Magical narratives are stories that happen in two dimensions: the real world and the magical or mysterious world. The second dimension is always full of controversy, as not everyone can perceive it. Magic can often be explained through skeptical analysis and people talking about the mysterious world are often considered psychologically unhealthy. An example of a magical narrative is Nosferatu the Vampyre directed by Herzog (1979) as it offers a tale that includes two dimensions.
One of the most vivid examples of the dualistic narration is the phenomenon of the ghost ship that arrives at Wismar populated only by rats and dead people. From the skeptical point of view, all the crewmembers died from the plague that was brought to the ship by rats.
However, the magical explanation of the matter differs considerably, as it was Count Dracula who killed all the people on board. Lucy was trying to warn the townspeople about the danger, and nobody believed her, as she was considered maddened by death spreading around the town. Therefore, the ship coming to Wismar is a magnificent illustration of the two dimensions in magical narratives.
The second example of the movie’s dual nature is Dracula’s death. The vampire dies as the sun touches his skin after a fight with Lucy. Dr. Van Helsing arrives at the house to witness Lucy’s death and triumph over evil. However, Herzog (1979) lets a careful viewer wonder if the matter was real, as Johnathan blames Van Helsing for his wife’s death. In short, the film leaves the question of Lucy’s death open for discussion.
In conclusion, Nosferatu the Vampyre is a vivid illustration of the dualistic world that includes the magical and the ordinary dimensions that interweave to create a masterpiece.
Reference
Herzog, M. (Producer/Director). (1979). Nosferatu the Vampyre. Germany: Werner Herzog Filmproduktion.