Outline Comparing Two Films by a specific director

Essay Outline - Two Films by Alfred Hitchcock

Introduction

This aims to explore Alfred Hitchcock 's use of fear and suspense to impart his messages about the social ills and psychological issues that pervade the Western culture

Alfred Hitchcock

His major influences in becoming a director

Distinctive style

recurring themes (i .e , MacGuffin

symbolism (e .g , stairways , ropes , brandy

Analyses of Two Major Film Works

Psycho

a .1 Background

- Director 's general intent is to instil fear among the audience

- plot development

a .2 Film Content

p - A suspense /thriller /horror film that depicts the encounter between a secretary who embezzles her employer on impulse and a lonely , profoundly disturbed motel proprietor , Norman Bates

- It is based on the novel by Robert Bloch , which was in turn based on the crimes of Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein

a .3 . Themes

- .an ordinary person is thrust into an extraordinary situation The ordinary protagonist (Marion ) in peril (in the hands of Norman Bates ) and guilt (realization of her mistakes in regards to the MacGuffin

- .the police have little to no impact , often mistaking important clues or letting the villain go " The local sheriff , being skeptic in Sam 's and Lila 's story instead of investigating or helping the dilemma of the said characters

- "A recurring theme in Hitchcock 's movies is mistaken identity Norman Bates and his mother are examples of this

- Hitchcock introduced underlying themes such as incest and necrophelia that shocked audiences . This was shown through the implied relationship between Norman and his mother

- Male characters struggling in their relationships with their mothers

a .4 . Technical elements

Use of sounds to scare the audience (i .e , shrieking violin music

The Birds

b .1 Background

- Director 's general intent is to show the dangers of complacency in society

- Plot development is based on the idea of arising fear during everyday circumstances (i .e , encountering Birds

b .2 Film Content

- Based loosely on a short story by Daphne du Murier

- Lacks resolution

b .3 Themes

Attacks of the birds may be a metaphor for the uncertainty of life and the possibility of anything perilous or surreal to happen is real

The character of Melanie as a controlled and proud woman is negated at the end when the birds have already attacked the whole town

Melanie and Lydia are virtually look-alikes suggesting parallelism in their characters

b .4 Technical Elements

Use of electronic bird sounds to add to element of fear

Switching from the bird sounds to silence to build up suspense

No music score , just incidental music

Reference

Hitchcock Film Analysis : Vertigo , Psycho and the Birds . Internet Accessed : 13 Nov . 2006 . from HYPERLINK "http /www .associatedcontent .com /pop_print .shtml ?content_type article c ontent_type_id 12808 http /www .associatedcontent .com /pop_print .shtml ?content_type article co ntent_type_id 12808...