Short Film Analysis no.4 - The Gunfighter

The Gunfighter

(Eric Kissack, 2014) 

The film starts off with a medium shot of the Gunfighter walking into the the saloon. The mise-en-scene of costume with the dark colour scheme, as well as the lowered hat to hide the man features creates connotations of enigma and mystery as to who the character is within the film. The dramatic entrance of the Gunfighter, especially paired with the non-diegetic music in the background, presents the film as seemingly dramatic at the beginning and as though it fits into the western genre of film in which the setting is based on. This aesthetic of dark colours of the saloon and the overall western theme of the mise-en-scene lures the audience into an environment they perhaps recognise or feel familiar with, only to then be surprised when the omniscient narrator interrupts. 

The medium shot of the gunfighter in the saloon reacting to the non-diegetic sound of the narrator's dialogue creates an environment in which the audience also don't know who is talking, along with the Gunfighter himself. This therefore creates an enigma again in the film as the audience is in the same position as the character as they too don't know where the sound is coming from. The low-key lighting and dark aesthetic of the background only heightens this mystery even more as the environment seems very concealed and secretive. 

The film then cuts to multiple close-ups and medium close-ups of the characters around the saloon reacting to the narrator's voice. These close-ups makes the environment seem more personal and intimate with each of the characters, exploring more of the environment around the Gunfighter and adding more intrigue to the significance of the Voice, as through the characters' performance, we can tell as an audience that this isn't a regular thing to happen in the saloon. Their performance also gives power to that of the Voice as it makes the characters seem more vulnerable and shows who could possibly be impacted by the omniscience of the narrator.  The dark aesthetic of the background still adds to the mysteriousness of the Voice's origin, and amplifies the feeling that the characters are possibly feeling to it.

The Dolly shot and then zoom editing used to introduce the Henderson brothers connotes the surprise and shock of the Gunfighter after finding out they're there to kill him. The medium shot also used helps to connote the idea of the brothers being exposed by the Voice, as well as showing the audience the power the Voice has to drive forward the narrative, especially as there was no inclination to the Henderson brother's existence until then. The zoom in shot of the brothers also reflects an image of entrapment for the men as their secrets have been exposed and they are no longer free to act as they wish with surprise. 

The scene then cuts to a long shot of the Gunfighter standing in the middle of the saloon with high-key lighting reflected down on him. This not only connotes to the audience that the Gunfighter can be seen as being pure as he now knows the secrets of the Henderson boys and that he is no longer being hidden away from the truth, thanks to the Voice, but it also shows how perhaps the Voice could be seen as being the light within the film as he is exposing people in the saloon, starting with the Gunfighter as he first entered. The High-key lighting could also connote how the Gunfighter is now safe from the danger of the Henderson boys and that it could be argued he now has power within the scene due to the exposing of the truth. The long shot also presents some of the other characters within the saloon which could reflect how exposed the Henderson boys are as other characters are also reacting to the news of the brothers.

The camera then cuts to a close-up of Tommy in which he's reacting to the Voice's truths about his plans to kill the Gunfighter. This close-up creates a more personal and intimate connection to the characters and the audience which could connote how personal the information being shared by the voice is to each person within the saloon. This personal presentation of Tommy, along with the Voice's undermining statements of Tommy's behaviour makes the character seem more vulnerable to the audience as the Voice has more power within this scene. As well as this, knowing that the Voice is right about the characters lures the audience into reacting more to the narrative of what the Voice is saying, especially since the Voice is adding more entertainment to the situation, meaning we connect more to what's being said. 

The film the continues to show a close-up shot of the youngest Henderson brother, Johnny, and his gun. This shot not only connotes to the audience the importance of the gun to the narrative at this moment, but paired with the non-diegetic sound of the Voice, it makes the audience believe the narrator to be reliable as he's correct as to what he's exposing. As well as this, the power of the Voice within the film is quite significant as the narrator is not only driving the narrative, but he's also making the implicit meanings behind the cinematography and mise-en-scene of the film, slightly more explicit for not only the characters, but the audience as well. This presents the Voice as having power over both the characters within the film, but also the audience watching as well. The close-up shots also used to present Johnny also links back to the personal presentation in which the character is seen, and how the intimate details of his life are reflective in the way he's intimately presented to the audience, heightening the humiliation and entertainment for the spectators watching.

