How does the third man establish and use elements
of film noir in the sewer scene?
By Amber Mackenzie
“The third man”
effectively uses and establishes many elements of film noir, especially within
the sewer scene. Elements include lighting, composition and mise en scene. All
of these are used to emphasise the themes within the film including the
disorientation and dark atmosphere in a literal and metaphorical sense.
This particular shot
uses deep shadows. These convey the fear displayed in the scene as the darkness
of the shadow dominates. In addition, the element mystery is also emphasised
through the use of shadows. The darkness makes the audience question what lies
within it as well as altering the atmosphere. The geometric lines divide the
scene creating separation between the characters. This dissociates them from each
other creating a sense of opposition which foreshadows the violence that
proceeds to take place within the sewer scene. These geometric lines, as well
as adding division to the scene, creates a sense of disorientation. This
replicates what would have been experienced by the characters in the chase
scene. This allows the audience to feel as if they are also within the scene.
This particular shot
uses light to create a representation of character. The rest of the shot is
dark, emphasising and foreshadowing the dark natured events that take place
within the tunnel. Then the light draws attention to the dark figure in the
middle coming closer towards the camera. This allows the audience to know this
is not a character that can be trusted and most certainly has a dark side.
Furthermore, the leading lines create a vanishing point which goes off screen
adding to the audience’s confusion as to where it eventually leads. Adding this
element of curiosity through shadows and geometrical lines engages the audience
allowing tension to build. This makes other themes of film noir more effective
such as big events being dramaticised.
Another shot emphasising the film noir elements of “the third man” sewer scene is this one. The mise en scene of the balcony is leading a line for the audience to follow the characters. Doing this adds drama to the scene as the intensity builds up. In addition, the vertices emphasise the disorientation illusion which has always been a running trend in film noir due to the depression causing confusion of the time inspiring this. In the bottom left corner, this dominating shadow emphasises power and fear in addition to further emphasising the metaphorical darkness, as such, within the characters themselves. The shadow allows things to be hidden, making reference to the hidden secrets characters may contain or “darker sides”
Another shot emphasising the film noir elements of “the third man” sewer scene is this one. The mise en scene of the balcony is leading a line for the audience to follow the characters. Doing this adds drama to the scene as the intensity builds up. In addition, the vertices emphasise the disorientation illusion which has always been a running trend in film noir due to the depression causing confusion of the time inspiring this. In the bottom left corner, this dominating shadow emphasises power and fear in addition to further emphasising the metaphorical darkness, as such, within the characters themselves. The shadow allows things to be hidden, making reference to the hidden secrets characters may contain or “darker sides”
In summary, the
sewer scene in “the third man” uses elements of film noir through composition
of shots with geometric lines in addition to large, ghastly shadows. The mise
en scene of the shots further emphasises this through this dark atmosphere.
