a cinematic language that speaks to the very core of our emotional experiences.

As we look to the future of filmmaking, we’re excited to see how the next generation of artists will draw from this rich heritage to tell their own visually and psychologically compelling stories.

German Expressionism isn’t just a chapter in film history, it’s a living influence that continues to provoke and inspire.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is German Expressionism?

German Expressionism is an artistic movement that emerged in early 20th-century Germany, characterized by stark lighting contrasts, use of shadows, distorted set designs, and focusing on the internal emotional states, all of which have influenced various forms of visual arts, including cinema.

How Did German Expressionism Influence The Film Noir Genre?

German Expressionism influenced film noir by contributing techniques such as high-contrast lighting, shadow play, and skewed set designs.

These visual elements help convey the internal psychological turmoil of characters and the moral ambiguity that are central to film noir narratives.

Can You Name Some Films Influenced By German Expressionism?

Films heavily influenced by German Expressionism include Fritz Lang’s Metropolis and F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu. These movies defy traditional filmmaking norms and set the stage for the visual style of film noir.

Why Is The Focus On The Human Psyche Important In German Expressionism?

The focus on the human psyche in German Expressionism is important because it explores the deeper layers of human emotions and conflicts, giving rise to more complex characters and storylines that resonate with audiences on a subconscious level.

Does German Expressionism Still Influence Contemporary Cinema?

Yes, German Expressionism continues to influence contemporary cinema.

Filmmakers adopt its innovative techniques and thematic focus to create films that challenge audiences to explore the deeper recesses of human expression and experience.
 

Ready to learn about more Film History & Film Movements?