Good Uses Of Music And Imagery In Films

After Fridays lesson I began to think about the importance of sound and image, and how the combination of the two have created really powerful moments in cinema. Here are a few moments that stood out to me, and I hope to use them to help inspire me with my project.


The Ride Of The Valkyries - Apocalypse Now

I think the music at this point of the film really emphasises the death at destruction being shown onscreen.




Cavalleria Rusticana - Raging Bull

This is one of my favourite films, and I think that the music fits perfectly with the opening sequence of the film. First of all the editing means that pretty much as soon as the audience see's Jake La Motta, the crescendo of the music has kicked in. As well as this the reason Scorsese picked this music was because when he was growing up (in an Italian Neighbourhood), he used to hear this piece of music coming from peoples apartments constantly. The music therefore makes a link to the background of the central character of the film (having grown up in a similar neighbourhood as Scorsese). There is also a very interesting juxtaposition between what is essentially a very beautiful piece og music, and boxing, which is a violent sport. How the actual film is slowed down makes this opening very powerful as the shadowboxing seems graceful, almost as an artform when matched with the slow playing of the violin.

Holiday (The Beegees) - NowhereTo Hide

I think the music is really ironic seeing the content of the scene. However, the way in which the scene has been slowed right down makes the action seem more dramatic, especially where the victim falls down the steps and grabs his umbrella.