The Quick and The Dead

The cinematography within the extract is limited. It reuses many shots like establishing and high angle shots. The beginning scene shows broken machinery in a desert with a low angled shot suggesting the persona is too upset/damaged to contemplate what’s happening. This can also relate to the shot of the man digging, almost resembling he’s digging his own grave. They use these to create distance between characters and to build a general overview of the world. It also sets the mood for the film and works with lighting (natural high key lighting) to judge safety and security. They also use close ups in a variety of angles to build strength to a character; the female cowboy is often shown at a low angle to show her empowerment. Other characters are either filmed in high angle or eye-level which again shows how inferior they are to the woman. The close ups also exaggerate the mise-en-scene and the fact the town is in the middle of nowhere; there is nothing else to see. This brings back the underlining tone of isolation and pre-judgement.

The entire sequence also continuously uses the rule of thirds. Like when they enter the town, she walks through the middle of a road that splits buildings into two rows. It could state the rivalry and danger between people. This also evidential from the shots of people inside building staring at the woman (captured using a tracking shot going left and right). They use an editing technique called parallel editing so we know they are looking her and nobody else; it creates an uneasy and suspenseful atmosphere. Outside of the town, laws of nature occur but inside the laws of society occur; the town creates the laws which builds to their stereotype of freedom within reason.

One particular shot of interest is used when introducing new characters. When she enters the bar, a framing shot is used with back lighting; it suggests a dark side to her and creates suspicion around her persona. However, in the ending shot she is shown with high key lighting with a dark background; it suggests she has an innocent aspect to her to personality. This also shows her paranoia because her face with key lighting represents her but the dark background shows her dark past (also signified by the way she handles herself when the enters the room again).  Her face isn’t shown for long either which builds mystery around her character.

Women in westerns are sexualised and are used as damsels in distress. Only in modern movies are women now being presented as powerful (however some dialogue and outfits are stills sexualised). The main protagonist in this extract is strong and feared, yet is still dressed as a stereotypical male cowboy. A series of shots that shows this is when enters the town as is being stared at. She is wearing layers and a trench coat whereas the ‘damsels’ were wearing corsets and slim fitting dresses.

A prisoner is also introduced later on. We recognise he is a prisoner from his uniform and his walk is also very masculine; it shows he’s not afraid of anyone else (due to his past in prison). This is also shown when he physically cuts his arm with a knife, this symbolises strength and suggests he has grown immune to pain. This is shown in one continuous shot which shows his violent nature and everyone’s eyes are on him (also should be noted it wasn’t shot in P.O.V). They used tracking left and right to signify although it’s a small area he has made a big impact. It also builds distance from when the man rides away on the horse. He enters the bar and we hear diegetic sound. We hear bottles smashing, yelling and punch sounds; it builds to his overbearing persona and how unprepared/on-edge other characters are.