Be advised that this film was released by Alpha Video--a company that ever seems to do any restoration on their films. This is especially problematic for old silent films like this one, as the print is so poor it's almost not worth seeing the film. But, in many cases, there are no other companies releasing that particular video, so you either take it or leave it! As I am a nut about silents, I realized the print would totally suck--so it wasn't any surprise that it did. Sadly, both films on this DVD (this one and "Wolf Blood") were pretty ragged prints and despite the great titles, neither are really horror films. In addition, watching "The Haunted Castle" was a bit more difficult because both the German AND English subtitles appeared on the screen together--this took a bit of time to get used to.
The biggest reason I got this DVD was it was directed by the amazing F.W. Murnau--the man responsible just one year later for "Nosferatu" (probably the scariest silent horror film) as well as "The Last Laugh", "Faust" and "Sunrise"--four of the greatest silents ever made. I have already seen about eight of his films (perhaps one or two more) and was excited when it came in the mail. UNFORTUNATELY, this was not among the director's better films and I honestly think most silent film buffs would never suspect this was one of his films if they weren't told it was. That's because the film lacks the style and the skill you'd expect from a great director--let alone Murnau. Now this isn't saying it's a terrible film--it just isn't a particularly distinguished one.
The story is about a house guest who arrives and refuses to leave the castle--even though he's thought by many to be a murderer--and the widow is also scheduled to arrive! This is a dumb ploy, as this was a private home--why didn't they just have the police toss him out of the home?! This made no sense at all. Through the course of the film, this accused but acquitted murderer unravels a plan to expose the killer. The last 1/4 of the film is pretty cool--but the first 3/4 is sluggish and archaic--made in a plodding and old fashioned style even for 1921. Overall, nothing particularly distinguished about this film...even if it is a Murnau film. It's probably mostly of interest to film historians and die-hard silent fans like myself.
The biggest reason I got this DVD was it was directed by the amazing F.W. Murnau--the man responsible just one year later for "Nosferatu" (probably the scariest silent horror film) as well as "The Last Laugh", "Faust" and "Sunrise"--four of the greatest silents ever made. I have already seen about eight of his films (perhaps one or two more) and was excited when it came in the mail. UNFORTUNATELY, this was not among the director's better films and I honestly think most silent film buffs would never suspect this was one of his films if they weren't told it was. That's because the film lacks the style and the skill you'd expect from a great director--let alone Murnau. Now this isn't saying it's a terrible film--it just isn't a particularly distinguished one.
The story is about a house guest who arrives and refuses to leave the castle--even though he's thought by many to be a murderer--and the widow is also scheduled to arrive! This is a dumb ploy, as this was a private home--why didn't they just have the police toss him out of the home?! This made no sense at all. Through the course of the film, this accused but acquitted murderer unravels a plan to expose the killer. The last 1/4 of the film is pretty cool--but the first 3/4 is sluggish and archaic--made in a plodding and old fashioned style even for 1921. Overall, nothing particularly distinguished about this film...even if it is a Murnau film. It's probably mostly of interest to film historians and die-hard silent fans like myself.