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 outlining the peculiar events and plot of the film so that those who have not seen it or know little of it.

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, ruthlessly 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 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. Discuss and
define Freudian ideas with reference to his book The Interpretation of Dreams with the quote: “their wish-fulfilment is disguised beyond recognition, precisely
because there is a strong revulsion against - a will to repress - the subject-matter of the dream”. Reference Freud’s Worst Nightmare by Steven Jay Schneider with the
quote: “the somnambulistic monster can be interpreted as a nightmarish embodiment of his creator ’ s repressed desires and, in this respect, stands as his double”.
 Outline of Conclusion

This essay has proven that The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) 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. Sources sorted include essays, books and
websites.
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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)

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

Freud, S. (1911). Interpretation of dreams (Third Edition). Vienna: Franz Deuticke.