Shadow of a doubt

1943 was when the thriller 'shadow of a doubt was made, and is one of Alfred Hitchcock's favourites out of all he's thiller creations. In class we watched the opening to this film and did some analysis using the mise en scene sequence.

Settings and Props

The begining of the scene is set in a bedroom where the light is very dim which suggest that it is day time. Many props were used such as a cigar; this cigar that was held in the hand of Uncle Charlie suggested to us, the audience that he is a wealthy man and is able to afford such possessions. We are then shown cash scattered over a table beside the bed and also on the floor. As the money is on the floor it suggest to us that it is not so important to Uncle Charlie meaning that, that amount of money is near enough worthless to him. Another prop that was used is an empty glass, which Uncle Charlie picks up and throws it at the wall because of his rage.

Positioning of characters and objects within the frame
When Charlie is outside the apartment he was in he is in the middle of the frame. There are two men who are after him and they're in the foreground of the frame, as charlies becomes in the background, the two guys are on either side, which reveals and suggests that Charlie is trapped.

Costume, Hair and Make upIn the opening sequence Uncle Charlie is wearing a suit which seems to look very expensive and his hair is slicked back with gel.


Lighting and Colour
At first light is seen entering the room where Uncle Charlie is in laying on his bed, darkness is then comes about as a woman comes into the room and pull the blinds down. From this Charlie is then brought to life, getting up from his bed and begins to move around, this here suggests that he likes the darkness, this allows as to believe he is the antagonist in the film.

Facial expressions and Body language 

At the begining as Uncle Charlie is laying on his bed, his facial expressions showed that he was tired, calm and in a relaxed state.