Genre
The opening sequence of the film contrasts to the genre.
- Context: Then and now. The film would be received in 1932 as a horror, whereas watching the film from a present day perspective is not frightening.
- Only ‘Freak(y)’ thing about it is the narrative. The film techniques per say can be seen generic of the genre, especially for the time. For example Horror films often have very generic cinematography during the first act, as well as mise en scene etc. It tricks the audience into believing that they are not watching anything horrific.
- Contrasts to present day horror- Where it will try and lure the audience in with an enticing opening sequence.
-Had to end a happy ending, so the audience did not find it too horrific.
Context
-Todd Brownings preceding horror film was Dracula (1931) which is a very supernatural story. An audience know that the story is all fiction. Where as Freaks is scary in a different way, as not only is the story believable, but Tod Browning actually went out and found people who were physically disabled to take part in the film, necessary as CGI was not around back then. This certainly could trigger a shocking emotional reaction from an audience.
Opening Scene
- Everything in the opening scene is well lit, we can see everything, does not illustrate the genre.
- The camera cutting between the three characters illustrates a love triangle, cuts to Freida, Hans, and Cleopatra.
Scene 2 - Dancing outside
- Depiction of how these ‘Freaks’ are accepted by society, the man goes over and yells at them for no apparent reason - The audience are scared of what they don’t understand.
- Shot analysis: The children hugging the mother like figure. All the children are illuminated white as is the mother, which could illustrate purity, they contrast to the background which is all dark, which could symbolise the darkness and hatred of the rest of the world. Even the men in the scene are darker than the Children. The depth of field in the shot really creates a sense of us and them.
- The repetition of the man saying ‘Children’ and then the shot changing to the big close up of the ‘freaks’ (circus performers) could illustrate how actually their innocent in the world. Also the man is shocked at the fact that they are actually children (Or the mental age of children as they are 30 odd years old). The normal men are the audience watching the film.
Scene 3 - Wedding feast.
- Contrast to the opening sequence where Freida is suspicious of Hans feelings towards Cleopatra. Only we now see the Hans is truly in love with Cleopatra. The big close up of Freida’s face let the audience know just how sad she is, an we are made to feel sorry for her.
- The mother like figure is there to comfort yet again.
- Cuts between close ups of the sad characters in the scene, both Hans and Freida are sad.
-Feel bad for Hans the entire scene, he’s treated like a child. He’s very tearful as he’s picked up and put on Cleopatras shoulders. He is ashamed of how he is. Again the audiences emotional response is sad.
Scene 4- Storm scene (climax)
- All diegetic sound makes you feel like the audience are in the scene with the characters, gives a really eerie feeling to the scene. Also shown through the emotionless faces of the circus performers.
- The freaks have become the monsters that they were originally judged to be.
- The ominous thunderstorm foreshadows the events happening that night. The evil of cleopatras plot, the audience feel nervous for what is to come.
- The low angle cinematography of all the shots puts the audience into the perspective of Hercules, watching the circus performers surround him with lots of deadly weapons.
- At the time of the film release the transition between scenes (jump cut) would have been horrifying. It’s left to the audience imagination what happened to Cleopatra (what they did to turn into the duck). They cut out of the film what happened to Hercules. From a modern day perspective this transition is more curious than terrifying.
Quotes from ‘Freaks’
“I could not believe my own eyes!” - Critic what the audiences emotional reaction to the film would be, shocked at what they are seeing, do not know what to believe.
“Offend one and you offend them all.” -
“Their rules are rigidly adhered to and the hurt of one is the hurt of all; the joy of one is the joy of all.” -
“She don’t know us; but she’ll find out.”
“She’s one of us” - “One of use” - the whole table chanting. They have accepted Cleopatra. Contrasts to previous scenes where they are saying she’s not one of us.
