Thriller Research - 'Strangers on a Train'

Explore the use of film language for effect in an opening sequence to a thriller. How does the director engage the audience?

The 50s thriller by Hitchcock, ‘Strangers on a train’ is full of different film languages, such as lighting, sound, camera work and mise-en-scene all to establish genre, to create a certain mood  and atmosphere. It is about two men, one good one bad. The five minutes I chose to look at are very early on in the film but are a part of setting up the main characters.

The first technique used in the film to set up the basics of the feel of the film is how the lighting is used. At the beginning  of the clip Bruno has bars cast on his face as the blinds are causing shadows. This gives an idea of prison which creates two impressions. Firstly, makes it seem like Guy is trapped in the situation and is stuck with Bruno. Secondly, the shadows give an idea of Bruno being a criminal, more specifically in the context of the film, a murderer. Later in the clip, when they move cabin Bruno has a white head cloth behind him. This adds contrast to the shadows he casts behind him. This portrays Bruno as two-sided, as it shows his darker, evil side.  In contrast, Guy casts no shadow, and there is just a rectangle of light from the window behind him. This shows his good nature. Another way there is a contrast between bad and good of the two characters is when there is an over-the-shoulder shot behind Bruno. He is darker and Guy is illuminated. At very end of the scene, Guy leaves and Bruno shuts the door. As soon as the door is shut, Bruno casts a very strong shadow on the wall. This gives an idea of Bruno being able to reveal his true self as soon as he is alone.

Sound is also an important part of the scene. It is used to create more tension between Bruno and Guy. Firstly, when the script gets especially tense and revealing, there is a sudden train whistle noise. It is low and threatening, making what Bruno says more threatening  and creepy than nice. He says ‘I’d do anything for you,’ which could be interpreted as a sweet thing to say but with the startling noise, the audience interprets the script differently. The noise is like a warning alarm, and it stops Guy getting involved as it reminds him he needs to get off the train soon. Secondly, Bruno bangs the table when Guy says something against him. This action and noise is sudden so startles us slightly, making the scene more tense. It also adds to Bruno’s character as it is a very haste and childish reaction. In this clip there is no non-diegetic sound. This means there is nothing to soften the mood of the film, which would make it less of a thriller. Also means music doesn’t point out the tension and make very obvious and crude. This makes it more of a psychological thriller.

Camera work is also used to set the scene . At the beginning of the scene we have semi over-shoulder shots during the conversation. This makes it engaging as feels more like you are one of them and part of the scene. It also shows them as engaged with each other and as very together in the shot, giving a feeling of them Guy being trapped so it works with the context if Guy being in this tricky situation. More camera work is seen when the clip cross dissolves from before food. This is to show time has passed. Finally, Bruno takes up whole shot when talking about his plan. This seems threatening and adds to the feel of the genre as it shows he’s powerful, keen and hard to escape from the situation. Guy is much smaller in his solo shots. This contrasts the power the two men have in the situation.

Mise-en-scene is another important aspect of the context of the film. Firstly, Guy is dressed in black. This portrays him as smart, professional (links in with his back story of being well known) and most importantly, normal. This contrasts to Bruno who is wears a much more patterned and ornate suit and tie. This adds to him being not a normal person. Bruno also adds to this idea as he moves around a lot when talking and he lies on the table and slouches in an unconventional way. Guy sits very up right and proper. He also smokes and Guy doesn’t. This shows Bruno as being having no boundaries and quite self-destructive behaviour. Later in the clip they are in a small cabin together, making them feel trapped and claustrophobic. Bruno takes up most of the shot with his feet as they are much nearer the camera than anything else. This  makes the room seem smaller and shows Guy as being dominated by Bruno. This feeling of being trapped is added to by the set up of generally being in train. Especially as we can clearly see the outside in the shots. The outside landscape is going past very fast. This shows them heading to to their fate and things are out of control. This is foreshadowing in the context of the film. When bruno talks of murder, he leans in more to Guy. This makes him seem threatening and hard to escape. When Guy says he wants to ‘kill’ his dad he uses hand gestures in a similar position to how he does murder, his hands are in a strangling position. This is foreshadowing and conveys how much he does want to kill him. Finally Bruno gives lots of eye contact which feels very manipulative and engaging.