German Expressionism (Research)

German Expressionism refers to a number of related creative movements beginning in Germany before the First World War that reached a peak in Berlin, during the 1920s. These developments in Germany were part of a larger Expressionist movement in north and central European culture. This article deals with the cinematic part of that movement. For the German movement including German Expressionism see the article Expressionism. For Theatre see Expressionist theatre. For Architecture see Expressionist architecture. For music see Expressionism (music). For dance see Expressionist dance.

The first Expressionist films, The Student of Prague directed by Stellan Rye, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) directed by Robert Wiene, The Golem(1920) directed by Paul Wegener , Destiny (1921) directed by Fritz Lang, Nosferatu(1922) directed by F.W. Murnau, Phantom (1922) directed by F.W. Murnau, Schatten (1923) directed by Arthur Robison , and The Last Laugh (1924) directed by F.W. Murnau , and were highly symbolic and stylized.

German silent cinema was arguably far ahead of cinema in Hollywood. As well as the direct influence of film makers who moved from Germany to Hollywood developments in style and technique which were developed through Expressionism in Germany impressed contemporary film makers from elsewhere and were incorporated into their work and so into the body of international cinema from the 1930s onward.

Stylistic elements taken from German Expressionism are common today in films that do not need reference to real places such as science fiction films (especially Ridley Scott's 1982 film Blade Runner and the many films influenced by it).

Ambitious adaptations of the style are depicted throughout the contemporary filmography of director Tim Burton. His 1992 film Batman Returns is often cited as a modern attempt to capture the essence of German Expressionism. The angular building designs and severe-looking city squares of Gotham City evoke the loom and menace present in Lang's Metropolis.