The Other in Nosferatu and Dr. Mabuse the Gambler

In the Early years of film one can easily say that Germany lead the way in experimentation, with such striking examples as Dr. Caligari, Nosferatu and Dr. Mabuse the Gambler. How when looking at two of these film, Nosferatu and Dr Mabuse the Gambler one can find a similar theme that run throughout. This theme is that of Weimar’s insecurity about outsiders and otherness different cultures. While both films have different stories at their very simplest both films see someone come into the idyllic lives of the protagonist not only wrecking their lives but the lives of ordinary people as well. It’s worth noting that borth Nosferatu and Dr. Mabuse the Gambler were filmed in the turbulent early 20’s of the Weimar period where Germany was still dealing with the aftermath of the war and outside powers such as France encroaching on German territory and at the same time political unrest had reached its high. With all these changes going on it easy to see why Germany might have felt that outsider were at work trying to remold modern Germany. This is why in these turbulent early years befor the Weimar Golden age we see such strong use of the other/outsider as a stand in for events taken place in Germany

In Nosferatu this take the form of Count Orlok/Dracula who comes from outside Germany, bringing with him death and disease. The most often assumed identity of Orloks otherness in that of the anti-Sematic stereotypical depiction of Jew’s. This comes from Orloks facial characteristics such as his hooked noes, long ears and bushy eyebrows. In addition, Count Orlok brings with him rats that spread the plague, a theme that had leveled against Jews senses the Middle Ages. Orlok represents Jews also played into the idea that Jews and Communi...

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