Textual Analysis Additional Information

Thanks to help from Peter and Ben by providing information, I now have an outline of what I will be writing in my textual analysis essay.

Children of Men Brief Character Description

Theo Faron - The films protagonist starting of as a man dead inside, doing nothing with his life,  changing into the saviour helping deliver the first baby within 20 years.

Kee - The first woman who is pregnant the last 20 years. She is the last hope and as an immigrant the baby being delivered safely is increasingly a challenge.

Jasper - Theo's comical close friend in alliance and occasional marijuana smoker, who dies due to his loyalty towards his best friend.

Julian - Theo's ex-wife and devoted anti-government freedom fighter who is in charge of 'The Fishes', she dies a martyr standing up for what she believes in.

Luke - Also part of 'The Fishes' and although he starts of as positive minded character who believes in equality; we later see as his actions towards Kee is to benefit him and a few others, rather than help her.

Textual Analysis (First Draft)

Harry Brown and The Dark Knight are two films in which the narrative involves the protagonists take on the role of vigilantes; embarking on taking revenge for deaths they blame themselves for. Batman blames himself for the death of Rachel, who he has feelings for and Harry Brown blames himself for the death of his best friend Leonard. Through the motive of revenge Batman and Harry Brown end up cleaning up the mass criminal society around them, (Harry Brown with the South London council estate and Batman with Gotham city). As vigilantes Harry Brown and Batman end up committing morally wrong actions, but as the audience we never see them suffer for their actions, also through the long stride of violence Harry Brown and Batman follow and with the clear up of society, this shows that their wrong actions actually lead to positive results.

Harry Brown is a film in which Daniel Barber makes his directorial debut in this fast paced, grimy thriller. The film is an independent one distributed by Lionsgate UK. Harry Brown the lead protagonist, an elderly man who witnesses the council estate he lives in quickly deteriorating into youth crime; when his best friend Leonard is murdered Harry decides enough is enough. Through his transition into a vigilante Harry then returns to his past lifestyle of when he was fighting in the Marines, except as he says’ those people were fighting for something; for a cause. To them out there, this is just entertainment.’ The Dark Knight is a big budget film in which Christopher Nolan directs his second of the Batman trilogy. The film is distributed by the major Hollywood production Warner Bros. Gotham city is being invaded by mass amounts of crime, the most significant being the Joker. The only one who can challenge his authority and power is Batman.

Harry Brown and The Dark Knight are both introduced by showcasing the mass threat of the antagonists of the film. This sets up the narrative of both films, showing the audience that the protagonists are going to have to overcome the antagonists control of the society around them. This is seen at the beginning of both films. Looking at props in Harry Brown there is drug abuse, and gun control the estate gang portray. Looking at mis-en-scene the use of guns in broad daylight really shows the audience how the estate is really a warzone with no respect for others. With cinematography the opening of Harry Brown is shot in a POV handheld camera phone form, adding a more realistic ideal to the film, along with the camera quality representing the quality of life the youths on the estate have. Along with The Dark Knight in which we see the Joker using menace, violence and smart tactics to kill the other bank robbers who he is meant to be teaming up with him, showing how cunning he is. With the use of masks looking at mis-en-scene this establishes that all the bank robbers posses some menacing and disguised tactics used to cause havoc on others, they also show savagery as when a mask is worn an identity is lost. With cinematography we see The Dark Knight start with an establishing shot to show the audience the scale of crime being committed and the Joker is rarely really shown through close-ups to add to the mystery of his character until he reveals his face at the end of the scene.

Harry Brown and the Dark Knight both follow and break the genre conventions. They both follow the classic Hollywood narrative structure. Harry starts of weaker to the youth thugs on the estate and this is shown in the tunnel scene where he walks past the tunnel in which the youths are in fear. Looking at costume Harry is shown wearing bright clothing and the location around him is generally quite bright showing good, whereas the tunnel is very dark showing evilness. The use of graffiti on the tunnel location also indicates some form of property belonging to the youths. A wide shot is used on Harry as he walks of away from the tunnel in which the location becomes bigger than him to show that the place in which the youths are situated is more powerful than him. In comparison, The Dark Knight shows Batman losing power over the antagonist the Joker who is constantly mentally and psychologically defeating Batman. In the interrogation scene Batman and the Joker are constantly in uniform, the Joker in his war paint mask shows the re-birth of a new evil identity in which he can hide behind. Batman in his dark black cloak and mask shows a sense of hidden darkness inside him, and also a new identity hidden behind a mask. The fact that Batman is in Black which represents evil in comparison to the Joker in purple, green and white showing goodness also breaks the typical genre convention as the evil character is hard to identify. Until the last part the Joker is constantly shown through mid and low angle shots to show his power along with Batman who is also shown through these shots. Only later Batman uses physical violence does he gain power and this is seen where he is shown through low angles shots in comparison to high angle shots on the Joker. The fact that the antagonists in both The Dark Knight and Harry Brown are shown having the upper hand allows the films’ narratives to show the protagonists development in overcoming the antagonist.

