Cast (in credits order) verified as complete
 | John Malkovich | Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau | |
 | Willem Dafoe | Max Schreck | |
 | Udo Kier | Albin Grau | |
 | Cary Elwes | Fritz Arno Wagner | |
 | Catherine McCormack | Greta Schröder | |
 | Eddie Izzard | Gustav von Wangenheim | |
 | Aden Gillett | Henrik Galeen (as John Aden Gillet) | |
 | Nicholas Elliott | Paul - Camera Assistant (as Nicholas Elliot) | |
 | Ronan Vibert | Wolfgang Muller | |
| Sophie Langevin | Elke - Makeup Assistant | |
| Myriam Muller | Maria - Script Assistant | |
| Milos Hlavac | Innkeeper (as Milos Hlavak) | |
| Marja-Leena Junker | Innkeeper's Wife | |
 | Derek Kueter | Reporter 1 | |
 | Norman Golightly | Reporter 2 | |
| Patrick Hastert | Reporter 3 | |
| Sascha Ley | Drunken Woman (as Sacha Ley) | |
| Marie-Paule von Roesgen | Old Woman (as Marie Paule Van Roesgen) | |
| Jean-Claude Croes | Murnau's Crew (as Jean Claude Croes) | |
| Christophe Chrompin | Murnau's Crew (as Christophe Crompin) | |
| Graham Johnston | Murnau's Crew | |
 | Orian Williams | Murnau's Crew | |
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
 | Ingeborga Dapkunaite | Micheline (uncredited) | |
| Radica Vujicin | Murnau's Crew (uncredited) | |
Shadow of the Vampire Movie Trailer
Shadow of The Vampire (2000) Official Trailer
Shadow of the Vampire Movie Description
In a Shadow of the Vampire movie fictionalized account of the making of the classic vampire film Nosferatu directed by F. W. Murnau, 'Shadow of the Vampire Movie' is an interesting but creepy film, but above all, Willem Dafoe's stellar performance as Max Schreck is what makes Shadow of the Vampire film unforgettable Is!
'Shadow of the Vampire Movie' synopsis: The filming of Nosferatu is hampered by the fact that the star is taking her role far more seriously than it seems humanly possible.
'Shadow of the Vampire Movie' is a fictional story, so you shouldn't take it too seriously. This horror film is creepy, atmospheric, and yet still funny.
The whole story, the whole execution is, in fact, very convincing, even though, it won't work for the faint of heart.
Steven Katz's screenplay is brilliant. It's scary, creepy, atmospheric, funny and very innovative. E. Elias Merhige's direction is as terrifying as it gets! Lou Bogue's cinematography is superb.
Editing by Royinba Onijala is crisp. Nice music by Dan Jones. The makeup is awesome.
Performance wise: Willem Dafoe is truly brilliant in his Oscar-nominated performance! His performance as Max Schreck, who plays Count Orlok/Count Dracula, is a stunning embodiment, it's an actor-study.
This is one performance that must be seen by every actor! John Malkovich is competent as Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau.
Udo Kier, as Albin Grau, is first class. Udo Kier is impressive as Albin Grau. Catherine McCormack, as Greta Schroeder, is worth mentioning.
Overall, 'Shadow of the Vampire Movie' is an interesting film, but Willem Dafoe's performance is its biggest strength.
The film is a true relief to all those who thought the horror and mystery genre was dead and buried. It's good to see that it is still possible to make films like this. Although the plot is relatively simple, the film appears to be very original and innovative.
The basic idea behind Shadow of the Vampire movie is so simple it's actually brilliant and makes me wonder why no one thought of it before.
The film is loosely based on the early horror milestone "Nosferatu, ein symphonie des gréines". Legendary actor Max Schreck is portrayed here as an actual vampire who regularly gets bitten by his crew.
Director FW Murnau is aware of this but finishing his film is a higher priority for him than sacrificing some people.
This theme is definitely a must for ancient horror fans. Lots of footage and trivia from the 1922 masterpiece is shown and it's a real extra value for true cinema lovers! But it is certain that due to the excellent performance, Shadow of the Vampire film reaches far above the average.
