Original Greenlight Review:

Essay Plan
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

Question: How does German Expressionism play an integral role in The Cabinet of Dr.
Caligari (1920)?
Paragraph 1: Short film synopsis emphasizing the peculiar events and plot of the film, including the framing device and ending.

Paragraph 2: Define and explain the themes and historic-cultural significance of German Expressionism with reference to University Library. Use the
quote “extended into more areas of human intellectual endeavour, its adherents participating in agitation for and implementation of change in politics,
economics, social structures, publishing, music, film, theatre, architecture, painting and literature.”

Paragraph 3: Refer back to the themes of German Expressionism, particularly anti-authority, and relate them in context to the film with reference to
the British Film Institute. Analyse the character Cesare and the real-world context this possibly might have.

Paragraph 4: Delve into greater detail in regards to the theme of the abuse of authority in film with reference to From Caligari to Hitler by Siegfried
Kracauer. Examine the characters Dr. Caligari and his actions. Use quotes: “The character of Caligari embodies these tendencies ;
he stands for an unlimited authority”, “lust for domination, rutlilessly violates all human rights and values”, “Cesare is not so much a guilty murderer
as Caligari's innocent victim”.

Paragraph 5: Elaborate further on the context and themes of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and how they relate both to the narrative and real-world
context and have similar themes such as war to German expressionism. Examine the distorted and expressionist architecture seen throughout the film.
Reference sources from the book Horror and the Horror Film by Bruce F. Kwan the essay “Citizenship in a Nightmare Country:” German
Expressionist Film and Freud’s Dream Theory by Erica Tortolani using the quote from the latter: “By constructing a distorted dream landscape,
Caligari and Mabuse exploit the unstable, fragmented identity of post-war Germany”

Paragraph 6: Detail the theme of desire and psychology in relation to the film, namely how Cesare, Dr.Caligari and the protagonist Francis and the
general plot involving Caligari’s authority and how they link suppressed emotions and link to the theme of primitivism and nudity found in German
Expressionism. Reference Freud’s Worst Nightmare by Steven Jay Schneider with the quote:
This essay has proven that The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was highly influenced by the art movement of German
Expressionism and is demonstrated throughout the film through its narrative and production design. It has been shown
that the film was made in an era when German society was wrought with uncertainty and there was much frustration and
anxiety. This post-war sentiment is seen represented in the film as its eerie atmosphere, complex characters and twisted
set design; which inherits many of the same elements from the art movement. It has been thoroughly examined through
other sources such academic essays, scholarly books and film websites.
 Illustrations to be Used

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 Proposed Bibliography
Bibliography
Hutchinson, P. (2017, June 8). 10 great German Expressionist films. Retrieved from BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/lists/10-great-
german-expressionist-films (web site)

Kawin, B. F. (2012). Horror and the Horror Film. London: ANTHEM PRESS. (Book)

KRACAUER, S. (1966). FROM CALIGARI TO HITLER. Kansas City: Princeton University Press. (Book)

Schneider, S. J. (2004). Freud's Worst Nightmare. New York: Cambridge University Press. (Book)

Tortolani, E. (2013). “Citizenship in a Nightmare Country:” German Expressionist Film and Freud’s Dream Theory . Providence: Digital Initiatives Press:
Rhode Island College. (Essay)

University Library. (2018, August 15). German Expressionism Collection. Retrieved from University Library:
https://lib.guides.umd.edu/c.php?g=326833&p=2194181