A Comprehensive Exploration of The Mummy... - Copy
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Running head: THE MUMMY FILM ANALYSIS 1
The Mummy (1932) through Socio-Political, Technical, and Content
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THE MUMMY FILM ANALYSIS 2
The thought of a mummy coming to life after hundreds of years is a scary one. This occurs in Karl Freund's The Mummy
(1932), which represents some of the events in history in the
1930s. This movie made me feel chills due to its reflection of the period’s socio-political realities. Freund did a great job of connecting the events in this film to the social context of the period while still sticking to the themes. I think the combination of the film’s basics and subject matter makes this movie familiar to viewers as it represents fears during the great depression. I was really impressed by the film’s ability to replay the horrors of the great depression that happened in the early 1930s. I found the characters who were dealing with threats and fears during the economic hardship to be relatable. As the film progresses, the Mummy is awakened from its ancient sleep, symbolizing the buried troubles that resurface during financial difficulty. Indeed, I was fascinated by the film’s take on the world's fascination with Egyptology when archeologists discovered Tutankhamun's tomb. The other thing they did well was showing the attraction of ancient Egypt, with its ancient history. However, I was unsure whether Freund unintentionally continued spreading colonial policies towards Egypt and its cultural heritage. In my opinion, the lighting in the film is what gave it a timeless and eerie effect. The chiaroscuro lighting enhanced the atmosphere in the movie and was used to tell the story. We also have the play of light and shadow, for example, scenes showing ancient Egypt, which fascinated me. The movie also had carefully selected camera angles and framing that helped guide viewers throughout the unfolding mystery with careful grace. I also found the mise en scène of The Mummy to be meticulously curated to represent scenes in ancient Egypt. Freund also used costumes, props, and the set, actively contributing to the storytelling. The film did an excellent job with the entire casting and setting. Still, I wondered if this arrangement authentically represented Ancient Egypt and whether it was just another of Hollywood's stylized
THE MUMMY FILM ANALYSIS 3
interpretations. However, I thought the film’s editing helped build suspense and horror in me. One part that I think was successful was the editing and production that enabled the pacing between tension and release, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. I believe that the film’s use of innovative editing is what created the authentic cinematic experience. I think this demonstrates how filmmakers of the time used the tools they had to achieve a thrilling film experience.
Freund is able to present different timeless themes that are relevant even today. For example, he explores the question of immortality, forbidden knowledge, and what happens when we meddle with ancient powers. However, I think that when we view these themes from the context of the 1930s, they will have a different meaning. For instance, immortality, when viewed
from the great depression, can represent the need for stability and permanence amid uncertainty. I was impressed by Boris Karloff’s act, which helped produce themes. Indeed, Karloff's representation of Imhotep/The Mummy demonstrated his ability to add freshness to a horror film. I think these routines helped
reveal some hidden sensitivities that casual observation would have missed. I think the movie did an excellent job of showing ancient Egyptian mythology and rituals with historical accuracy. I was ed by its representation of Egyptian culture, paying attention to ancient myths beyond the silver screen. I feel like these representations show the influence of this film on popular ideas of ancient civilizations. One thing that I think made this movie a success is its ability to capture the anxieties and aspirations of the 1930s. From its lighting to the performances, each section represents the reality of a gone era. I feel that Freund successfully connects films and society, demonstrating his skills. Overall, this movie was fascinating and thought-provoking because of the acting, directing, and cinematography.
