Nosferatu 2: GEOmetric Design's Micro-Mania

With but one or two bench-sessions away from wrapping-up my first "monster model" in over 40 years, I must admit that the subject of Nosferatu is highly contagious, a vector for seemingly endless affinity. Though the Monarch kit is my first full figure of Nosferatu, it is my third venture with the subject.

Murnau's classic film provides near-limitless inspiration for potential vignettes and dioramas, and indeed a number of these have made it to commercial, albeit relatively limited, release. But while suffering under this "contagion", I wanted to explore something "new" and "unique"--and in a smaller scale.

Smaller scale? Well, this narrows the casting, no pun intended, dramatically. Sadly, there really are no good candidates out there, but one is significantly better than the other, if only in unfulfilled--and accessible--potential.

I am of course referring to GEOmetric Design's Nosferatu, the Vampyre (RMM03) in their Micro Mania line, sculpted by T[im]. Holter Bruckner, and released in 1998. Bruckner sculpted the first six releases in the Micro Mania series, of which this was the third.

Before continuing, I should point out that while the Micro-Mania offerings are advertised as 1/25th scale (~75mm), this piece is anything but. Nosferatu measures 93mm from soles of feet to top of head, 88mm to the eyes. While certainly not a typically robust 90, this is more of a "75 on steroids with a splash of growth hormone". This is not the only inconsistency to be found in this offering. . .

The kit is comprised of 3 pieces, plus a sizable "circular" plinth that is all-but-useless--to be kind. The figure itself is essentially cast in one-piece in a softish white resin, with two white-metal hands provided separately. While the latter are very nicely cast, they do not convey the gnarled ancient menace of the subject.

The casting is average: the upper half of the body is VG+; the lower half, fair at best. There was significant mold shift along the legs, which would be disconcerting if I had not already decided to rework the legs--why are Orlok's legs so difficult to render convincingly?

Which brings me to the sculpture itself. Tim Bruckner's portfolio without a doubt evinces mastery of his art and craft. Having said that, his rendition of Nosferatu leaves much to be desired. It is stiffly and two-dimensionally posed; and with regard to the likeness, I have to posit that Mr. Bruckner abandoned all referencing of the film very early on in the sculpting process. The frock is nothing like it was in the movie (too long; too fitted; too many braids); and spatial relationships are completely off the mark. The face can best be described as a "generic" Nosferatu, but it bears little, if any, resemblance to Schreck. While we have all experienced the "downgrading" of a master sculpt by the licensor for inexplicable reasons, AFAIK, Nosferatu and the character of Graf Orlok were then, if not currently(?), in the public domain.

I will add to this review as needed, but it will hopefully establish the baseline from which I will launch this project. Photos will eventually illustrate much of the above, but I am currently incapable of taking any photographs.

To be continued. . .