The History of Horror Films

According to the website www.HorrorFilmHistory.com, Horror films first began in the 1860's with what's called spirit photography which was accompanied by a narrative style from the Grand Guignol Theatre Company and drawn from Gothic literature. They tell tales of folklore and old myths and legends from Europe.

Spirit Photography - The practice of using double exposures on a camera to create ghost looking people/objects within the frame of a film
To the right is an example of Spirit Photography.

The website HorrorFilmHistory states that according to the records the first ever horror film is 'Le Manoir du Diable'. It was created by Gorges Melies in 1896. The film is a silent film and involves: bats, magic, disapearing smoke and more spooky things that one might find in a horror film. Obviously, being the first horror film one can not expect this to be particularly frightening. Compared to present day horror films this isn't scary at all. Although this film may not be seen as scary now, it would have provided the audience (in 1986) witht he same suspense and thrill as a modern horror film would to it's present day audience now.

Since then, more horror films have been produced. early examples are as follows:

• The Cabinet of Dr Calgari (1919)
• The Golem (1915/1920)
• Dracula (1931)
• The Monster Walks (1932)
• The Black Cat (1934)
• The Walking Dead (1936)
• Buried Alive (1939)

Another well know horror film is Nosferatu which was created in 1922. The film is a well known German Expressionist film, directed by a man called F.W. Murnau. The film includes actor, Max Schreck as the vampire Count Orlok. The film was based on Bram Stoker's Dracula however without the permission needed which meant that the names of the characters and details had to be changed as Murnau was unsuccessful in obtaining the rights to the novel. The film actually had a score written for it which the orchestra would play while the film was screening. Sadly the score was lost and all that remains is other musicians improvisations or their own versions of the official sountrack to accompany the film. This shows that even some of the very first films had music to accompany them and create suspense. This makes me think more about including my own music to my horror opening which will enhance the horror element and build suspense and fright.