Silence of the Lambs - Climatic Chase Sequence

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Amy Govic

Silence of the Lambs – Climatic chase sequence

Story and production elements keep the audience on the edge of their seats during the climatic chase sequence of Silence of the Lambs (SOTL) which sees CS discover BB’s identity and pursue him into his underground lair. Inside JG house CS comes to the realisation that she is in the presence of the serial killer, BB, when the Death’s-head moth lands on the cotton reel. A CU reaction shot of CS expression shows the audience the moment of realisation.

BB’s underground lair is a labyrinth of dishevelled rooms each realising something more about his psychosis. The first room that CS enters reveals the dressing room. Situated in the middle of the room under a spot light, reveals the ‘human suit’. Initially CS is shocked to see the subject, first hand, before quickly realising BB is still on the loose. As CS continues to track BB down through the lair, she is on a downward path to find BB. The lighting symbolically gets darker giving each room a particular feel of inhumanity and insanity. The pit in which houses Catherine down a well is singly lit above, creating dramatic shadows, as seen under the eyes of Catherine, the exaggerated effects expresses to audiences how long she has been stuck there for and how mistreated she has been. The medical room  shows the extent to which he treats his victims with the green UV lighting highlights how he cuts up the victims limbs and stores them in the tank, after chopping them into pieces on the medical table under the blue light. CS then enters the bedroom  in which BB turns of the light and follows her in the dark.

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Each time CS bursts through the door the camerawork formula shows an objective view from CS, the camera then is on the other side waiting, giving the impression BB is on the other side of the door allowing audiences to see CS’s expression and reaction. When the door opens, CS is holding the gun toward the camera (audiences), building up the suspense and making the audience feel very uncomfortable as if could represent BB point of view (POV)to find that that BB is not in the room. Another component that contributes to building up the suspense is the diegetic sounds. ...

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