I expressed my admiration for long scenes that play out through single takes in last Friday’s post. If you haven’t read that yet, you’ll find the background for this piece there.
Once again, I present an example from Joseph Losey’s brilliant 1963 film, The Servant. You should see the entire movie to fully understand the context as well as subtext of the clip, but absent that, you can marvel at Douglas Slocombe, BSC’s expertise – not to mention the sheer nerve it took for Losey to commit to this choice.
Brilliant collaboration between Joseph Losey and Douglas Slcombe along with an excellent crew. It is very seldom, if at all, we are given the time needed for these outstanding cinemagraphic moments.
Technically magnificent and choreographed like a ballet.
What a wonderful drawn out scene. Most viewers today probably wouldn’t
appreciate the length. The ringing of the clock was twelve times in each
scene. It must ring twelve times all the time or it may have been midnight in this scene, and noon in the previous scene.
Ken – Or…they purposely dubbed the ringing of the clock at the precise moment in post-production! 😉
Richard, You are correct .
It’s interesting how the ringing contributed to the mood of scene.
It reminded me of when I young and would visit an elder relative
that had one these clocks on the mantle. Of course it was the 60’s.
It’s all the little details that made the scene complex with the shadow of the
figure and the use of the mirror on the wall.
Thanks for bringing these films to our attention!