boomgetchopped3 posted...
They learn that Orlok needs to return to his coffin filled with earth or he dies. So they burn his place down, and yet they still feel obligated to offer up Ellen as bait? Seems like they needlessly sacrificed her.
I took it as they weren't sure if that would actually work, same as a stake and what-not. She and the professor were very sure Orlok's love/obsession with her would keep him occupied until the sun comes up. Which it did.
He even says a line that there a bunch of stories that all say some variation of destroying his coffin but he's only a tourist in the occult while she is a member. And the book they found that is connected to Orlok clearly states her sacrifice is the key to ending the curse. Thus Prof volunteers to distract Thomas that night.