Cinematography analysis in chinatown chinatown is based on roman polanskis lifeworks. Revolving around the true story of hugh glass, an american frontiersman contracted as a scout for a fur trading company, the revenant transports us to the american rockies in the early nineteenth century to tell a. Jan 01, 2016 on the revenant by david thomson on january 1, 2016 the first time i saw the revenant, i felt it was the movie of the year, the most beautiful and eloquent, as vital as the desperate breath of characters in the cold clouding the camera lens. This summary of this scene is a bit extensive, so bear with me. Set in the american west in 1823, the revenant depicts a transitional period for the american frontier. Punke has added considerably to our understanding of human endurance and. Jun 20, 2002 the revenant is fascinating story about a man who suffers countless tragedy at the hands of nature and man, and seeks redemption.
Secrets behind the cinematography of the revenant reel. The revenant premiered at the tcl chinese theatre on december 16, 2015, and had a limited release on december 25, expanding on january 8, 2016. The revenant summary supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Polanskis goal is to emphasizes the meaning of how cinematography is made, and how it inspires by understanding the concept of setting, lighting, and how the image is captured. Smith base their script on michael punkes eventful historical novel called the revenant.
The definition of a revenant, from the title of the book, is a person who returns, supposedly from the dead. Today we are going to be taking a closer look at the revenant, directed by alejandro g. This missing part also explains why the film lacks a certain amount of heart. Cinematography in the revenant essaysfor many years, motion pictures have been a primary form of entertainment. Analysis of the movie the revenant 1953 words cram. Based on the true story of 1800s frontiersman hugh glass leonardo dicaprio, who was left for dead in a harsh winter. Punke has added considerably to our understanding of human endurance and of the men who pushed west in the footsteps of lewis and clarka significant feat. The principals of movie making are utilized for the enhancement of our cinematic experience. The revenant is a brutal western, set in filmmaker alejandro gonzalez inarritu shot the film chronologically, using only natural sunlight and firelight in remote areas of canada and argentina. Hugh glass apparently anticipated horace greeleys advice about going west and growing up with the country, for that is precisely what he did.
That novel is in turn based on the 1915 poem the song of hugh glass. A novel of revenge is a 2002 novel by american author michael punke, based on a series of events in the life of american frontiersman hugh glass in 1823 missouri territory. The minimal supporting cast is good, and its nice to see gleeson continue to have an incredible 2015 also in brooklyn, ex machina and star wars. Anyone can set a camera on a tripod and hit record, but the artistry of cinematography comes in controlling what the viewer sees or doesnt see and how the image is presented. The cinematography is unbelievable and the fact that the whole film was shot only in natural light makes it even more amazing. The cinematography is as relentlessly beautiful as glass journey is frozen. The revenant by michael punke goodreads share book. This video is part of a much larger body of work by dop and allround awesome guy, matt workman. Glass survives the impossible on more than one occasion.
A primer on the cinematic techniques of 3time oscar. I want to have a similiar look although different to the revenant. Jun 20, 2016 the cinematography of star wars the force awakens duration. The resulting film, however, has made lubezki the oddson favorite to win an unprecedented third consecutive oscar for cinematography. In short, the revenant isnt the best movie ive seen this year, but it is undoubtedly the bestcrafted. Baftas destination for youngsters to come and discover the magical worlds of film, television and games. This cinematography that conveys key feelings of our protagonist is what makes this film so memorable. This is probably the most beautiful film i have ever seen. The revenant is a very long and very intense movie. Cinematography is the act of capturing photographic images in space through the use of a number of controllable elements. Glass has a hallucination of a snake with black eyes. For the revenants scenerybesottedness one cause of its longwindedness we cant wholly blame him. The revenant cinematographer emmanuel lubezki used natural.
Honestly, the only reason i took the time out to see the revenant is because i really like inarritus films and lubezki is flatout amazing. The cinematography in the revenant is just unbelievable. Enter challenges, watch videos, and take part in our annual vote to decide the best film, tv show and game of the year. The title of the film means resurrection and it is most glaringly referencing christs ascension when glass survives after nearly being buried to death. A novel of revenge about reallife frontiersman hugh. Tom hardy is less effective, often going a little too heavy on the tics wide eyes, shot upclose, but i think thats a fault of the. British columbia in all weathers playing the us midwest is lensed by emmanuel lubezki as if he had gorged on the complete works of jmw turner and cd friedrich. Film is a visual medium, and the bestshot films are ones where you can tell whats going on without. Tom hardys increasingly impressive array of acting talent and prominence. The revenant is a 2015 american drama film directed by alejandro gonzalez inarritu. Why is the revenants 2015 cinematography considered so. This is a try of the unknown american wild, astonishing explorer hugh glass leonardo dicaprio is furiously struck by a bear and left for dead by people from his own particular pursuing gathering. I know that mostly natural light was used, and i am in the same boat due to traveling restraint. The last point is important as it does seem the authors intent is to say something deeply meaningful about revenge and leaving judgment up to the rushing waters of god.
Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Dec 29, 2015 there could be no better title for michael punkes high spirited western novel. The revenant cinematographer emmanuel lubezki on violence, bear attacks and those brutal locations. These include the quality of the film stock, the manipulation of the camera lens, framing, scale and movement some theoreticians and film historians bordwell, thompson would also include duration, or the length of the shot, but we discuss the long take. Brilliant filmmaking with an almoststory, the revenant is a gritty experience of one mans will to surviveand seek revenge. Brilliant filmmaking with an almoststory, the revenant is a gritty experience of.
The snake is a symbol of the trouble lying ahead for glass. Oct 25, 2019 a quick analysis of the cinematography and nature in the revenant. The fact that they only had natural light to work with and how good some of the shots were ive never seen a movie shot that way. Exploring the story of the revenant, three different ways and how the film changes things. Although the filmmakers took some liberties in bringing the story to life, the events shown in the movie are, remarkably, based on true events. Birdman director alejandro gonzalez inarritus new movie pitches leonardo. The revenant is filled with fascinating and true historical details. A novel of revenge, which follows the true story of hugh glass.
Movie analysis movie analysis discussion 1 the revenant. In the blockbuster, leonardo dicaprio plays hugh glass, a seemingly indestructible savage machine. The washington post book world a captivating tale of a singular individualauthenticity is exactly what the revenant provides, in. The deeper meaning behind the revenant i recently read a very detailed blog post entitled the revenant explained, which analyzes some of the underlying themes within the revenant and puts forth some interesting explanations about the film that i had not thought about nor seen talked about anywhere else on the internet. This is the third consecutive cinematography oscar for emmanuel lubezki. Craig johnson, author of the walt longmire novels a superb revenge story. This scene in particular consists of four characters. Three books on the life of hugh glass were written long before michael punkes 2002 novel, the revenant, including the closest thing to a historical account, the saga of. The first scene i am going to analyze is from the film the revenant 2015 starring leonardo dicaprio. The wide angles the use of fire in some scenes to make it more realistic and natural was absolutely incredible. The last point is important as it does seem the authors intent is to say something deeply meaningful about revenge and leaving judgment up. This movie is filled with violence as they battle indians and each other the entire movie, but its also filled with stunning visuals. The revenant ultius take 10% off expires in h m s use code save10u during checkout. Secrets behind the cinematography of the revenant reel deal.
It will be in a variety of environments mostly forests and mountainous locations. Feb 28, 2016 emmanuel lubezki wins best cinematography for the revenant at the 88th academy awards ceremony on sunday, february 28, 2016 at the dolby theater in hollywood, calif. The word revenant means someone who has risen from the grave to terrorize the living. Thats an impressive feat, but even more so when you consider that he also took home the oscar in the same category in 2015 for birdman and in 2014 for gravity, and has been nominated a total of eight times, making him the first cinematographer to win three.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the revenant. Inarritu came out last year in 2015, after seeing it at cinema i thought it was amazing. Now before i begin my breakdown of the revenant, i must first state for the record, im not a fan of digital cinema what so ever. Mar 20, 2016 secrets behind the cinematography of the revenant ive recently discovered this indepth video breakdown by the cinematography database for the revenant shot by now threetime academy award winning director of photography and master of the craft, emmanuel chivo lubezki. If there is an important element in miseenscene then cinematography is it. Paul thomas andersons epic drama, there will be blood, floored critics in 2007 and was nominated for best picture. The revenant is fascinating story about a man who suffers countless tragedy at the hands of nature and man, and seeks redemption. Its so compelling because it is based the real life of hugh glass. Inarritu produced by arnon milchan, steve golin, alejandro g.
Leonardo dicaprio stars in a film that is visually sumptuous but dramatically. Author of the revenant source novel banned from talking about film. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the revenant by sonia gensler. As it happens, this meaning gels perfectly with the book, as glass is presumed dead but returns to strike vengeance down on his enemies. The highly acclaimed 2015 movie the revenant stunned audiences with its gripping story and beautiful cinematography, weaving an epic tale of resilience and revenge. For the revenant s scenerybesottedness one cause of its longwindedness we cant wholly blame him. Cinematography of nature worship october 25, 2019 by our changing climate leave a comment a quick analysis of. Our story begins with the rocky mountain fur company. Ive recently discovered this indepth video breakdown by the cinematography database for the revenant shot by now threetime academy award winning director of photography and master of the craft, emmanuel chivo lubezki. The revenant is horrifying in portrayal of revenge. In these pages, we discover historical fiction at its best.