The film then continues to the characters questioning the reliability of the Voice talking and whether or not it truly has the power its presented to have. In testing this theory, it's up to Sally to think of her favourite number. The medium close-up shot of sally and the editing used to zoom in on her character whilst she thinks creates tension as to whether or not the Voice is in fact a reliable source of information, as we the audience, and the characters themselves, are waiting for the verdict from Sally. The zoom in shot is also reflective of following the characters train of thought, especially since the performance of the character shows her to be thinking intently, as well as the non-diegetic dialogue of the Voice shows to be talking step by step about each of her thoughts. 

The film then builds in tension as more truths are being brought to light and how different characters are reacting by pulling their guns out on who they believe their enemy is. The high-key lighting on the Gunfighter's hand and on him in general connotes to the audience the innocence of what he's doing and how in this moment, he's the one being truthful about not touching his gun, unlike that of the dialogue of the narrator. This therefore shows how the Voice can be seen as being unreliable within the film, however this only amplifies the power of the Voice as he can control how we see different characters and their actions, and we assume he's telling the truth every time. 

The medium close-ups of each of the characters and the secrets being exposed is, again, reflective of the personal and intimate details of the characters lives being shared with one another and how that makes them seem vulnerable to audiences. Their mise-en-scene of costume also being very similar shows not only the era in which the film is set, but it also groups them together in much the same basis of living with many of the characters being involved in infidelity and immoral activities. The lighter aesthetics surrounding the characters clothing and setting also shows how their secrets are being exposed and how the enigma and mystery of the setting is becoming less and less as the Voice continues talking about their lives. The cuts between the characters and how they react to one another's secrets, as well as the close-up shots builds the tension between each of the characters to see which one is going to react first, or to see if the secrets being told will become worse as each character is being exposed. 

In reaction to everyone's secrets being exposed and the stand off between the multiple characters, the Gunfighter reacts by telling a very motivational and hopeful speech in which to unite the characters. The high-key lighting on the Gunfighter connotes this chance of possible hope for peace as well as showing the lightheartedness of the monologue. The non-diegetic uplifting music also adds to inspirational energy presented in the shot, as well as the long shot of the saloon showing the tensions between the characters and how important of an impact the speech would be on their actions. However, the non-diegetic music also gives power back to the Voice despite him no longer talking in this bit of the scene. To the audience, the music could be seen as coming from the power of the Voice, much like the ominous music played before to help set the scene by the characters. This then creates doubt as to whether or not the Voice is trying to drive the characters and narrative into doing what he wants for his own entertainment and amusement, especially since the audience now know him to be an unreliable narrator.

However, as the narrative continues, yet again the Voice undermines that of the characters power within the film. This is seen through the medium close-up shot of the Gunfighter and how his performance and mise-en-scene of facial expression connotes that the statement in which he killed one of the sons of another character is in fact a truthful statement made by the Voice. This gives power to the narrator as he is driving the narrative forward again by exposing a detail which seemed unnecessary to expose, especially as peace was imminent between the characters.

After the shoot-out in the saloon, the camera then shows a high angle shot of the aftermath. This connotes to the audience the inferiority of the characters within the film, especially since they played right into the hands of the Voice by doing exactly what he said would happen. This angle also gives power to the Voice as well as it implies that the Voice perhaps has a perspective on the characters as somewhere higher up, looking down. This as well gives an insight for the audience the type of power the Voice has, and for a moment gives that power to the audience as well, as they too are looking down at the characters. The high-key lighting coming through the windows onto the dead characters also reflects the idea that all their truths were exposed and that there are no longer any enigmas within the saloon and the people inside.

 
The camera then cuts to a tracking shot of the dead bodies closer up which emphasises the carnage of the situation and what has happened. The dialogue used by the narrator as well shows the audience how the Voice knew all along what was going to happen, and that it prompts the question into the audience's mind as to whether or not the narrator is in fact omniscient, or if he just had the power to manipulate the characters into playing along with the narrative he wanted to see happen.

The film then ends with a medium long shot of Sally showing her to be the only survivor. This shot used creates a sense of power compared to all the other characters as she managed to survive unscathed. Her mise-en-scene of costume being fairly light coloured, especially the white skirt, connotes an implication of hope for her life and that it seems to be fairly bright considering the time in which she lives in, heightened even further by the high-key lighting in the background of the shot. However, the power eventually goes back to the Voice in which he informs Sally is going to die tomorrow from a wolf attack.  Although the audience doesn't know whether to believe the Voice completely as its been implied previously that he is unreliable, the medium close-up of sally in reaction to this news connotes that she believes it to be truthful, especially as the shot creates a personal tone in which Sally's fate seems important.