History of the horror genre

HISTORY OF THE HORROR GENRE Interpreting monsters into bodily form, back in the 1860s the first horror films were disturbingly surreal, which became existent from the popularity of spirit photography – the representation of ghosts within a frame through the use of superimpositions or double exposures - which was then made into a film. Back in the nineteenth century, it was natural to transform the superimposition technique to a more renowned technology for people enjoyed seeing ghosts to tell bizarre illusory tales.

The first moving pictures, as they were referred to back then, were action and comedy. However, early filmmakers used photographic deception to explore the supernatural themes, these are recognized as the first horror films – early filmmakers objected to make the audience on edge; to challenge their beliefs.

The early interest in macabre – “disturbing and horrifying because of involvement with or depiction of death and injury” – resulted in the creation by the Lumière brothers in 1895 showcasing a dancing skeleton. Auguste and Louis Lumière are credited as the first ever filmmakers in history. The term ‘horror genre’ wasn’t recognized back then, they were referred to as ‘spook tales’.

Georges Méliès, famous filmmaker and French illusionist in the earliest days of cinema, created the first horror film on record called Le Manoir du Diable in 1896. The film itself is a pantomimed sketch in a theatrical fantasized style of the paradigms where it visualizes bats, devils, witches, cauldrons, ghosts and trolls, all emerging and diminishing in puffs of smoke. Georges initiated this film to evoke amusement and wonder; however, because of the theme as well as the involvement of a bat, it’s considered the first horror and vampire film. This film ran for just over 3 minutes.

The cabinet of dr caligari (1919) – directed by Robert Wiene and wrote by Carl Wayer and Hans Janowitz - is cited as the ‘granddaddy of all horror films’. The film left viewers confused as to who was mad or sane; the haunting and imaginative film showcased a skewed take on reality, which left audiences disturbed.