Phantom (1922) - F. W. Murnau

With a film title like Phantom, and a director like Murnau, who's three previous films all contained elements of the super natural, the title of this film might seem really misleading. Once I realized the film had nothing to do with Phantoms or spirits, you quickly had to reassess the picture. The film is more melodrama, and a little downbeat. However the picture despite being completely non-specific about time or place, the picture does comment on the economic situation of then present day Germany. The film is pretty much all about money, and the lack of it. Murnau disposes of most of the expressionistic touches of the film. However parts of the film use some tricks. The film is probably more closely related to impressionistic film. This is evident in the nightclub scene, where delirium is rendered with a very subjective scene. The film was thankfully unearthed and restored, perhaps not to its original glory, but far better than any previously available prints. Luckily at the same time a print of The Haunted Castle was unearthed, so I can only hope that film can come back.