Table of Contents
German Expressionism Influenced Elements
Video and Editing
Storyline
Lighting
In conclusion
Alfred Joseph Hitchcock’s film career is so significant that he has been dubbed Master of Suspense. Hitchcock produced and directed films with German Expressionists during the 20th-century, which inspired his career. Alfred Hitchcock was an apprentice of UFA in Germany, the national film studio of Germany during the silent film era. Hitchcock’s films reflected this influence by incorporating expressionistic features like high contrasts, harsh lightings, sharp angles, dramatic shadows and dramatic backgrounds. Hitchcock will borrow features from Expressionists in two of his films: The 39 Steps, 1935 and The Lady Vanishes, 1938.
The 39 Steps was the first film by the director. It also carried elements of German Expressionists. The Lady Vanishes revolves around a Lady who has disappeared, Ms. Froy on a train bound for England. A snow avalanche delays the train for a whole day. Travelers use this time to chat. Iris becomes friends with Ms. Froy and, as the train prepares to leave, Iris finds it difficult to recognize her. Gilbert, an aspiring musician, helped her to find Ms. Froy. Richard Hannay (a middle-aged South African man) travels back to the United States in The39 step. When he reaches London, he is greeted by a spy. The spy informs him of the war that will break out between Germany & Great Britain as a result of an attack planned by The black Stone. Hannay’s flat is soon found to be empty. He escapes the police as well as the assassins. He tracks the assassins in Scotland and works with police to stop The Black Stone’s plan.
German Expressionists influenced by editing and camera work. Their editing skills were modest. They used techniques like reverse shots and crosscutting. Their movies were also slow-paced to allow the audience to fully appreciate the visuals. A simple, functional camerawork was used. The films were centered around the sets. Camera movement was at an angle of straightness and level. The Lady Vanishes as well as The 39 Steps follow this camera technique. The Lady Vanishes begins with an extended slow-motion panorama that shows the fictional Bandrika Nation and its surrounding region. The actors will also be able to see the scene.
German Expressionists, too, used design to create their films. They also used unique and different camera angles to conceptualize the audience and the significance of the character, situation or place. The 1930s were a time of spying, and even the director’s movies featured spies. The Lady Vanishes had Ms. Froy as the spy, and in The 39 Steps it was Hannay who died at the apartment of the spy.
Avalanche forced all passengers to stay in Ms. Froy’s room. Camera frame set at the entrance to balcony. Expressionists’ technique used to zoom into the doorframe. The 39 Steps opening scene is a good example of subjective shots used by the German Expressionists. Robert Donat’s view in the locked room with the stabbed body of a spy shows how subjective shots are used. Donat is able to see spies walking down the street. Donat’s vision is what the audience sees. The reverse shot in The 39 Steps is another characteristic of Donat’s films.
PlotGerman expressionist films dealt with dark themes in society. The films were made during a time of turmoil in Germany, when the country was still recovering from the World War. These films were intended to help Germans recover from the effects of war while also reminding them of their past. Hitchcock, who had begun his apprenticeship with UFA, used this knowledge in The 39 Steps as well as The Lady Vanishes. The Lady Vanishes for instance, is a film that shows how the exotic British plan of Chamberlain was reflected in crystals on the surface.
This is illustrated by the kidnapping and abduction of Miss Froy. Ms. Froy then reveals to Gilbert, Iris and others that she is an agent of the British government who must carry the message E to Whitewall. In The 39 Steps, there is a spy. The spy is also in possession of critical information about the conflict between Great Britain Germany. Hannay’s home is the location of the murder. Hitchcock was influenced by the German Expressionists who were war veterans and decided to express their feelings in art.
Hitchcock is known to have been influenced in part by German Expressionism’s use lightning. Lightning was used as a way to express themes. In German Expressionist films, the dark shadows cast on villains’ faces were used to show their evil. Hitchcock uses lighting in his films. He used lighting to create suspense by demonstrating circumstances. Hitchcock uses flashing lights or darks to show the audience what is happening in The Lady Vanishes.
The train’s lighting goes out whenever there is a sudden event, and the audience is left wondering what will happen. Iris and Gilbert dance together while the lights dim until they’re dancing on their own. The 39 Steps uses lighting to create moods and locations. For example, the scenes can be set in Scotland or a large mansion. The lighting sets the tone of the movie for audiences.
ConclusionAlfred Joseph Hitchcock, during his apprenticeship at UFA in the early 1960s, acquired a wide range of filmmaking skills that he used throughout his career. His skills in lighting and camerawork helped him to achieve his best work. Hitchcock adapted lighting aspects to suit the situation. German Expressionists were known for using slow camera movements and unorthodox angles. The 39 Steps also has this trait, the reverse shot during the dinner scene. Alfred Hitchcock portrayed the German Expressionist movement in his film production by using expressionistic elements such as harsh lighting, sharp angle, and dramatic shades.
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