Harry Brown and Batman start to grow in development through narrative as vigilantes. Both Harry Brown and Batman are motivated by revenge based on the death of loved ones, due to the deaths both characters equilibriums are disrupted. Harry Brown is motivated as his best friend Leonard is murdered and decides to avenge those who are responsible. Looking at the Harry Brown subway scene the atmospheric music with rhythmic editing sets the iconic suspense of a thriller. Through mis-en-scene the tunnel location is used to show this scene as it is the estates youths main place to ‘hangout’, and the fact Harry is coming in there shows him being voyeuristic and invading their area. This also shows through narrative Harry no longer fears the threat of the antagonist’s. The use of lighting to show Harry coming out of the darkness into the bright tunnel shows his development as an anti-hero through him becoming evil. The Dark Knight shows the Joker’s threat as an antagonist, as Batman is motivated by revenge through the death of Rachel. The Joker is shown growing as a threat. The use of costume with the Joker being in a nurse uniform this shows his natural evil ability to be threatening even whilst looking like a woman. Also when the Joker hands Harvey a gun to shoot him the Joker is still shown through low angles, showing he is still in full control. The location of the hospital being used to be blown up shows the Joker’s success in beating Batman as he is able to continue to wreak havoc on Gotham city. Also the long shot of the hospital building being blown up shows the large threat the Joker has against Batman.

Batman and Harry Brown’s actions as vigilantes effect others and it is evident how both protagonists have fulfilled their roles as vigilantes. Harry Brown by killing all the estate youths involved in the revenge of Leonard does restore peace on the council estate and restores a stable equilibrium. At the end of the film Harry is seen walking through the tunnel he once feared with peace, through mis-en-scene the removal of the graffiti on the tunnel is shown and replaced with a white background, which shows purity, this also represents the removal of evil from the estate. Depth of field is used effectively to show Harry walking into the tunnel and being bigger than it, showing how he has overcome the antagonists and is more powerful now. Also the use of sound when the tunnel is now being shown is with quite calmly atmospheric music, rather than the suspenseful dark music that was associated with the tunnel previously. Through narrative Harry Brown has now finished his task and can return to his normal life. In The Dark Knight Batman’s role as a vigilante is not fully fulfilled, he does not completely stop the crime in Gotham and also has to leave Gotham. The narrative is able to continue in The Dark Knight as Batman still has tasks to fulfil which is why the films ends like this due to the fact it is the middle of the Batman triology. Although Batman leaves Gotham he is still shown through low and mid angle shots foreshadowing him regaining power and returning to Gotham. As he also leaves with the Batman costume and bike it shows he is still not finished and that he is to return a hero.

Looking at both The Dark Knight and Harry Brown, the protagonists of the film take up the role of a vigilante. Through both the films narratives, we see the characters progression as vigilantes.  In The Dark Knight and Harry Brown we see how through the motive of revenge and redemption both vigilantes (Harry Brown and Batman) therefore clean up the criminal society around them. This is seen with Harry Brown cleaning up the crime in the South London council estate and Batman cleaning up the crime in Gotham city. Although we as the audience see Harry Brown & Batman do morally wrong both protagonists escape punishment, this shows through narrative both films communicate that the protagonists are right through their actions. In Harry Brown we see Harry's equilibrium restored at the end of the film as the estate he lives in is no more infested with youth gang crime, rather replaced with peace. Also the fact that he has avenged his best friend Leonard's death by killing all those involved restores his equilibrium as he no longer feels guilty for the death. In the Dark Knight we see Batman's equilibrium still unstable as he does not avenge Rachel's death. Comparing both the two, Harry Brown is not as morally right compared to Batman. Harry kills many people and perhaps more than he needed to but Batman does not intentionally kill anyone and ends up leaving Gotham for greater good. Also because he no longer feels he is a worthy leader and also "Because he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now“.

Textual Analysis Essay Plan - (Narrative & Genre)

Textual analysis Essay Plan from D_owootomo

Thesis Statement for Textual Analysis

Harry Brown (released in 2009) and The Dark Knight (released in 2008) are two thriller films in which the narrative involves the protagonists take on the role of vigilantes; embarking on taking revenge for deaths they blame themselves for. Batman blames himself for the death of Rachel, who he has feelings for and Harry Brown blames himself for the death of his best friend Leonard. Through the motive of revenge Batman and Harry Brown end up cleaning up the mass criminal society around them, (Harry Brown with the South London council estate and Batman with Gotham city). As vigilantes Harry Brown and Batman end up committing morally wrong actions, but as the audience we never see them suffer for their actions, also through the long stride of violence Harry Brown and Batman follow and with the clear up of society, this shows that their wrong actions actually lead to positive results.

