In the Shadow of the Guillotine (54 minutes), Juve versus Fantomas (59 minutes), The Murderous Corpse (90 minutes), Fantomas versus Fantomas (59 minutes), The False Magistrate (70 minutes). find out more...

Murnau's version of the story of the man who sold his soul to the Devil in return for youth is visually extraordinary but uneven in terms of dramatic effect. Certainly, its opening scenes (the prologue between an Angel and Satan, and the temptation of Faust, after which Mephistopheles takes him on an astonishing, beautiful journey through the skies) easily hold the attention, but a long central section, portraying Faust's courtship of Marguerite, sits awkwardly with what has preceded it. The fin find out more...

Seminal vampire film, the first to be based upon the Bram Stoker tale. An estate agent's clerk from Bremen embarks on a journey to Orlock's castle, where a client of his resides. On arrival, the full horror of the inhabitants confront him. Wonderful imagery and direction. Imitated but never equalled. find out more...

A stunning portrayal of innocent and erotic obsession based on Wede-kind's 'Lulu' plays. Lulu's guilelessly provocative sexuality leads her from a gaggle of Berlin lovers and admirers, a lesbian countess, a newspaper editor, the latter's son, etc, to a squalid garret in London, where she finds her Thanatos in the shape of Jack the Ripper. Louise Brooks's legendary performance and Pabst's brilliantly acute direction both remain enthralling. Haunting and unforgettable, a superbly atmospheric film. find out more...

At the turn of the 20th century, the film industry sought to elevate its lowbrow status by imitating the theatre. While cinemas decked themselves out like theatres, filmmakers signed up stage stars and turned to the classics. Shakespeare provided the greatest challenge, especially since many of the films made before the First World War were only one or two reels long. Plays included on this compilation are The Tempest (1908), King Lear (1910), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1909), Twelfth Night (191 find out more...

A more intimate and low key affair than much of Murnau's other work. Using the technique of film within film, Murnau gives a contemporaneous setting to the classic Molière play. A devious housekeeper sets about persuading her master to re-direct his sizable inheritance away from his loving grandson and instead bequeath his wealth elsewhere. But the lad charms his way into the household disguised as a travelling projectionist and plays Tartuffe in the hope that his Grandfather will see the light. find out more...

The restored version of this original dinosaurs in the jungle adventure based on Arthur Conan Doyle's book. A pioneer for stop-motion animation, the loss, (all known prints and export negatives were destroyed in favour of a sound remake, which became King Kong) and subsequent rediscovery and its restoration are legend. Of historic importance. find out more...

Lon Chaney takes the title role in this silent, black and white version of Gaston Leroux's classic tale. What starts as a seemingly plodding melodrama soon turns to grotesque Gothic horror, with Chaney making quite the most hideous phantom ever. Mary Philbin is equisite as Christine, the hapless heroine, who unwittingly drives the phantom into disastrous despair, while the gripping climax, accompanied by a crashing musical crescendo, is truly awesome. find out more...