Nosferatu Monarch Model Kit

Released in 1922, Nosferatu was an unauthorised silent film version of Bram Stoker's Dracula. The Stoker estate wouldn't allow German director F.W. Murnau the rights to the novel, so he simply altered a few plot points and changed the names of the characters, casting Max Schrek as 'Count Orlok'. This plastic kit by Monarch models depicts Orlok in a classic pose, as if inviting the unwary traveler into his home. From the start it's clear Monarch is channeling the old Aurora monster kits from the 60's-70's here, and that's not a bad thing. The box art is similar to the old James Bama paintings, as is the lettering and design. Orlok is well sculpted, and true to the characters look in the film. Though no scale is given, he stands a bit over 8 inches, making him about the size of most the old Aurora kits. The base is a crumbled wall and staircase complete with all the cool details one might expect from an Aurora kit, a skull and bones, rat and spider, centipede and Nosferatu nameplate. The parts are molded in aqua-blue ( a choice I found a bit odd), with extra glow parts for the face, hands, feet , base critters and bones should one wish. The instructions are easy to follow and again look like the old Aurora diagrams, though this time in color. While not that hard to build I would say this is a kit for a more experienced modeler or would require adult help. Glue is required, and several parts are tiny, including each key on Orloks key ring, or the spider. You'll probably want to paint the kit due to the colors it's molded in and the instructions give some tips, though you are free to do whatever you will, after all, this was originally a black and white film, so your imagination is the limit. All in all a well made kit in that classic Aurora style, and will look good on your shelf of movie monsters.

This is a great build, easily on par with the old Aurora monster kits it was obviously based on (The scale seems more or less the same to). All the pieces fit together perfectly (Watch out for the tiny keys though.) and the duplicate ‘glow in the dark’ pieces mean that you can add more rats, bones and skulls if you wish. The pattern sculpture is excellent and well detailed. Here is a photo of my finished model. It deviates slightly from the colour scheme and assembly instructions contained in the enclosed leaflet, but then using your own creativity is half the fun of building these things. If I have one slight quibble it is maybe that a little description, or background piece, on exactly who Nosferatu was in the leaflet might have been a nice touch.

The coolest model I have, enjoyed building it.