Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror

Dir: F.W. Murnau | Germany | 1922 | 94 mins | Cert. PG

F.W. Murnau’s classic silent film Nosferatu continues to haunt and terrify audiences over 100 years after its first screening. This first-ever screen adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula captures the deeply-rooted elements of a waking nightmare. One of the silent era’s masterpieces. Its eerie, Gothic feel – and chilling performance from Max Shrek as the vampire – set the template for horror films that followed. Darkly humorous and tender too – this is a story of yearning and the search for fulfilment.

A real-estate transaction leads Hutter, an intrepid businessman, deep into the heart of Transylvania. Here he encounters the otherworldly Count Orlok, who soon after embarks upon a voyage to take up residence in a distant new land and establish his dominion. Whether the count’s campaign against the plague-wracked populace erupts from satanic decree, erotic compulsion, or the simple impulse of survival is, perhaps, the greatest mystery of all…

In 2012 Minima collaborated with Paul Ayres’ Queldryk Choral Ensemble to create an arrangement of the score with a 40-piece choir. This was performed at Spitalfields Market and won that year’s Silent London poll for best live score. 2022 was the centenary year of Nosferatu. Minima toured extensively, performing the score 20 times over the course of the year. Nosferatu is very popular in the autumn… when the nights are drawing in – a Halloween special!

“Minima are one of the leading bands accompanying silent film in Europe.” (Barbican Centre, London)
“Minima’s spine-tingling music clung to each twist of the movie… spellbinding accompaniment.” (The Guardian)
“The atmosphere was absolutely magical… hundreds of people seemed utterly spellbound.” (East End Film Festival)