You may find the rest of his work dissimilar to Vampyr.
Keeping with the Gothic theme “Day of Wrath” would be a logical next step.
I’ve seen that box set around for a good price and it is essential.
Ordet is possibly my favorite film ever. Nothing like Vampyr really but worth a try. Truly, I think, one of the most beautiful films ever made IMHO.
Among the famous ones, I like Michael VERY much.
The Passion of Joan of Arc. One of the best silent films I have ever seen. Michael is also really good. Leaves from Satans Book as well. I haven’t really seen his sound films beside Vampyr, but I think that he really wanted to make that film silent. I don’t remember where I heard that from. I think it was the studio’s decision to do that because of the increasing use of sound. I hear a lot of people say that Ordet is the best, but I’ve never seen it. One of the deans at the film school would never stop talking about it when someone brought it up.
“Passion of Joan of Arc” is essential. Just can’t be overstated. The magical timelessness of the images combined with the crass realities of what the judges are trying to do to her make for a monument you simply can’t walk around. In places it feels like a documentary from the Middle Ages.
I have (shamefully enough) only seen part of “Ordet” (The Word). The use of silence in it is something I don’t think anyone has ever bettered.
Passion of Joan of Arc, Day of Wrath, Ordet and Gertrude are must sees. I like all of his films that I have seen.
Gertrud! It takes some dedication, but that movie is life-and-cinema changing in the same with Psycho or Last Year at Marienbad is: a totally new thing, shocking and beautiful.
chicago
I recently saw Vampyr for the first time and absolutely love the way that Carl Dreyer did that film. But I haven’t seen any more of his work. What would you recommend? I see that Criterion offers a box set on some of his work, do any of you have that? Would you recommend that for an novice cinephile? What else by him or even other directors or films that I may enjoy having loved Vampyr.
Thanks!