Vampyr

About Vampyr

Vampyr, a 1932 film, is a cinematic masterpiece created by Danish director Carl Theodor Dreyer. The story follows Allan Gray, a man transfixed on studying devil worship and vampire lore, who arrives in a remote village. Upon arrival, he gets entangled in a deadly and supernatural predicament involving an old man and his daughters.

Making / Production

Vampyr was inspired by elements from J. Sheridan Le Fanu's collection of supernatural stories 'In a Glass Darkly'. Dreyer, and his co-writer Christen Jul, crafted a surreal and disturbing narrative while purposely avoiding typical Hollywood archetype characters. This German-French production was shot largely on location in Courtempierre, a village in France.

Actors

• Nicolas de Gunzburg: Performed the role of Allan Gray. He effectively embodies the character's anxiety and curiosity with his rich and detailed performance.
• Julian West: Appears as the doomed Sir Léone. He utilized a minimalist acting style that underscores his character's vulnerability.
• Maurice Schutz: Played the character of The Lord of the Manor. He conveys a sense of torment and despair throughout the film.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Nicolas de Gunzburg financed the film under the condition that he play the lead role of Allan Gray.
• The director, Carl Theodor Dreyer, cited D.W. Griffith's 'Intolerance' (1916) as an influence.
• The film was not well-received upon its initial release but is now recognized as a classic of the horror genre.

Awards

No records of the movie winning awards are found.

Quotes

• 'She must not die... you must set her free.'
• 'Oh Lord, grant that my hands may not soil thy inestimable gift.'

Music, Soundtrack

• Composed by Wolfgang Zeller, the score played an integral part in creating the film's atmospheric, eerie mood.
• Unlike most films at the time, Vampyr went beyond using music merely as a narrative device; instead, it made the soundtrack an integral part of the movie's Gothic aesthetic.