"The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"

I am used to watching films in class because I have taken several film classes, but I have never watched a silent film before seeing, “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.” I have seen an Expressionism film (Suspiria), so it was easy to tell that Expressionism was portrayed throughout with the use of shadows and irregular shapes.  All things were misshaped such as, the doors, windows, shadows of the people, and even the posters they carried at the fair.  The use of lighting is very distinct as well.  The lights and darks to create the shadows do make the film somewhat of a horror, as mentioned in the lecture. It shows the light and dark that people feel, the insecurities and anxieties people have especially in Germany during that time. They also reflect the dramatic mood of the characters (Dr. Caligari) and film.  Having dramatized the scenery in the film was brilliant, it really set the mood for what was trying to be portrayed. 

“The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” is what starts the scene. You are looking at a crowd of people who gather in the tent of Dr. Caligari to watch the Somnambulist, who can “read the future.”  The scene is dark and you are unsure of what to predict just expected to believe.  The music adds to this unsure feeling of the crowd and also of Germany at that time.  Dr. Caligari tells them what is happening is real, pretty much they should believe what he is saying, they are all being brainwashed and no one questions or comments that what he says and shows may not be the case.  Hitler after WWI was the same, and could be related Dr. Caligari.  Making everyone believe and like his way and methods, he controlled people just as Dr. Caligari controlled the people watching and the somnambulist to murder.