Nosferatu the Vampyre 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		0.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		2.0

Nosferatu the Vampyre 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Stephen Larson December 23, 2025

Three prior editions of Werner Herzog's Nosferatu (1979) have been covered on our site by my colleagues. Dr. Svet Atanasov wrote about Studio Canal's 2013 BD and the BFI's 2014 SteelBook while Jeff Kauffman reviewed Scream Factory's 2014 "Collector's Edition". To read Svet and Jeff's insights and analyses of the film, as well as the discs' a/v presentations, please refer to the linked reviews above.

Nosferatu is also a voyeur.

Nosferatu the Vampyre 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The following text appears in the BFI's booklet as part of its 2014 box set, The Werner Herzog Collection:

The English and German versions of Nosferatu were scanned at 2K, using a combination of original 35mm negative and best available 35mm print materials, by Alpha-Omega Digital GmbH in Germany. Digital remastering was undertaken by the BFI, at Deluxe Soho.

Scanning supervisor Thomas Bakels (Alpha-Omega Digital GmbH)
Colourist Steve Bearman (Deluxe Soho)
Remastering Tom Barrett (Deluxe Soho)
Thanks to Mark Bonnici and Graham Jones (Deluxe Soho); Lucki Stipetic (Werner Herzog Film GmbH)

The following is printed in the booklet for the BFI's 2025 4K Ultra HD release:

Nosferatu the Vampyre appears in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with original mono German and English audio. An alternative 5.1 Surround mix of the German soundtrack is also included. The original 35mm negative was scanned at 4K resolution and remastered in high dynamic range with Dolby Vision by Alpha-Omega Digital GmbH in Germany. Digital remastering was undertaken by the BFI, at Deluxe Soho.

Scanning supervisor Thomas Bakels (Alpha-Omega Digital GmbH)
Thanks to Lucki Stipetic (Werner Herzog Film GmbH)
Technical producers Douglas Weir, Peter Stanley (BFI)
Disc producer Upekha Bandaranayake
Disc authoring Fidelity in Motion

I first became familiar with Alpha-Omega Digital when I saw its restoration work for Lubitsch's Das Weib des Pharao (The Loves of Pharaoh, 1926), which was part of my dissertation. That was a stunning restoration so it's most disappointing to see what they have done to one of Herzog's masterworks. Since this 4K UHD release in late September, the Blu-ray.com forums have been filled with voluminous posts on the application of AI to the transfer. I have built a graphical comparison in this review of Alpha-Omega's latest restoration on this disc along with screen captures from the BFI's 2014 disc and Scream Factory's 4K UHD. (I discuss other transfers in my review of Scream's two-disc set.) The picture comes with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible). The disc incorporates a Medium Enhancement Layer (MEL). There has been a substantial degree of DNR applied to the image, although I could notice a layer of faux grain from time to time. For example, I could see the grain field in a scene with Dr. van Helsing (Walter Ladengast) in a prison. (See Screenshot #4.) But more often than not, the 4K transfer has been filtered. It has also been artificially brightened when compared side by side to Scream's transfer. Colors appear off and sometimes drained compared to the image on the two other releases. The image assumes a milky appearance for the daytime scenes set in Wismar and at the Harker residence. Green is the only color that appears natural. Moreover, look at how poor the contrast comes off in frame grab #12.

Note: all screen captures in this review are retrieved from the German cut.

Screenshot #s 1-10, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, & 39 = BFI 2025 4K Ultra HD BD-100 (downscaled to 1080p)
Screenshot #s 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, & 38 = BFI 2014 BD-50
Screenshot #s 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, & 40 = Scream Factory 2025 4K Ultra HD (downscaled to 1080p)

Nosferatu the Vampyre 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The BFI has supplied an LPCM 1.0 mono track for both the German and English cuts as well as a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 remix for the German version. I listened to the monaural mix in the original German audio. The track experiences fluctuations in pitch levels. For example, it becomes audibly louder when we are introduced to Renfield (Roland Topor) and he begins speaking to Jonathan Harker (Bruno Ganz). During another scene, I did notice some static and distortion in the upper ranges. Fortunately, the mono doesn't have any scratchy noises or dropouts.

