DOTD 2004 Image Analysis 1

This shot is a part of the title sequence where it is being discussed where the virus and zombies originated. This part where it shows Muslim’s praying in a mosque flashes on screen for a matter of seconds. What this shot says is the disease came from the Middle East which links to the historical context and mass fears of terrorism especially from the 9/11 which happened in 2001. The shot is grainy and very much like a usual news report adding to the realism of the film making it more believable and therefore more worrying to audiences. Due to the lack of time the shot is on screen it is a very subtle hint to the audience that this is where the disease originates. It could be a metaphor for how destroyed our world is becoming with issues such as terrorism taking over and creating reputations and stereotypes for a wide variety of people for example all Muslims. There is parallel music being played over the top of it. The song is Johnny Cash - ‘The man comes around’ and it contains numerous biblical references which further suggests the constant battle between Christianity and Islam.

DOTD 1979 Image Analysis 3

This establishing shot contains a lot of contextual connotations. During the 1970’s America had a lot of issues with capitalism and an insane obsession with money and materialistic items. This shot shows it well as this it’s set in a shopping mall, Romero wanted to deal with the current affairs and contextual scares America was going through at the time. You can see the zombies walking through the shopping mall. This is suggesting that if the obsession over money continues, we’ll end up like the zombies, basically dead. During the shot, contrapuntal music is being played. It is a happy, upbeat muzak that the zombies walk in time with. The music makes the audience feel confused and manipulated which adds to the idea of horror – to shudder. The shot is a high angle shot which makes the zombies look powerless; this may be because they are slow moving monsters that are not usually as terrifying and threatening as those which are fast. It could also mean that America is powerless when it comes to the idea of capitalism as it has taken over their minds.

DOTD 1979 Image Analysis 2

The angle of this shot is another expressionist angle. The high angle connotes the lack of power and the vulnerability both characters portray. The lighting in the shot is ambient which makes it more believable and realistic. The lighting makes Stephens facial expressions clearer than Francine’s however both of them look unhappy and discontent with life. It’s obvious from the shot this is the aftermath of sexual intercourse, Francine’s glum expression suggests that Stephen wasn’t fulfilling in bed. This backs up that his lack of ability when it comes to guns is a phallic hint of the lack of power he has sexually over women. The fact they have had sex makes Francine a stereotypical female victim as it is a common stereotype that they usually have sex before their death. This is challenged in Dawn of the Dead as Francine survives. This proves Romero’s auteur style as he is known for challenging stereotypes and going against the norm.

DOTD 1979 Image Analysis 1

Stephen, who is the stereotypical male hero with his good looks, proves to the audience he lacks strength and masculine traits by missing a zombie when shooting several times. Roger enters the shot and kills the zombie with one attempt. This makes Stephen look pathetic and not manly. The gun is also a phallic symbol, so this shot hints that Stephen has no power when it comes to sexually pleasing women. The facial expression of Stephen suggests he is ashamed and confused as to why Roger steps in to help, as he doesn’t want to admit that he lacks masculinity. The facial expression of Roger is smug and degrading of Stephen as he knows the lack of power he has.

Pyscho Image Analysis 3

This shot is contextually very interesting. Hitchcock has based the character Norman Bates on Ed Gein, who was a serial killer in 1950’s. Gein was a schizophrenic who killed his mum, preserved her body, had sexual intercourse with the corpse and also made a body suit out of various corpses’ skins. This shot reveals that Norman Bates has preserved his mother. The stance in which he is stood is very feminine and suggests not only has the killing of his mother taken over him mentally, but he has even adapted his physical stance so he himself finds it more believable. The angle of the shot is slightly low, briefly giving Norman more power.

The low key lighting in the shot is successful as it creates shadows which suggests mystery and also, shadows appear at the end of a period of sun, this could foreshadow the end of Norman’s happiness as he is about to be found out to be a psychopathic killer and wrestled to the ground by the male hero, Sam. The shot is in the basement connotes creepiness and enclosure as well. Norman is stood by the door so it gives us as an audience the idea that we are trapped and can’t get away from him. The knife is a phallic symbol which suggests sexual, male power over women.

Psycho Image Analysis 2

This long shot is a low angle expressionist shot on the motel and the eerie house in the background. The house conforms to the usual horror convention of creepy locations. It utilises low key lighting which adds to the uncomforting feel of the location. The shot uses pathetic fallacy with the rain as it connotes unhappiness and misery. It foreshadows Marion’s murder in the motel. Marion is in the shot but because it’s more focused on the locations, she is not very noticeable. This suggests the lack of power she has in relation to the strength and power of Norman and his psychological state. This scene is a slow montage; the shot lasts a long time. This is part of Hitchcock’s auteur style as he does this to build tension before the very quick montage of the shower scene. Hitchcock loved soviet montage films and used the heavy reliance on montage from those in his own work.  

Psycho Image Analysis 1

This shot uses an expressionist low angle to suggest Norman’s power over Marion. It enforces to the audience that Norman is the character who will get his desires as he has the most power and he is mentally and physically stronger than Marion. A part of the mise-en-scene that connotes another characteristic of Norman’s is the stuffed owls. This bird is looking at Marion in this shot which is suggesting that she is prey for Norman. It is foreshadowing of the events which happen. Also Marion is referred to as a bird in the film by Norman (“You eat like a bird.”) which, in this shot, reflects that he is going to kill her. The right painting is a famous painting called

‘Rape of Lucretia’, this suggests the sexual attraction he has towards Marion and the lack of control he has over it. Behind the painting is the peep hole where he watches Marion shower, this suggests and further proves he can’t stop the desire he has over Marion sexually.

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