Genuine: A Tale of a Vampire (1920) is a German silent horror film directed by Robert Wiene, created as a stylistic follow‑up to his landmark expressionist classic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Although the English title suggests vampirism, the character Genuine is not a literal vampire but a “vamp” or succubus‑like seductress who manipulates and destroys the men who fall under her spell.
The film uses surreal, angular sets designed by Cesar Klein, echoing the expressionist style of Caligari. The story unfolds as a dream experienced by a painter who becomes obsessed with his portrait of Genuine — a framing device that reinforces the film’s dreamlike, psychological tone.
Film Details
Title: Genuine: A Tale of a Vampire
Original Title: Genuine, die Tragödie eines seltsamen Hauses
Year: 1920
Genre: Silent Horror / Expressionism
Director: Robert Wiene
Screenplay: Carl Mayer
Produced by: Erich Pommer
Starring: Fern Andra, Hans Heinrich von Twardowski, Ernst Gronau, Harald Paulsen
Cinematography: Willy Hameister
Production Company: Decla‑Bioscop AG
Distributed by: Decla‑Bioscop‑Verleih
Release Date: 2 September 1920 (Berlin)
Runtime: 88 minutes (original cut); 43‑minute condensed version widely circulated
Country: Germany
Language: Silent (German intertitles)
Plot Overview
A painter named Percy becomes obsessed with his portrait of Genuine, a legendary priestess. Falling asleep while reading about her, he dreams that she comes to life, is sold into slavery, and begins manipulating the men around her — ultimately driving them to murder and madness. The film ends by revealing that the entire story was a dream.
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