The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

1920 film by Robert Wiene

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (German: Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari) is a 1920 German silent movie. It was directed by Robert Wiene. Conrad Veidt stars. It is a German Expressionist movie. It is one of the greatest horror movies of the silent era. The movie uses stylized sets with abstract, jagged buildings painted on canvas backdrops. These unique sets gave off a strong sense of theater. The actors used an unrealistic technique that exhibited jerky and dancelike movements. This movie introduced the "twist ending" in movies.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Directed byRobert Wiene
Written byHans Janowitz
Carl Mayer
Produced byRudolf Meinert
Erich Pommer
StarringWerner Krauss
Conrad Veidt
Friedrich Fehér
Lil Dagover
Hans Twardowski
CinematographyWilly Hameister
Music byGiuseppe Becce
Distributed byDecla-Bioscop (Germany)
Goldwyn Distributing Company (US)
Release dates
  • February 26, 1920 (1920-02-26) (Germany)
  • March 19, 1921 (1921-03-19) (United States)
Running time
71 minutes
CountryWeimar Republic
LanguagesSilent film
German intertitles
BudgetDEM 20,000 (estimated)

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