Fully costumed Willem Dafoe is absolutely amazing in his role of Max Shrek. It's like watching the original Shrek.
the resemblance is great. His looks (especially the long nails) scare you whenever he is on screen and his voice makes your head spin whenever he says something. Dafoe never lets a bad performance go but this one is exceptional. And of course, the same can be said of John Malkovich.
director F.W. His portrayal of Murnau is extremely realistic and believable. He plays Murnau as a man who slowly goes insane because he tries too hard to be perfect. Amazing performance!!
There aren't a lot of shock effects to be found in Shadow of the Vampire movie, but that's normal, isn't it? Ultimately, it's more like a costume-drama than it is horror. The lack of exciting scenes is made up for by the constant presence of tension and an extremely appropriate atmosphere.
Also, an idealized image of Eastern Europe in the 1920s is presented to the audience. All of these aspects make for a better movie than just a few simple bites and slithers. Worth watching !!
Every once in a while, a movie comes along that perfectly and perhaps consciously defies categorization, and "Shadow of the Vampire Movie" is a great example. It's all at once a black comedy, a horror film with a unique setting, and a biting message about the art and business of moviemaking.
And the fact that it wears each of these hats fairly well, though not necessarily at the same time.
The film asks us to imagine: what if Max Schreck, the mysterious man who gave what is still considered one of the best vampire performances, did so well because, well, he was actually a vampire? As we imagine, the fringed creature was inspired by famed cinema pioneer F.W.
Murnau was cast to perform in "Nosferatu". The story then progresses as the crew films while dealing with all manner of difficulties, not the least of which is the star's habit of snacking on the cameraman.
Many of the film's qualities depict filmmaking as it really was at its dawn as art and commerce.
People like me, who are obsessed with silent films, can gain an additional appreciation for their work and craft, and realize that even though they may seem strange and stylized to us now, they had a beauty and substance to them. What was theirs is ours, and still is.
John Malkovich turns in a great performance as the visionary Murnau (who, while atrocious, must be a genius because he always gets it in one go).
It's a typical Malkovich role, a rationalist given to fits of rage, and it's as much fun to watch him show off on the science and art of the moving image as it is to watch him pitch a fit (" Albon, a native has wandered into my frame!").
However, the core of Shadow of the Vampire film, and deservedly so, is Willem Dafoe's unforgettable portrayal of Shrek.
This isn't an Anne-Rice Undead-Vogue kinda vampire talking to your smarts. Shrek is the next thing from a mouse, sitting in the dirt and clicking his paws, and Defoe is able to inspire laughter as well as fear and even compassion.
He makes us imagine what a rotten existence it must be, to have eternal life alone in a rotten ruin and withered body.
There are some great scenes with him and Malkovich, including a sick, hilarious moment when Shrek and Murnau try to figure out who may or may not be on the crew (cinematographer required , it seems, but the script is negotiable girl) .
The movie works best as a sendup of moviemaking, as the troubled Murnau must deal with temperamental actors, unfriendly locals, blood-sucking undead, and other perils of the movie trade.
At one point, Murnau must go on to calm investors, a scene I really wanted to include. Some of the best moments belong to the old creature of the night trying to take direction and find its "motivation".
Everyone fears Shrek, but admires the dedication he puts into character at all times (he's a Method actor, Murnau explains, having studied with Stanislavsky).
The film makes its point neatly, that filmmakers, and by extension filmmaking itself, have a way of sucking the life and blood out of you. Anyone who has ever had to shoot a film on location will attest to this.
If I have any complaint about the film, it's only that after much of its cleverness, it tends to settle for a somewhat straightforward denouement of the horror genre.
I myself would have thought that the vampire would end up going to Berlin with an agent, a swimming pool, and a rendezvous with Ovitz.
Still, the film clearly makes its point: An autistic being driven by a mania for artistic perfection may be more than just a monster that lives in a cave and drinks blood from your neck.