Dead Man's Shoes

To develop our understanding of genre for our chosen idea we were told to watch Dead Man's Shoes.  It is very dark, and hard hitting, aspects that we are going to try and create in our own film opening.

Brilliant aspects of the film included:

• Soundtrack
• Script
• Editing
• Characterisation of Richard and Anthony

These aspects all really add to the dark and challenging atmosphere, and are key in establishing the genre.

One of my favourite scenes of the film included the scene were three of the characters have been drugged by Richard.  The use of a variety of camera shots and editing create a disorientating effect, and slight comedy which is also key to the film, making the contrast of humour and reality of the action so much more effective.

 

Another favourite scene or scenes is where flash backs are used.  It adds to the horror of what is taking place, with disorientated footage in black and white, establishing that the scenes happened in the past.  Fast editing is also used between reality and the flash backs in order to highlight the frantic nature of the film.

The soundtrack of Dead Man's Shoes was outstandingly effective, songs were used at perfect timing and helped to create the foreboding atmosphere.  The use of music is extremely key in establishing mood and atmosphere and this is something to consider when creating my own film opening.

Overall, Dead Man's Shoes focuses on a soldiers return home, and his thirst for revenge, the plot twist adds to the horror of the circumstances, and creates a film that is successful in challenging its audience.  Watching this film has given me a wider understanding of how to create suspense and atmosphere, and also given me some idea of how to approach the challenges that my own opening idea hold.