Nosferatu, directed by F W Murnau, is a film from the German expressionist silent
period. Being a German expressionist film, there is a lot of emphasis on using dark settings. For example, the vampires’ shadow on the stairs as he walks up them to attack Ellen, is very eerie and creates suspense as he slowly climbs the staircase. Frayling argues that Murnau also ‘thought that speeding up equalled sinister’ (Frayling : 2001), and says many diverse methods went in to creating the peculiar vibe. The film uses a repetitive soundtrack, where certain type themes are put according to the scene. For example, the same tune is used for every scene with Ellen at home. However, even though James Bernard has reproduced this particular score, during the silent period this is what a pianist accompanying the film would’ve done in a cinema.The sound used in Sunset Blvd also uses a dramatic soundtrack, which like Nosferatu builds suspense. However, it is not the main attraction because it was made after the silent era, meaning that dialogue and diegetic sounds are used in layers with the music. The dialogue is mostly narrative monologues, for example when he is trying to find his agent we get to know background information in a short time, which helps the audience understand the protagonist. The cinematography is similar to Nosferatu, as it is shot in black and white, in very gothic, occult like settings. Shadows also play a big part in the film, for example when we first see Norma, she is has sunglasses and shadows coving most of her face, which makes her suspicious. Even though made thirty years later many elements from primitive cinema remain.
Sin City directed by Frank Miller is very pleasing on the eye. By using CGI with a combination of the use of shadows he creates a crisp look, and even though made in the
modern day it uses no colour. However, at some points it includes red, to compliment the black and white. Interestingly, both shots described from the previous films are used. The one from Nosferatu is used before Hartigan hits a goon around the head with a pole. Along with the shot from Sunset Blvd, which is used when we see Kevin at the start, where his face is a shadow and all we see are his sunglasses. However, unlike Nosferatu, Sin City uses slow motion (such as when the ear is shot off) instead of speeding up to enhance the vibe. This shows that even in the modern day aspects of earlier films are still used but are still developing. Although, the sound is used exactly the same as in Sunset Blvd, with a mix of narratives, dialogues and dramatic music.I think that these films show a progression of the way films are shot, or generated. It is interesting to see how foundations set in certain periods remain to be used almost a generation later, and how cinema is an ever-improving medium, with filmmakers taking the best elements to aid new productions whilst adding their own.
Bibliography
Christopher Frayling On Nosferatu, 2001. (DVD) Directed by Lynne Wake. UK: Photoplay Productions
Nosferatu, 2002. (DVD) Directed by F.W.Murnau. Germany: BFI Video
Sin City, 2005. (Film) Directed by Frank Miller. USA: Dimension Films
Sunset Blvd, 1950. (Film) Directed by Billy Wilder. USA: Paramount Pictures
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