Film: "Frankenstein" (1931)

Film Review # 68673

This paper examines cinematic meaning through set design in the film "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein" (1931), directed by James Whale with the set design created by Charles D Hall and Hermann Rosse.

925 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2003 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the set design interacts with all aspects of mis-en-scene, including the lighting of the film, the editing of the scenes, the portrayal of the characters and the movie's overall theme, to further exemplify the meaning of the film. The author points out that, in this "Frankenstein" (1931), the cluttered laboratory that forces top lighting for the close up of Dr. Frankenstein's face, which brings out his cheekbones, helps further the understanding of Dr. Frankenstein's insanity. The paper relates that, during the scene in which the monster comes alive, the backdrop in the tower also seems to come alive creating the theme of life as opposed to the whole set design of the eerie and slimy laboratory, which represents death.

From the Paper:

"In this particular film, the set design has a direct correlation with the themes of the movie. Not only does the set design bring out the themes of the movie, but also they help the viewer to bring the themes to a basic level. When the tower is first introduced during the storm, the lighting seen through the perfectly placed windows in the tower help bring out the theme of rage within Dr. Frankenstein. The whole theme of the movie is life and death and acting as god."