Shadow of the Vampire MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +1 1/2 Content: -2 1/2

In the early days of cinema, when feature length black-and-white silent movies are still in their infancy, innovative director F. W. Murnau (John Malkovich) wants to bring Bram Stokers Dracula legend to the screen. But the Stoker estate refuses to cooperate. Undaunted, the director takes his actors and crew to a remote city where filming begins on the story renamed Nosferatu. Murnau has hired an unknown method character actor Max Schrek (Willem Dafoe) to play Count Orlof, the vampire. But crew members begin disappearing or dying as rumors imply Schrek may be a real vampire. And leading lady, Greta (Catherine McCormack), may be Schreks payment for the film. Limited audiences may enjoy this humorous but less than accurate look at film history.

Set in the early 1920s, the R-rated film avoids using frequent obscenities although the f-word gets used a few times. But use of Jesus as an expletive, along with other profanity, gets numerous airings. Decadent nightclubs feature sex acts and private rooms for patrons to indulge in quiet, drug injections. The dialogue references drug use several times and in one scene, Murnau seems to be sleeping off the effects. Drugs are also injected into Greta before her final scene. An earlier scene shows a giggling Greta, apparently under the influence, taking off her blouse. Although limited, violent scenes show bloody necks, shootings, and struggles. One gross scene even shows Orlock plucking a bat out of the air to eat. SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE is not on the recommended list.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Lions Gate Films, 2 Bloor Str. W., Ste. 1901, Toronto, ON M4W 3E2, Canada