Of some of the many early films, Frankenstein (James Whale, 1931), can be noted for its impact on film history as being one of the first films of its kind. This new genre of film inspired many more films to come in the Universal Hollywood film era. One distinguished area of Frankenstein is its strong ties to German Expressionism, which called for a new ways of cinema. This new wave of Cinema was noted for its “great burst of artistic activity” (TEXTBOOK). In Frankenstein the use of this creativity can be displayed through its specific elements of set design and recording, the monster and Dr. Frankenstein and finally its’ influence on future films.
In Frankenstein, German Expressionism can be conveyed through its’ supernatural or unrealistic …show more content…
Whale used the lighting to create an emotional response from the audience. The dark lighting created a sense of mystery and suspense as to what could happen next. Perhaps one of the only lighter scenes in the film, was when he was throwing flowers into the pond with the farmer’s daughter after he had left. It was during this scene that the monster threw the girl into the pond and drowned her. The bright lighting in this scene could have been used to trigger a different response to the audience as the little girl had just died. In addition to the lighting that was used throughout the movie, another important advancement was the camera, and the filming itself. In Frankenstein, there were three very recognizable scenes; the cemetery, the gothic tower where Frankenstein is born, and the old windmill where the monster is trapped and killed by a torch waving mob. In all of these scenes Whale keeps the camera moving and filming from high and low angles which created a shadowed lighting plan (Worland 160). The shadow lighting plan ties into the dark theme that is portrayed throughout German Expressionist films as it creates a very mysterious and questionable
In Frankenstein, German Expressionism can be conveyed through its’ supernatural or unrealistic …show more content…
Whale used the lighting to create an emotional response from the audience. The dark lighting created a sense of mystery and suspense as to what could happen next. Perhaps one of the only lighter scenes in the film, was when he was throwing flowers into the pond with the farmer’s daughter after he had left. It was during this scene that the monster threw the girl into the pond and drowned her. The bright lighting in this scene could have been used to trigger a different response to the audience as the little girl had just died. In addition to the lighting that was used throughout the movie, another important advancement was the camera, and the filming itself. In Frankenstein, there were three very recognizable scenes; the cemetery, the gothic tower where Frankenstein is born, and the old windmill where the monster is trapped and killed by a torch waving mob. In all of these scenes Whale keeps the camera moving and filming from high and low angles which created a shadowed lighting plan (Worland 160). The shadow lighting plan ties into the dark theme that is portrayed throughout German Expressionist films as it creates a very mysterious and questionable