HORROR classic Nosferatu creeps its way on to Blu-ray on Monday.

F.W. Murnau's 1922 silent film, now approaching a century old, has been remastered by the British Film Institute for a new generation.

And although belonging to another era and obviously showing its age, it is great to see where it all began for gothic cinema.

Murnau's German film was the first adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula and actor Max Schreck is just as chilling as he ever was as bald, bat-eared, rabbit-toothed Count Orlok with hideous claw-like hands.

It is clear to see why Count Orlok became an icon of horror which other filmmakers have paid tribute to in the likes of Werner Herzog's Nosferatu and E. Elias Merhige's Shadow of the Vampire.

A story about greed and seduction, Nosferatu sees Count Orlok express an interest in moving from Transylvania to the fictional German city of Wisborg.

So Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) who works for the grasping estate agent Knock (Alexander Granach) goes on an expedition to meet him.

Awoken by Hutter's blood, Count Orlok is slowly able to put the city under his spell.

A sense of unease permeates the whole film but Murnau also allows the viewers to enjoy the quirky characters in Wisborg.

The film's subtext about suspicion of outsiders, fear of disease and hysteria is also as relevant today as it was in 1922.

The only disappointment is the film's abrupt and poor ending which does not match expectations of the cunning Count Orlok.

- Nosferatu is released on Blu-ray on Monday

DAVID MORGAN