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Erhan Arat K. Lippire Art 6 5 March 2008 The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, is recognized by many to be the very first full length horror film. Coincidently, the lack of any audio other than music, greatly adds to the overall frightening tone of the film. Although there seems to be no camera movement or significant video editing, these outdated techniques do not undermine the films classy visual form. The way that the sets are styled, capture how the main character perceives his recollection of events took place in the film. As the end of the film is reached and we find out that the main character is mentally insane, the purpose of the unique set design begins to take shape. One of the most notable aspects of the building design as well as other various elements, are the uniquely shaped angles and pointed objects. The eerie tone throughout the city, seems to foreshadow the films horror element, and keep the viewer at the edge of their seat as they are certain some form of danger or evil is about to take place. In one scene, it is noticed that numerous characters are shown wearing very different hats. This adds to the filmmakers attempt to make absolutely no part of the set design or characters seem familiar to the audience. It makes the viewer feel completely out of place. On the other hand, the normal set design shown towards the end of the film, remind the viewer of the obscurity of the sets shown earlier in the film. One cannot help to think back as to how demented the recollections of events in Francis mind really are. It seems a

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message of this complexity would be impossible to portray with narrative dialog alone which makes the silent aspect of the film necessary. One last interesting aspect of the set design is shown in how the windows are made to appear. We do not see a conventional rectangular window shape, but instead see an asymmetrical hole in the building. At times, windows appear to be merely painted on the sides of buildings in certain parts of the set. This is evident when a shot of the overall city is shown. In reference to how the movie was shot, various color tints change the overall mood of the film and the setting. For example, when a night scene is being portrayed, a vivid blue tint is placed over the film resulting in a change of environment that creates an overall creepy and dark tone. In daytime, the color tint is shown in yellow to simulate sunlight. When a sense of calm and comfort take place, It is made clear in the set design as well. When showing the inside of Janes house, no longer are we captivated by a mysterious and unfamiliar setting. The tint of the film switches to a soothing pink, and no longer are edges jagged. Comfortable rounded edges fill the scene as the setting appears friendlier. The German Film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, 1919, uniquely portrays artistic expression primarily with the brilliance of its set design. Most of its emotional effect on the viewer resides in this area. The absence of any dialog clearly shows this films place as one of the first film works in existence.