Screenshot #s 6-10 show the BFI's optional English subtitles.

Nosferatu the Vampyre 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary with Director Werner Herzog and Norman Hill (1999) - this archival track was originally recorded for the ROAN Group's LaserDisc Classics widescreen edition. Herzog explains how Nosferatu's locations have a personal connection to him and Murnau's eponymous silent film. The director details the differences between the title character in his picture and the Murnau work. Also, he describes how his framings differ from those typically seen in a Hollywood film. At two points in the commentary, Herzog delves into how Twentieth Century Fox reacted to some of the footage he shot and cuts the studio asked him to make. He tells how he acquired all of the rats. Both Herzog and Hill are not fans of Coppola's adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) and explain why here. Overall, this is a very good commentary. In English, not subtitled.

• Audio Commentary with Director Werner Herzog and Producer Laurens Straub (2007) - this feature-length German track was recorded for Kinowelt Home Entertainment's R2 DVD. As good as the first commentary is with Herzog and Hill, this one is even better. Herzog goes into a lot more depth and detail about the locations he filmed in and covers all major scenes. He also describes the weather conditions during the shoot. Herzog also talks about the actors who contributed supporting roles. He also speaks about the difficulty of working with Klaus Kinski on this film and other projects. Both Straub and Herzog draw parallels between Nosferatu (1979) and The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974). While this track has a few brief gaps, it is a great commentary! Herzog and Straub each speak in German, which are accompanied with English subtitles.

• EXCLUSIVE Introduction by Mark Kermode (2016) (2:24, 1080p) - Kermode gives a brief intro about both Murnau and Herzog's versions of Nosferatu. In English, not subtitled.

• NEW & EXCLUSIVE Contracting Vampirism: A Copyright History of NOSFERATU (2025) (15:08, 1080p) - this recent video essay was made by filmmaker and photographer Nic Wassell, who delivers a very fine overview of the complicated copyright issues that have plagued Bram Stoker's Dracula since its initial publication. Wassell discusses Stoker's literary career, including his stint as a theatre critic, which probably inspired him to pen an adaptation of his novel for the stage. Wassell also talks about the copyright suit Stoker's widow filed against the production company that helmed Murnau's Nosferatu (1922). In addition, he broaches the character names that Herzog reinstated for his version of the Dracula story. Narrated in English, not subtitled.

• EXCLUSIVE Screen Talk: Werner Herzog (2016) (1:08:48, 1080p) - Herzog reflects on his career in this on-stage interview with broadcaster Francine Stock at the BFI London Film Festival. The filmmaker reminisces about his childhood and when he began making movies. Stock and Herzog cover portions of the latter's career, although Nosferatu is not mentioned. Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972) and Fitzcarraldo (1982) are given the most coverage among the German auteur's earlier works. Given that Into the Inferno was then one his most recent features, it is discussed in some detail. Herzog tells some memorable stories about Dieter Dengler (and working on Little Dieter Needs to Fly and Rescue Dawn) as well as Timothy Treadwell and Grizzly Man (2005). The full talk is in English, not subtitled.

• Making of Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) (13:04, upscaled to 1080p) - Herzog discusses the film and his philosophy of filmmaking alongside behind-the-scenes footage of the cast and crew.

• Original Theatrical Trailer (2:05, 1080p) - this is more of a teaser trailer for Nosferatu. It is primarily assembled from film stills. It makes extensive use of Alois Gromer performing on sitar for Popol Vuh's soundtrack for the film. While in good shape, the trailer looks noisy with compression artifacts.

• Stills Gallery (3:33, 1080p) - a moving slide show of 42 distinct images (in color and B&W) which chronicle the making of Nosferatu (1979). A number of stills show Herzog and his camera team on location.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

• Booklet

Nosferatu the Vampyre 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I hope that the BFI doesn't continue to license restorations in which they don't have input into the color grade or the possible application of AI. Alpha-Omega Digital did a much better job of restoring Nosferatu (1979) in the early 2010s than it did with this processed mess. The only reason to consider picking up this release is for the extras, which can also be found on the BFI's standard Blu-ray edition. But keep away from the AI presentation.