Scene Analysis

Scene Analysis

Film: Silence of the Lambs 


Scene: Hannibal Escapes

    

1.) In the opening shot, pictures are revealed. Drawings of Agent Starling (Jodie Foster) are highlighted. This further shows the viewer the depth of his obsession with her.

2.) The next shot pans from the left to right, revealing a distorted-faced Dr. Lector behind a silk curtain. This almost gives him the appearance of a monster or ghoul.

   

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(pan right)

3.) The shots below tilt up from Dr. Lector’s dinner to the policemen who are delivering it to him as the camera man tracks the movement. This shows the lavish treatment that Lector is being given.

  




4.) We then cut back to the ghoulish face of Dr. Lector through the silk screen. It almost appears as if he is himself a painting in this frame within a frame/medium close-up.

 



5.)   This is the first time we see Lector’s face clearly. The added suspense adds to the feeling of impending disaster. He is facing away from the guards, not breaking concentration. The object in the foreground adds an interesting texture to the frame.



6.)  When prompted to move towards the bars so that he can be handcuffed, the close up shows Lector producing a small sliver of metal that he hides it in his hand.





7.) The camera zooms in on the sliver of metal, and with the zoom the suspense builds, highlighting the importance of the object and foreshadowing a significant event. The camera is unstable alluding to handheld or some sort of stabling contraption that allows camera movement.


8.) As Lector prepares for the restraints, the viewer is fully aware of their impending uselessness.  
The shot is framed around Lector and follows him as he sinks down the bars.

  9.) The shot of Lector’s face shows an absolute lack of emotion, as if he is far away in thought. He is biding his time for the perfect moment to strike. This suspense is incredibly strong at this moment, and it constantly builds with the lack of motion from Lector within the frame where he is composed dead center and with a close up.

10.) As Lector ask one of the officers to “mind the drawings, please”, it is becoming clear that each and every moment has been constructed by Lector to bring about the officer’s demise and his escape. A simple, logical request such as to “mind the drawing’s” is an honest request but at the same time it is bringing the unfortunate officer into the perfect position for Hannibal’s strike. 



 11.) The close up of Dr. Lector as he makes his move is like a jolt of thunder. He explodes into motion, capturing the officer before he has any clue what is going on. The tight frame allows the motion to appear far quicker.

 




12.) This two shot has Lector’s face partially blocked from view, making his already horribly satisfied face appear all the more terrifying. 




13.) Lector is in full attack frenzy at this moment. He appears to be enjoying himself immensely. The shot from beneath him gives the illusion that he is large, daunting, and powerful. 





14.) The angle of this over the shoulder allows the viewer a clear view of Lector’s eyes. It also allows the viewer to internally visualize the violence and often that is far more unsettling as the mind usually assumes the worst. 


 



15.) The reverse shot gives the viewer a clear view of the receiving side of the attack, once again the blatant violence is left up to the audience’s imagination.

16.) This medium shot shows the desperation in this officer’s face. The camera is slightly tilted at a downward angle, because he is handcuffed low on the bars, but this also makes the officer appear powerless, desperate and doomed. The dark background also adds to the hopeless feeling, with the singular overhead light making the area they are in appear like a patch of light in absolute darkness.

17.)  The blood shown of Lectors face is the focus of this shot, with the officers obscured head being thrashed violently. This makes the blows to the head appear far more violent, with the viewers mind once again doing the majority of the work. This is incredibly effective in my opinion.

18.) The chemical mace the officer was wielding is used against him. His hands logically move to nurse his eyes, blocking all of the horror that Lector has just inflicted. The shots are all brilliantly designed to never reveal too much to the audience.  

19.) We see Lector (from the viewpoint of the trapped officer) slowly raise the billy club he has taken from the officers. The upward angle makes him appear incredibly imposing with the officer (and viewer) feeling trapped, with no possible hope for escape.


 

20.) This close-up of pure horror from the officer is incredible powerful. The downward angle is again utilized for the inferior, powerless feel. The camera zooms in upon the officer, giving the illusion that something (namely, Dr. Lector) is closing in on him, slowly and methodically.

21.)This medium close-up shows Dr. Lector mercilessly beat the officer. The camera slowly zooms in, as if it is implying that this goes on for a good while. The lighting angle allows the center overhead light to make his face dark and sinister. The upward angle once again makes Lector appear quite imposing and powerful. 





22.) The shot pans left, revealing all of Lector’s previous handiwork and revealing Dr. Lector serenely waving his hand back and forth in enjoyment of the symphonic music that he was listening to at the beginning of the scene. This upward angle with the overhead light shining down upon his almost makes it appear if he is having a religious moment. The light clearly illuminates his face, as if he has found clarity. The frame almost appears dutched when you factor in the cage as a reference point. This gives a creepy unnatural feeling.