Bohm 1

Christine Bohm COMP-LIT 381: Self-Reflexive Avant-Garde Film October 7, 2008

Assignment I: Scene analysis in The crimes of Dr. Mabuse

Dr. Baums transformation into Dr. Mabuse belongs to one of the most impressive scenes in Fritz Langs movie The crimes of Dr. Mabuse. In the following Im going to analyze the first shot in terms of mise-en-scene and the implied atmosphere. Then Im going to focus on the last parallel shots in the scene, between Dr. Baum and his counterpart Dr. Mabuse. In the beginning of the scene we have an establishing shot from the right high-angle (shot 1), showing Dr. Baum sitting in his study and going over Dr. Mabuses notes. At first sight the furnishing of Dr. Baums study doesnt seem exceptional: a spacious room with a big old wooden desk and chairs in the middle and bookcases on the wall. But the lighting points to the odd African masks which surround him. The combination of hard key sidelight and soft fill light creates oversized attached shadows on the left wall behind the masks and turns the cozy study into a weird place. The viewer gets the impression that the masks are watching Dr. Baum and that something is going to happen in this place. While reading Dr. Mabuses essay Domination by terror to himself, Dr. Mabuses voice is heard simultaneously. Reality and dream seem to mix, which is visualized in the following shots. Dr. Baum opens his eyes and sees the ghost of Dr. Mabuse. In the second analyzed shot, Lang uses a medium close up of Dr. Baums face from a straight-on angle to emphasize Dr. Baums inner state. The three-point lighting creates a balanced shot with Dr. Baums face in the center and the blurry study in the background. The hard key light from right frontal and the fill lighting from the left side create attached shadows on the actors face to bring out his sharp outlines. Not only the attached shadows, but also the make-up support his facial expression: dark make-up on his eyeholes underline the wrinkles and the dark circles around the eyes. With the deep cheekbones the face seems overall more edged. While using a medium close-up shot, hiding out the setting and emphasizing the actors facial expression it is obvious that Dr. Baum is the center

Bohm 2

of the shot. The viewer has no other possibility than to focus on Dr. Baums reaction and is lead to what happens next. The next medium long shot (shot 3) shows Dr. Mabuse as see-throw ghost, sitting on a chair in front of Dr. Baum. The lighting and the special effects cause a supernatural and mysterious atmosphere. The hard lighting from the left side lights only the upper part of his body and throws indefinable cast shadows on the wall behind him. The special effects used in this scene make it hard to create a concrete analysis of the lighting, but it is clear that the emphasis lies on Dr. Mabuses face. The facial features are hardly recognizable as it is not more than a light spot. The dark background of Dr. Baums study and the light, almost vanishing ghost of Dr. Mabuse stand in contrast to each other and evoke surprise. They underline Dr. Mabuses sudden appearance. The next shot is very similar to shot 2 in terms of mise-en-scene. It uses the same lighting and make-up, but uses a close up-shot in instead. In comparison to shot 2, the background is barely recognizable; only the face is. Supporting that, the action style is now more exaggerated. The eyes are wide open and the right eyebrow is raised. The mouth is also a little open. The acting style reveals no doubt in the characters state of shock and hypnosis. Shot 5 stands in close connection to shot 4. Again a close up is used; only showing Dr. Mabuses reptile like face. Both shots are very similar as they are shot from the same angle, level and distance. Dr. Mabuses head is though in comparison to Dr. Baums a little bit more close and therefore more cut. The lighting and the elaborate make-up support Dr. Mabuses scary appearance. The hard frontal lighting throws cast shadows on his eyes and a cope of light on his nose and mouth. The background is totally dark and cant be recognized anymore. It seems as if Dr. Mabuse is located in a different setting and had been coming out of the dark to reveal himself. The make-up is also quite remarkable. The make-up artists achieved to mix Dr. Mabuses characteristical facial features (the hooked nose, slim mouth and bald patch) with supernatural characteristics. Especially the hinted brain and the eyes draw off the attention. His eyes clearly resemble reptile eyes and stand in contrast to Dr. Baums wide eyes. The difference is though that Dr. Mabuses eyes seem empty and cold, almost hypnotizing, as Dr. Baums eyes reveal his state of shock. Dr. Mabuses face seems almost like a life-like mask which contributes to the low-key acting style.

Bohm 3

Shot 2 to 5 are cut consecutively and can be interpreted as parallelism. It visualizes the encounter of Dr. Baum and Dr. Mabuse; more precisely the encounter of reality and dream, reason and madness. The last shot displays this final encounter and readopts all aspects of mise-en-scene analyzed before. Dr. Mabuse finally achieves to

Bohm 4

Appendix

Shot 1

Shot 2

Shot 3

Shot 4

Shot 5

Shot 6