I saw The Silence of the Lambs at a local theater when it was released in 1991 while I was still in the Marine Corps. My duty station at the time was Quanitico. The FBI Academy itself is in the middle of a large USMC base called The Basic School. That was where I was stationed. So, I did my many of my trail jogs on the same course shown at the start of the film. I definitely felt the establishing male dominance vibe throughout the first half of the movie and especially when Hannibal Lecter made a few lewd comments about it to Clarice. Being that I was watching the movie at the closest public movie theater to the FBI Academy, I distinctively remember thinking about how many in the audience were also FBI personnel and if the females among those identified with Clarice. It was certainly surreal. The irony is that Buffalo Bill is a male who wants to metamorphosize into a female. (Hence, the moth symbolism, as Lecter eventually points out to Clarice.)
I love this format. It really brings home how all the choices of camera angles, costumes, performances, etc. are designed to have an emotional effect on us. In this case, dread. I would love to see more videos to see how directors evoke other emotions, like joy, or rage, or love.
Once again brilliant video. Love the explanations of shot by shot, director's intentions and gravity of scenes... Thank you for this video... Fingers crossed for this series to continue. Waiting for next one:)
This was an incredibly intelligent, and informative, breakdown of so many aspects of the film that many of the audiences possibly weren't aware of that made them engage so much in what they were watching. Really insightful piece of work, thank you so much.
Brilliant analysis. Dr Chilton is so cocksure and creepy. The acting in this film is exemplary. The film is perhaps a little forgotten now, given how significant it was at the time.
when Jodi is off center at the 29 minute mark, what he is saying is DEFINITELY affecting her because she gulps nervously. so the offset framing is intentionally done to build up the claustrophobic feeling she has.
Great insight Wolfcrow! Can I ask what are your thoughts on the cinematographer Mauro Fiore (Avatar, Real Steel, Training Day, Spider-Man: No Way Home)?
YES! Please! Even for us "keen amateurs"! I'd be especially interested in camera placement (i.e., staging). I do not understand how one gets shiting 180s without seeing the camera etc.. Is the blocking changed? The staging? Both? Different lenses? I hope I made this question clear. :0) We never see the camera (which we shoudn't), yet the character angels seem to change without and distortion or parallax etc..
@@wolfcrow It's even more amazing to me than being as the dialog, lighting, color temp, shot angles, et al., are maintained shot-to-shot! I guess that's why they are called professional cinematographers! :0)))
Yes, more camera-as-narrative analysis like this. Maybe on a Fincher film... or, since you've looked at it before, an action flick like Mission Impossible-- but, for its narrative choices.
There are very few perfect movies, but this is one of them--the acting, directing, the story, etc., are all brilliant. Also an excellent adapttion of a novel which is very hard to pull off, Lastly the cinematography is done by Tak Fujimoto, who is amazing at his craft!
Well... when I started watching your new format, I originally thought - 36 minutes? Is this guy out of his mind? ;) And yeah, I still think this new format would be even better if it could somehow be squeezed into 20 minutes or so :) That said, I found this format the most interesting of all the ones you've already posted - and they were very insightful, too (love the classic samurai movies explained! :) So I'm looking forward to seeing more of this - and if you ask me: not necessarily as an analysis of a particular movie like this one, but let's say - mixing your previous videos with this new format. And just as an example: how the cinematographers reveals the character of the person thru the given scenes/camera angles/color grading/etc. like you did here showing the first 4 males she meets in the first scenes of the movie :) Great work though and awaiting next chapters! Cheers!
Wow, that was fantastic! I've watched a lot of your other videos trying to improve my own techniques but always long for more in-depth analysis so I can learn the more subtle things. It makes me want to watch Silence of the Lambs again to see it through this new lens! Very interesting their use of color, and pre-color grading that's so easy for anyone to do now. Thanks a lot for taking the time to make this, I hope the series does well!
at 2:20 where starling meets a person in a yellow vest and says "yes sir" is no indication at all. She could be a full Special Agent and the person she is talking to is a section or department head. However, the FBI Academy badge on her shirt and the fact she is clearly running a course would suggest she is in training at the academy.
Engrossing film. It deserves (your) attention. I must say, though - Your lexiconal usage & conceptual framing is off putting. I think sex / power intersectionality is intrinsically flawed. It is the foamy dross of a bad idea. Knowi'msayin?
Don’t forget about race brother. The male figure that actually shows warmth and concern literally cannot help within this system, even though he wants to.
Definitely one of my favourite videos of yours. Please do more. The film school I went to was more focused on the trades side of things than the art of cinematography so this was incredibly valuable to me. Generally when choosing shots I'm pretty amateurish -- I think in terms of effect with regards to tension (wides for more relaxed moments, tights for intense moments), which just feels limiting and repetitive. There's a lot more depth in what's shown here. If you're taking requests... you mentioned Seven. Any chance you could break down something from Fincher?
Great vid!! I want to add that I think one of the main purposes of how the camera moves and such in the opening, has a lot to do with establishing Clarice in threatening, difficult environments and how steady, poised she always remains. How she meets everything head on without hesitation. The obstacle course, navigating her way to Crawford's office....all of the men etc, etc. She hardly flinches or ever seems uncomfortable or....weak in any way. Physically and mentally. Her getting in that elevator, she does it with the utmost....swag....confidence....she doesn't shrink up or seem intimidated in the least. It's as if she almost....stands tall and puffs her chest out deliberately others look at her and question her....fearless attitude.
Now you made me want to watch it again, but it's WAY past bedtime here so it'll have to wait. I've loved this movie since its release, and it's quite possibly my favorite movie of all time. The tone and bleak atmosphere, combined with Hopkins' portrayal of Lecter, is just perfection! I know some people have the opinion that he's overdoing it (in comparison to Brian Cox's version in Manhunter) but Hopkins' Lecter will always be one of the greatest and most terrifying movie villains in my book.
Came here because i thought your Amelie review was good. Started watching this and suddently it gets into overthinking mode. Its not that you might not be right about some of your conclusions but the exagerated focus on fleeting subjects only illustrate the amount of effort it took to make the review and not a welll balance overview of the psychological and relevant data rhat makes this movie great. btw, the ambiance music behind the voice-over is great.
I found out your channel recently and been watching your videos they are a great help keep up the work G , also can you make a list of best indian cinematography movies specially old ones
She is always dressed conservatively, even her hair is under control. The men on the elevator are all bigger than her, and the red color is an action color, while she is dressed like freshman at an all women’s Catholic college. She is the innocent lamb, “Behold I send you out as sheep in the mist of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves.”
I really enjoyed your commentary with many of your insights further endearing this film to me. Funny that many of the decisions by the people involved in the making of this film fostered in me the very emotions you describe. Great to reflect on a masterpiece of cinematography IMO where many recent films lack even the basic skills shown here. Thanks!
they wanted to make sequel to this film but jodie said she will do it only if jonathan demme directed it. then juliian moore took this role and ridley scott directed it.
Content Wolf- Wolfcrow- I have seen u in kerala thrissur- for Pulikali - But was unavailable to reach u due to the rush- all the best for the new series ❤
