A selection of interesting feature films from the public domain.
The quinissential 60's camp Scifi/Horror film. A brilliant scientist keeps the severed head of his wife alive after she is involved in a car crash. These days the film leaves me thinking one thing - is this what Ted Williams' progeny had in mind?
A prime example of the exploitation film that is now considered high-comedy (pun intended.) The film was rumored to have been funded by the US Government but, alas, it's origins are far more banal - the producers wanted to skirt the Motion Picture Code of Ethics (which prevents on screen portrayals of drug use) and hence adopted an instructive form.
Often cited as the first true horror film this is also the most well known example of German expressionist film making. The kanted camera and nightmare inspired mise-en-cine live on today in the works of Tim Burton, Sam Raimi and many others.
Regarded as the prime example of Russian montage film making and probably director Sergei Eisenstein's most well known work. Must viewing for anyone interesting in understanding the dialectic nature of film editing.
F.W. Murnau's adaption of Bram Stoker's Dracula is a masterpiece and one of the earliest examples of the horror genre. Many of the genre conventions employed here live on today - the slow moving murderous villain, the screaming and seemingly paralized damsel. Remade by Werner Herzog in 1979.
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