I have watched several German Expressionist Cinema films. These include the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (twice) and Metropolis both by Fritz Lang. The former is the shortest and, perhaps, most stylish and abstract of the, at least, three Expressionist films I have seen.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is short and very artistic. The sets a done in a manner which can be seen is an Otto Dix painting. I like the style of the German Expressionists and Dr. Caligari does not let down in style. Yet the film is short, only fifty-two minutes.
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse is longer. I'm not even sure if it can be considered Expressionist, because it is after the Weimar period, 1933, but before the Nazis and the post WWII period. It is also a talkie, which Cabinet and Metropolis are not. I have seen Mabuse twice, once before this post and once specifically for this post. Everything about the film is of high quality. It is probably comparable to any James Gagne films or Gangster movies of the times. The narrative is full of twists and turns and has several expressionistic flourishes.
Metropolis is, perhaps, the best Expressionist film made during the Weimar period. It's camera work is beyond average, and the futuristic models create an atmosphere unlike any film for it's time period. It's theme pre-dates other films that deal with the crisis of Capitalism and class conflict. The film is futuristic but very relevant to the 1920s. I have seen the film at least twice and each time I have been mesmerized by its stage designs and narrative. A great film.
German Expressionist Cinema came about during the inter-war years. It significantly reflects the painting style of German Expressionism. The warped stage designs are no accident. As well as the dark lighting. It amazed me how much these films resembled the painting of Dix and others. I really enjoyed watching the films They were such a departure from other films of it's era.
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