An analysis of the auction scene to North by Northwest
An analysis of the auction scene to North by Northwest North by Northwest was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The auction scene is a 'set piece' which is a technique frequently used by Hitchcock in many of his films. The set piece does certain things. It is in a specific and closed location, it also creates and/or answers certain enigmas, and it leads to a climax-especially in visual terms, and frequently a turning point in the narrative and lastly puts the hero in danger. The auction sequence begins with a musical segue as he enters the building, this is used to create a flowing motion rather than one that stops and starts. It is important to note that Thornhill (Cappalin) is purposely putting himself into danger-why is he doing this-an enigma is created in the audiences mind. We then cut to a CU of a mans hand dominating round a woman's shoulder-Ms Kendall. This signifies his masculinity and power that he has over her-it is quite ambiguous. The camera zooms out to reveal three people surrounding her-she is encoded and represented to be very weak. The collection of three people in this way is known as a triumvirate. After a tracking shot there is then a revealing one, which exposes our hero-Thornhill. He is in the p
More enigmas are created as an unusual shot is used by a craftsman-there is a line that goes directly through his head. Thornhill loves Ms Kendall-this is why he has come to the auction room, later in the film he says that all he wants is the girl and that he will let them get away-he has fallen for her. To complete his masculinity his facial expression is very stern and serious-he has an objective. We work out that they tell us about themselves-constant use of "show don't tell". NVC is a very important factor in filmmaking. The public have probation to what he is doing as it is ruining their fun-they enjoy to come to an auction room and spend their money. Cut to a CU of Ms Kendall's face and we see through NVC that she is very upset and almost crying. This technique is known, as metonymy where smaller things in the film refer to the whole thing-also this is very similar to the sub text of the film. But, ironically earlier in the film another man was stabbed in broad daylight and in front of a lot of people. The fact that Thornhill bids lower than the set price again adds to the comedy. Thornhill has a change of character throughout this scene as at one point he is making a joke-why is he?-enigmas and then his true vitriol comes out. lace of danger with a triumvirate of people against him. As a lot of people are looking at him there is increased tension but also it is harder for him to be killed as everyone is paying attention to him. But as he realises one of his escape routes is blocked his body language changes completely and we see that he is worried and anxious-there is no way out.
Common topics in this essay:
Ms Kendall,
Cold War,
Thornhill Cappalin,
North Northwest,
Alfred Hitchcock,
Van Damme-he,
Classic Hollywood,
Ms Kendall-this,
Mac Guffins,
Bond Thornhill,
set piece,
ms kendall,
north northwest,
sub text,
body language,
don't tell,
body language changes,
kendall signifies,
james bond,
femme fatale,
enigmas created,
femme fatale character,
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Acceptance Essays
