Genuine: A Tale of a Vampire (1920) is a German silent horror film directed by Robert Wiene, created as a stylistic follow‑up to his landmark expressionist classic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Although the English title suggests vampirism, the character Genuine is not a literal vampire but a “vamp” or succubus‑like seductress who manipulates and destroys the men who fall under her spell. <br /><br />The film uses surreal, angular sets designed by Cesar Klein, echoing the expressionist style of Caligari. The story unfolds as a dream experienced by a painter who becomes obsessed with his portrait of Genuine — a framing device that reinforces the film’s dreamlike, psychological tone. <br /><br />Film Details<br />Title: Genuine: A Tale of a Vampire<br />Original Title: Genuine, die Tragödie eines seltsamen Hauses <br />Year: 1920<br />Genre: Silent Horror / Expressionism<br />Director: Robert Wiene<br />Screenplay: Carl Mayer<br />Produced by: Erich Pommer<br />Starring: Fern Andra, Hans Heinrich von Twardowski, Ernst Gronau, Harald Paulsen<br />Cinematography: Willy Hameister<br />Production Company: Decla‑Bioscop AG<br />Distributed by: Decla‑Bioscop‑Verleih<br />Release Date: 2 September 1920 (Berlin)<br />Runtime: 88 minutes (original cut); 43‑minute condensed version widely circulated<br />Country: Germany<br />Language: Silent (German intertitles) <br /><br />Plot Overview<br />A painter named Percy becomes obsessed with his portrait of Genuine, a legendary priestess. Falling asleep while reading about her, he dreams that she comes to life, is sold into slavery, and begins manipulating the men around her — ultimately driving them to murder and madness. The film ends by revealing that the entire story was a dream. <br /><br />#Genuine1920 #RobertWiene #GermanExpressionism #SilentHorror #FernAndra #WeimarCinema #CaligariEra #1920sFilm #ExpressionistHorror
