In this horror movie Dr Caligari and his somnambulist (someone walking in your dream) called Cesare who carries out evil deeds for him. This was also the first film to include an anti climatic twist at the end of the story. This can be one of the reasons for Tim Burton’s great interests.
I have also noticed that this horror movie uses the ‘Dutch Angle’. This is a cinematic tactic where the camera is tilted to its side so that that horizon meets the bottom of the frame at the angle. This often signifies feelings of imbalance, inequality, psychological, uneasiness, discomfort and horror.
Tim Burton has been greatly influenced by the house design in Das cabinet des Dr. Caligari. This is because the Mise En Scene has not only been portrayed exaggerated but the landscape seems to be very effective. This is because there are sloping walls which signifies claustrophobia. The twisted alleyways are also shadowy, distorted and twisted. There also seems to be lopsided doors and overhanging buildings. This gives the viewers an expressionistic style. This can be defined as a nightmare but seems to be more realistic.