Harry Brown & The Dark Knight Key Scenes - (Textual Analysis)

 The Dark Knight Key Scenes

                                    

                                                           

Harry Brown Key Scenes

Harry's fear of the tunnel scene -

                                                                     Ending Scene -

Textual Analysis Conclusion

Looking at both The Dark Knight and Harry Brown, the protagonists of the film take up the role of vigilante. Through both the films narratives, we see the characters progression as vigilantes. The thriller genre is conveyed in the films through mystery and enigma codes as the audience follow the vigilantes on their journey and the suspense of the fate both Batman and Harry Brown will face.  In The Dark Knight and Harry Brown we see how through the seeking of revenge and redemption both vigilantes (Harry Brown and Batman) therefore clean up the criminal society around them. Harry Brown cleaning up the crime in the South London council estate and Batman cleaning up the crime in Gotham city. Although we as the audience see Harry Brown & Batman do morally wrong both protagonists escape punishment, this shows through narrative both films communicate that the protagonists are right through their actions. In Harry Brown we see Harry's equilibrium restored at the end of the film as the estate he lives in is no more infested with youth gang crime, but instead peace. Also the fact that he has avenged his best friend Leonard's death by killing all those involved restores his equilibrium as he no longer feels guilty for the death. In the Dark Knight we see Batman's equilibrium not restored as he does not avenge Rachel's death, and the Joker gets Harvey to join his side. Also we see Batman having to leave Gotham because he no longer feels he is a worthy leader.

Textual Analysis: Harry Brown vs The Dark Knight

Textual Analysis: Study of narrative & genre - The role of a vigilante.

Textual analysis Presentation from D_owootomo

V For Vendetta Propaganda Poster

This is my V for Vendetta propaganda poster in which I have used 7 key scenes to convey the message from the film 'stand up and be counted'. This task has helped me identify key scenes and the messages expressed through them.

Children of Men Key Scenes Themes & Messages Collage

This is the key scenes collage I have created, I believe these are the most significant scenes in Children of Men. By doing this collage I now can specifically identify key scenes from the film. All the key scenes communicate messages. The messages from the key scenes are (in order of pictures in the collage above):
War - The all out war at the end, combined with lots of mass media reports of war throughout the world shows the effects war has had in this futuristic world.
Oppression - The immigrants are kept in over crowded cells and are also beaten, this is very similar to the treatment of Jews in concentration camps.
Terrorism - The bomb set off in the first scene shows the regular terrorist attacks going on in this future dystopia England.
Sorrow - When Julian dies, Theo is very distraught. Sorrow is featured throughout the film with various disasters and deaths occurring and peoples reactions to them.
Human psyche - The news report at the start of the film reports on the youngest person in the world (18 years old) has died. Other events in the film like no child being born in 18 years also shows how people react to various situations.
Religion & Faith - When Theo finds out that Kee is pregnant and that she will be the first person to have a baby in 20 years, he regains his faith and agrees to help her. Religion is also featured as Kee being pregnant is a miracle, also the fact that Kee's pregnancy is unexpected and inconvenient making the pregnancy a religious allegory. This can arguably be compared with the story of Mary's pregnancy in the bible.
Violence - An armed gang shoot and kill Julian, and various times unjustified violence has been committed against people in the film.
Hope - Kee's new born baby signifies there is still hope for the world as know a baby has been born for the first time in 20 years.
Revolution - The group 'The Fishes', who the government say are terrorist kidnap Theo and tell him about their plans and how he is to help them, in which if they succeed will be revolutionary. They are also one of the few to stand up against the government in Children of Men. 

Dystopian Themes Collage

This is my dystopia themes collage, all the images used I believe are representative of dystopia themes in film. Also all the images relate to the 21st century world of today. Doing this task has enabled me to recognise the themes of dystopia in films as well as current on-goings in the world that are related to dystopia themes.

Comparison of Psycho & V For Vendetta Shower Scenes - (Camera Shots and Angles)

The two clips I have been looking at are both shower scenes from V for Vendetta and Psycho. Both are shot very differently through camera shots, angles and framing. This shot shows the amount of drugs in Prothero's bathroom, shifting the audiences focus away from him to the drugs. This is also one of the first shots, and shows that Prothero showering in this scene is not necessarily significant.

The first shot in the Psycho clip is of Marion Crane closing the door, then taking of her clothes. This suggests that the woman should be on her own in private and her naked body is secretive, also this may suggest that we as an audience are viewing her and therefore invading her privacy.  
A shot shows the various amount of things Prothero is doing whilst preparing to have his shower, the camera uses a medium long shot to show all that he is doing, drinking, watching the TV and talking on the phone. This shows his shower isn't that significant in the scene.