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THE MUMMY FILM ANALYSIS 4
Film (Date)
_______________________________________ Collaborators
Screenwriter:
Director:
Cinematographer:
Actors (Characters):
Plot Structure
Protagonist
: Antagonist
: Act I: The Setup
Who: (Main characters and their relationships)
What: (Dramatic Premise)
Where/When: (Dramatic Situation/Circumstances)
Why: (Theme) How: (Mood and tone)
PPI (The Inciting Incident):
Act II: Confrontation
(Include the significant events):
PPII (The Climax):
Act III: Resolution
Genre
Type:
THE MUMMY FILM ANALYSIS 5
Stage in Evolution: Character types: Plot formula: Convention/Iconography: Theme:
Cinematography
Light (color, director, intensity):
Perspective (distance, angle, movement)
Focus: (soft, deep, shallow, rack)
Sound
Music (score composer, type of music):
Notable Sound Effects:
Visual Special Effects
(notable):
Editing
(anything notable):
Academy Awards and Nominations:
Film (Date): "The Mummy" (1932)
Collaborators:
Screenwriter: John L. Balderston, Nina Wilcox Putnam, Richard Schayer
Director: Karl Freund
Cinematographer: Charles Stumar
Actors (Characters):
Boris Karloff as Imhotep/The Mummy
THE MUMMY FILM ANALYSIS 6
Zita Johann as Helen Grosvenor/Princess Anck-es-en-Amon
David Manners as Frank Whemple
Arthur Byron as Sir Joseph Whemple
Plot Structure:
Protagonist
: Imhotep/The Mummy
Antagonist:
Society's fear and the supernatural consequences of resurrecting ancient powers.
Act I:
The Setup
Who: Imhotep, Sir Joseph Whemple, Frank Whemple, and Helen Grosvenor. Relationships include Imhotep's ancient love for Princess Anck-es-en-Amon.
What: Imhotep's resurrection and the quest for reunification with his lost love, Princess Anck-es-en-Amon.
Where/When: Egypt, 1921, and London, 1932.
Why: The theme explores the consequences of meddling with ancient powers, pursuing immortality, and societal fear of the unknown.
How: The mood is eerie and mysterious, with tones of horror and suspense.
PPI (The Inciting Incident):
Imhotep's resurrection when an ancient scroll is read aloud.
Act II:
Confrontation (Major Events):
o
Imhotep's pursuit of Helen Grosvenor, believed to be the reincarnation of Princess
Anck-es-en-Amon.
o
The revelation of Imhotep's true identity and his supernatural abilities.
o
The escalating tension as society becomes aware of the ancient curse.
PPII (The Climax):
o
Imhotep's confrontation with those seeking to stop his quest leads to the climax at the British Museum.
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THE MUMMY FILM ANALYSIS 7
Act III: Resolution:
o
The resolution involves the defeat of Imhotep, restoring the natural order disrupted by his resurrection.
o
The consequences of meddling with ancient powers are realized, and a sense of closure is achieved.
Genre:
Type: Horror, Supernatural, Adventure
Stage in Evolution: Classic Universal Horror
Character Types: Archetypal figures - the ancient resurrected villain, the damsel in distress, and the heroic figures combating supernatural forces.
Plot Formula: Unearthed ancient evil disrupts contemporary society, requiring a hero to confront and defeat the threat.
Convention/Iconography: Ancient Egyptian iconography, supernatural curses, and Gothic
horror elements.
Theme: The consequences of tampering with ancient powers, the quest for immortality, and the fear of the unknown.
Cinematography:
Light: Chiaroscuro lighting, utilizing shadows and contrasts to create an atmospheric and foreboding ambiance.
Perspective: Varied distances and angles to emphasize mystery and suspense, with notable movements during supernatural sequences.
Focus: Deep focus to capture intricate details and shallow focus during heightened tension.
Sound:
Music: Composed by James Dietrich. Features ominous and suspenseful orchestral scores.
Notable Sound Effects: Eerie whispers, supernatural manifestations, and the atmospheric sounds of ancient Egypt.
THE MUMMY FILM ANALYSIS 8
Visual Special Effects (Notable):
Makeup and practical effects to transform Boris Karloff into the mummified Imhotep.
Optical effects for supernatural occurrences emphasize the film's fantastical elements.
Editing (Notable):
o
Pacing and rhythm designed to build suspense, especially during critical supernatural and horror sequences.
Academy Awards and Nominations: N
/A (The film predates the introduction of the Best Visual Effects category in 1938).
THE MUMMY FILM ANALYSIS 9
Reference
Freeman, R. (2009). The Mummy in context.
European journal of American studies
,
4
(4-1). https://journals.openedition.org/ejas/7566
Freund, K. (Director). (1932). The Mummy [Film]. Universal Pictures.
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