Buffalo State College presents "Nosferatu," the classic 1922 German silent film based on Bram Stoker's "Dracula," Oct. 27 in Rockwell Hall. The film, which begins at 8 p.m., will be accompanied by an instrumental adaptation of Paul Ziemba's "Dracula: the Opera," played by Buffalo State College pianist Ivan Docenko and alumnus John Antonelli on percussion.

"Nosferatu" is the first Dracula film ever made and considered by some to be the most frightening. Because director F. Murnan never obtained the rights to use Stoker's story, he changed the names and places used in the original tale, with Count Orlock replacing Count Dracula. Stoker's widow still found too many similarities to her husband's story and got a court order to have the film destroyed. Although only a few inferior copies remained after the destruction, the film has become a classic that has survived 80 years.

Max Schreck plays Orlock, but unlike other Draculas, treats the character like a man suffering from a curse, not a flamboyant actor. Orlock is more like an animal than a man with bat ears, claw-like nails and fangs in the middle of his mouth - not on the sides.

Made on a low budget, even for the time, the film relies on shadows and camera angles to create suspense. Special effects are also used, with Orlock appearing and vanishing into thin air.

Sponsored be Buffalo State College's Performing Arts Center, the event is free and open to the public.