The Haunting Legacy of Nosferatu For over 100 years, Nosferatu has been the ultimate cinematic vampire story. The crooked shadow of FW Murnau's 1922 f
The Haunting Legacy of Nosferatu
For over 100 years, Nosferatu has been the ultimate cinematic vampire story. The crooked shadow of FW Murnau’s 1922 film still looms large over the genre, later reimagined by Werner Herzog in his 1979 Nosferatu. Even the making of Nosferatu still has its fangs in people, as fictionalised in 2000’s Shadow Of The Vampire, in which Willem Dafoe’s Max Schrek – the actor who played Count Orlok – turns out to actually be a vampire. All of which to say, Robert Eggers has big shoes to fill with his 2024 take on Nosferatu – conjuring a full-blooded vision of the classic story in all its gothic terror.
Finding the Perfect Location
When it came to finding real-life locations befitting an ancient vampire’s lair, it was impossible not to reconnect with Nosferatu history. The gatehouse and courtyard of Count Orlok’s gaff in Eggers film was shot at Pernštejn Castle in the Czech Republic – except, in choosing the location, the filmmaker (who had opted out of rewatching previous versions of the film) didn’t initially realise it was already part of Nosferatu lore. "It was actually used as the castle for Werner Herzog’s Nosferatu [1979]," the filmmaker tells Empire, "but I’d been consciously not watching that film, so it didn’t occur to me." Thankfully, he soon realised that he intended to shoot different parts of Pernštejn to Herzog, and wouldn’t be simply retreading the past. "We were able to use the Herzog castle without using the Herzog castle, which was kind of awesome," he says.
The Real Deal
As for the external image of Orlok’s abode, that role went to Transylvania’s Hunedoara Castle (aka Corvin Castle). "We wanted to shoot Transylvania for Transylvania, but at the end, it wasn’t financially feasible," Eggers notes. "So we shot some plates. Most of Transylvania [in the film] is the Czech Republic, but the most epic landscapes are actually Transylvania, including that castle." Sometimes, you simply need the real deal.
Get Your Copy Now
Read Empire‘s full Nosferatu story – speaking to Robert Eggers about building the vampire’s terrifying home – in the Mickey 17 issue, on sale Thursday 24 October. The Mickey 17 issue is available online. Order a copy online here. Nosferatu comes to UK cinemas from 1 January.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Nosferatu a true story?
A: No, Nosferatu is a work of fiction, but it has become a part of popular culture.
Q: Who plays Count Orlok in the 1922 film?
A: Max Schreck plays Count Orlok in the 1922 film.
Q: Who is reimagining Nosferatu in 2024?
A: Robert Eggers is remaking Nosferatu in 2024.
Q: Can I get my copy of Mickey 17 online?
A: Yes, you can order a copy of Mickey 17 online or purchase it at your local newsstand.
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