Looking at both shower scenes in Psycho and V for Vendetta they are quite different in terms of what is going on. In Psycho the woman is only shown undressing and having a shower doing nothing else, (also later being stabbed) this makes the scene more intimate and the audiences focus is on her while she showers. In V for Vendetta, Prothero is doing various things: taking pills, on a phone, watching the TV and still watching the TV whilst showering, this divides the audiences attention making him in the shower not to be the main focus in the scene.

There are several close-ups in Psycho especially on Marion Crane, it can be said that she is seen as a sex symbol as her body and face are the main focus throughout the scene, this also highlights her appearance. There is no depth of field used keeping the scene very intimate as it is only the shower that is used as the setting. Their is a graphic match between the shower hole and the woman's eye, showing that they are both similar in the fact they are lifeless, the woman has been killed and the shower hole is an inanimate object.

In V for Vendetta depth of field is used quite effectively with the wide bathroom being shown along with the entrance to the house, expanding the scene and using various settings. There are also no close-ups on Prothero in this scene showing that his appearance is not significant.

Looking at both the shower scenes in V for Vendetta and Psycho I would say that the shower scene from Psycho is an example of voyeurism, rather than V for Vendetta. There are multiple things on-going in V for Vendetta and there is no camera focus put on Prothero, also only mid shots are shown on his body (from shoulders up). Looking at Psycho the woman remains in focus and is mostly the main focus of the camera, she is also in an intimate space in which she is only showering. There are also side boob shots and her melodramatic happiness she experiences when showering looks like she's having an orgasm. Also her whole body is filmed from feet to head, this does suggest that she is the subject of voyeurism for the audience to view.

V for Vendetta Editing & Narrative Analysis

The first clip of V for Vendetta in which V and Evey are introduced the whole thing is done using continuity editing. The editing in the clip shows the use of cross cutting alternating between V and Evey which establishes a relationship between the two characters and foreshadows an encounter they will have.








The use of continuous editing is to give the clip a smooth transition as well as continuity and relationship being established through various shots included in the scene.








Cross cutting  adds suspense as well as giving smooth continuity to this scene from V for Vendetta. Cross cutting also suggests the two actions are happening simultaneously and enable the audience to create a deeper meaning of the relation the shots have with one another.

Both V and Evey are shown looking into a mirror in separate locations whilst also watching the TV and switching it of at the same time. Rhythmic editing is also used as both shots of the two shots are edited together so they follow the pace of each other and follow on from one another. 

Additionally through rhythmic editing both of the shots follow the pace of the background music, the cross cutting becomes shorter to build suspense up to the point where both the characters Evey and V encounter upon one another.

There is also a domino montage clip from the film V for Vendetta in which a lot of juxtaposition (the Kuleshov effect) .In this clip it starts with a cross cut between Eric Finch and a little girl both receiving a package containing a Guy Fawkes mask.

Due to the use of cross cut editing the sequences look like they are occurring simultaneously. The main two sequences that are going on at the same time and edited together in this scene are V in the room with the domino's and Finch with Dominic Stone at the detectives office. Several different shots are edited between these sequences. The use of juxtaposition editing enables the audience to create meanings and interpretations between the various shots used, a lot of foreshadowing the future along with flashbacks are used through juxtaposition in this scene.

By using a cross cut between Finch and the little girl receiving packages, although it only shows Finch recieving a package due to the cross cut edit the film suggests that both characters have received the same packages at the same time.





Then another shot is shown of the little girl with the Guy Fawkes mask on to confirm that her and Finch have received identical packages.






There is a cross cut to a man robbing a corner shop also with a Guy Fawkes mask, saying the words 'Anarchy in the UK', this foreshadows the danger the the country will have later.






The scene then cross cuts to Creedy being 'held responsible' by Sutler regarding the distribution of the masks and the close up on his face showing vengeance foreshadows the killing of Sutler by Creedy.




 A lot of various shots that have already been seen in the film are then featured again in the film through cross cutting, they all appear very quickly on screen to keep the mystery of the story. Although all the shots look random as they are all put together the audience create links between them to see how they are related to one another.

Shots of V lining up the domino's are continually shown, this shows that this is happening as the same time as Finch and Stone are talking at the police station.

A significant cross cut is used when it shows Evey and V both after undergoing torture and having similar body stances, this shows how both now are equally stronger because of what has happened to them.



In the scene it shows a future shot for the first time that hasn't yet happened of Creedy and his men shooting, but the person they are shooting is not shown to add to the suspense

A cross cut is shown of V finally completing the lining up of the domino's and then hitting them so they all fall down except one, their is a use frame editing by slowing down the film speed when showing the domino's.

This shows a more clear view of the domino's for the audience to see them falling down properly. The fact that one domino does not fall foreshadows that V has a problem involving his plan and this is later revealed as he dies whilst trying to fulfil the plan.