An indepth analysis of the Gothic Film's Saw, Nosferatu and Young Frankenstein. Analysing context, technique and form.

Essay by tichondriusHigh School, 12th gradeA+, September 2006

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Perhaps the first truly Gothic film to be crafted was "Le Manoir Du Diable" (English: The Devil's Castle) by French filmmaker Georges Melies, this was in 1986 and was three minutes long. However since the advent of Gothic film, a myriad of films that are arguably Gothic were born over time. For the most part, the original creations (those not influenced by a Gothic Novel) reflected the contemporary concerns of the period in which they were filmed. Undoubtedly, the presence of film and its effectiveness as a medium in conveying the message of the writer have truly revolutionized the Gothic Tale, as film enabled the writer to illustrate a story through the use of consistent visual images.

This essay explores three evolutions of the Gothic film. These are that of the:

Marvellous Gothic/Horror Film - Also known as the supernatural accepted, this form of Gothic tale dwells on the fact that the story may not be explained through rational means i.e.

it is unbelievable, and the reader is expected to know as such. The conventions of these films will be explored in F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu - 1922

Uncanny Gothic/Horror Film - Also known as supernatural explained, this form of the Gothic genre attempts to create a sense of credibility by explaining, through rationality, reasons for the circumstances by which the story may seem unbelievable. The conventions of these films will be explored in James Wan's Saw - 2004

Subversion [Parody] Gothic/Horror Film - Many classic ideas and stories that terrified audiences because of their limited knowledge of the world and science have now been all disproved. Science has answered many questions regarding previously believable (Uncanny) stories, and now filmmakers are free to ridicule these stories by subverting all the conventions which at one stage would have frightened...