Thematic Analysis of Nicholas Roeg’s 'Don’t Look Now'
Thematic analysis of Nicholas Roeg’s Don’t Look Now, using research sources as well as your own close analysis of this and other films to support your argument.
Kathryn Cameron
January 2012
3,088
Contents
Introduction (Page 3)
The Colour Red (Page 4)
Water and Reflection (Page 7)
Falling and Smashing Glass (Page 10)
Deformity (Page 12)
Conclusion (Page 13)
References (Page 14)
Introduction
Don’t Look Now (1973) is a film about a couple, John and Laura Baxter, who are living in Venice following their daughter, Christine’s, death by drowning. Their remaining child, Johnny, is at boarding school in England. Laura meets two elderly sisters, one a blind psychic who describes “seeing” Christine with John and Laura. John is sceptical when Laura tells him about the meeting but the following events lead to a tragic climax which include John recalling the key incidents in a kind of flashback.
In this analysis I will be discussing themes which occur throughout the film, including their meaning and significance. I will also be looking at comparative themes in other films.
To complement my understanding of the themes in this film I read the original short story by Daphne du Maurier (1971). This helped me to appreciate the adaptations which were made, resulting in effective imagery throughout the film. The adaptation produces a powerful and thought provoking result.
An article written by Miranda Bowen (2005) discusses the various themes used in the film and contains the following description for the film’s title:
And perhaps because it is a film that relies so heavily on a taut image system, in a film that is about seeing and believing (in this case seeing most definitely is not believing), that the text is so powerful. Film, after all is sight and sound. ‘Looking’ (Don’t Look Now!) and ‘seeing’ are the lynchpins of the film. Water (a reflective surface, a looking glass) is
Kathryn Cameron
January 2012
3,088
Contents
Introduction (Page 3)
The Colour Red (Page 4)
Water and Reflection (Page 7)
Falling and Smashing Glass (Page 10)
Deformity (Page 12)
Conclusion (Page 13)
References (Page 14)
Introduction
Don’t Look Now (1973) is a film about a couple, John and Laura Baxter, who are living in Venice following their daughter, Christine’s, death by drowning. Their remaining child, Johnny, is at boarding school in England. Laura meets two elderly sisters, one a blind psychic who describes “seeing” Christine with John and Laura. John is sceptical when Laura tells him about the meeting but the following events lead to a tragic climax which include John recalling the key incidents in a kind of flashback.
In this analysis I will be discussing themes which occur throughout the film, including their meaning and significance. I will also be looking at comparative themes in other films.
To complement my understanding of the themes in this film I read the original short story by Daphne du Maurier (1971). This helped me to appreciate the adaptations which were made, resulting in effective imagery throughout the film. The adaptation produces a powerful and thought provoking result.
An article written by Miranda Bowen (2005) discusses the various themes used in the film and contains the following description for the film’s title:
And perhaps because it is a film that relies so heavily on a taut image system, in a film that is about seeing and believing (in this case seeing most definitely is not believing), that the text is so powerful. Film, after all is sight and sound. ‘Looking’ (Don’t Look Now!) and ‘seeing’ are the lynchpins of the film. Water (a reflective surface, a looking glass) is
References: