If you are into German cinema, you are familiar with the director I will discuss here. If not, you first need to know that F.W. Murnau was a highly influential German film director during the silent era back in the early 1920s.
He is considered one of the pioneers of German Expressionist cinema, and his work continues to be studied and admired for its visual artistry and innovative techniques. Even though he died almost a century ago, there are still some traces of F. W. Murnau in Berlin, and I’m here to share them with you.
But, before I talk about F. W. Murnau in Berlin, let me say something about his career:
F.W. Murnau in Berlin: A Guide to His Life, Films, and Lasting Impact
F. W. Murnau studied art history and literature before serving in World War I. After the war, he began his film career directing short films and then moved on to feature films.
Some of his most famous works include “Nosferatu” (1922), an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” The film was not a commercial success due to copyright issues with the author’s estate. Still, it is considered a masterpiece of German Expressionist cinema and an early cult film. It’s also the reason I went to Lübeck a few years ago.
He is well-known for his groundbreaking use of subjective camera movement in “The Last Laugh” (1924) and “Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans” (1927), two visually stunning romantic dramas made in Hollywood.
His films often used Expressionist techniques, such as distorted sets, dramatic lighting, and exaggerated acting, to create a heightened emotional atmosphere and explore psychological themes.
Murnau’s films prioritized visual expression over dialogue, using innovative camera techniques, lighting, and set design to create evocative and atmospheric worlds. This emphasis on visual storytelling influenced directors like Orson Welles (“Citizen Kane”), Alfred Hitchcock (“Vertigo”), and Terrence Malick (“The Tree of Life”), who also sought to convey emotions and ideas through imagery and cinematic language. Murnau’s films, particularly “Nosferatu,” helped establish horror cinema’s visual language. The use of shadows, ominous lighting, and distorted figures to create a sense of unease and dread became hallmarks of the genre, influencing countless horror films.
One interesting aspect of Murnau’s career is that it spanned Germany and Hollywood, allowing him to influence filmmaking on both sides of the Atlantic. His work inspired German Expressionist filmmakers and American directors like John Ford and William Wyler.
Nowadays, F.W. Murnau’s films continue to be studied and admired by filmmakers and film scholars alike, serving as a testament to his enduring legacy and lasting impact on cinema. His innovative techniques, visual style, and thematic depth continue to inspire and challenge filmmakers today, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in storytelling through film.
If you have never watched any of his movies, I hope this article will convince you to try them out.
Exploring F.W. Murnau’s Berlin: From Grunewald Grave to the Boulevard of Stars
F.W. Murnau Grave in Stahnsdorf
In a tragic turn of events, F.W. Murnau met his untimely demise on March 10, 1931. Just days before the premiere of his latest film, Tabu, a car accident on the Pacific Coast Highway claimed his life.
A memorial service was held in Hollywood, attended by stars of the film industry, before his body was transported back to his native Germany for burial. Greta Garbo, a fellow European transplant and admirer of Murnau’s work, had a death mask of the director created, which she kept on her desk during her years in Hollywood.
However, the story doesn’t end there. In July 2015, Murnau’s final resting place in Südwestkirchhof Stahnsdorf Cemetery was desecrated in an unusual set of circumstances. His skull was stolen, and although wax residue found at the scene hinted at a possible occult motive, the perpetrators and their intentions remain shrouded in mystery.
This macabre incident has cast a shadow over the legacy of one of cinema’s most visionary figures, leaving an enduring question mark alongside his undeniable contributions to the art form. His skull has not been recovered since. Lately, I have seen some posters around Ostkreuz asking the following question: Where is the head of F.W. Murnau?
I have been to the Südwestkirchhof Stahnsdorf cemetery a few times to take pictures of the church from the series Dark. During my first visit, I discovered his grave.
F.W. Murnau former residence in Grunewald
During the years when F.W. Murnau lived and worked in Berlin, his residence was in a beautiful part of town. From 1919 to 1926, he lived on the forest’s edge on a quiet street in Grunewald.
Today, the Corps Borussia Berlin, a student association, occupies the house. But there is still a trace of F. W. Murnau in the house where he used to live. In front of it is a memorial plaque presenting the importance of this place in the history of German cinema.
I visited the area during a bike ride in the spring of 2024. I remember cycling around and thinking about how different this area must have been when F. W. Murnau was still alive and living in Berlin.
F.W. Murnau in the German Cinema Museum and the Boulevard der Stars
There is one place in Berlin where F.W. Murnau is celebrated daily: the German Cinema Museum. His work is presented across different parts of the museum, focusing on his fantastic job with “Nosferatu” (1922) and his role in shaping what became known as German Expressionism.
But there is more to it. Just outside of the Cinema Museum, you will find the Boulevard der Stars, a small version of the famous sidewalk covered in stars that you have in Hollywood. The main difference is that the Boulevard der Stars is focused on German cinema; there, you will find stars celebrating Daniel Brühl, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Werner Herzog, and Marlene Dietrich.
F.W. Murnau got his own star in a ceremony in September 2012, and you can visit it today. But I’m not sure how long it will stay there since the Boulevard der Stars seems to have been abandoned for a few years now, especially with all the changes that have been going on in Potsdamer Platz. Still, F.W. Murnau has his star there.
F.W. Murnau in Berlin: A Cinematic Pilgrimage for Film Enthusiasts
F.W. Murnau left a multi-dimensional legacy in Berlin. It includes the enduring impact of his films, the unsettling story of his stolen skull, and the subtle tributes scattered in surprising places around the city.
F.W. Murnau’s films transcend their silent era origins, addressing timeless themes of love, loss, and the human condition. His innovative techniques inspire filmmakers, proving that true artistry has no expiration date. As you walk in his footsteps through Berlin, remember that Murnau’s spirit lives on – not just in the flickering images of his masterpieces but in the very fabric of the city itself.