Skotchdopole and keith redmon screenplay by mark l. Leonardo dicaprios the revenant is brutal and beautiful. The revenant is a 2011 youngadult supernatural mystery novel. The revenant is a christian film, appropriating the betrayal of christ to the frontier setting. While trapping beavers along the missouri river, the group gets involved in a battle with the arikara tribe, a battle that eventually ropes in the u. The basic premise the readers follow is glasss will to not only survive, but get revenge on those who wronged him. I had mixed feelings about this, its a great movie overall and undoubtably there were some fantastic things about the movie and its cinematography in particular, however i feel that its simultaneously a lesson in how to and how not to use cin. A little in depth analysis of the novel the revenant by michael punke and alejandro inarritus latest. Reviewed by damien straker on the th of january 2016 fox presents a film by alejandro g. Jan 09, 2016 the revenant isnt for the squeamish, but its violence i hesitate even to use that term, because it connotes a directorial choice rather than an accurate depiction of reality never becomes morally problematic. The revenant takes all these aspects in stride to strongly assert itself as one of the most cutthroat action films of this season. A primer on the cinematic techniques of 3time oscarwinning. A novel of revenge kindle edition by punke, michael. The cinematography is the technique that captures the movement of images in motion pictures.
While exploring uncharted wilderness in 1823, legendary frontiersman hugh glass sustains injuries from a brutal bear attack. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. In the afterward, the author michael punke explains that many of the moments in his book are in fact fiction. The cinematography of the revenant posted on january 16, 2017 january 16, 2017 by sleduc posted in le duc tagged analysis, cinematography, film, ib. And while thats all entirely accurate, the revenant aspires to be something more a haunting glimpse of alien northern landscapes untouched by human hands, within which a lone. The story is based in part on michael punkes 2002 book the revenant. First of all, i read the revenant before it ever became a film. When his hunting team leaves him for dead, glass must utilize. Mar 01, 2016 i love his cinematography, but there are a lot of factors that play into what makes a beautiful image. The cinematography of the revenant cinematographer. The revenant is a beautiful film and a different cinematographer might not have used the camera as effectively as lubezki, but there were times where i felt like the film was an arri alexa advert, especially knowing that the whole film was shot with natural light. Hugh glass the revenant protagonist was even more badass in real life duration.
Smith and inarritu is based in part on michael punkes 2002 novel of the same name, describing frontiersman hugh glasss. The cinematography of moonlight with cinematographer james laxton duration. The revenant visual style and cinematography visual. Among the numerous commentaries that have been written about the revenant, a golden globe winning film that many are predicting will clean up at the oscars, leonardo dicaprios acceptance speech for best actor has been noted for his praise of first nations, which he concluded as follows. This study guide consists of approximately 36 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the revenant. Analysis of the movie the revenant 1424 words bartleby. If emmanuel lubezki doesnt win an oscar for cinematography it will be a crime. Mar 16, 2016 on february 28 emmanuel lubezki won his third consecutive oscar for best cinematography for the revenant, starring leonardo dicaprio. The only real problem is the pacing, some of the sections which being an anthology are totally unrelated are way too long and if. The revenant finds beauty in the brutality of survival. The revenant is outwardly simple, but inwardly complex, playing with themes that range from the brutality of nature to the treatment of indigenous peoples. A frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team.
The revenant shoot challenged cinematographer emmanuel chivo lubezki, who used nothing but natural light in freezing conditions. Everything about the actor, the objects, and the setting can be imbued with a variety of meanings depending on how the cinematography is orchestrated. Jan 14, 2016 for the revenants scenerybesottedness one cause of its longwindedness we cant wholly blame him. The revenant cinematography is a round of bent, and inarritu ought to be a gold medalist, concerning filmmaking, with staggering practical effects. Though the book was published some years ago, it seems to be garnering more attention with a rerelease, as well as anticipation of the movie the revenant starring leonardo dicaprio, due out in january 2016. Inspired by upton sinclairs ninetyyear old novel oil. The novel was later adapted as a screenplay for a 2015 feature film directed by alejandro g. The marketing materials for the revenant have pitched the movie as a canadianwilderness revenge drama starring leonardo dicaprio, who gets smashed around by a gigantic bear. The makings of a western classic, michael punkes novel the revenant provides muscle and sinew to the vengeful and epic tale of mountain man, hugh glass that even a sow grizzly couldnt rend asunder. Emmanuel lubezki won the 2015 academy award for best cinematography.
1398 6 465 795 647 1040 362 1256 899 14 825 1379 230 871 863 973 1423 206 734 1220 192 474 109 639 307 494 580 855 867 307 792 171 1097 228 554 657 1401 481 1395 1183 625 911 964 656 978 799 856 64 1293