How Editing and Mise en Scene showing meaning in the 5 minute segment of Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” (2008)
Editing and Mise en scene are very important film language. They help to create meaning and a deeper understanding of the characters and the films plot. The Dark Knight is a sequel to Batman Begins. The segment I have chosen is a small part of the complication after information that targets three people for assignation the Judge, the Commissioner and Harvey Dent.
Editing is very important to a film as it can create meaning and showing emotions it different ways without having to use dialogue to explain what is happening.
Mise en scene is very important in any narrative, but in a “Superhero” movie, it is vital as many of the characters are archetypical and specific costumes show their character very well. The segment opens with Gordon and a female police officer discussing the DNA results. Gordon is wearing the typical detective suit and tie. Which clearly does not fit him, is slightly creased and dirty showing that he has been working all hours. The lighting of the scene is dark and dreary this portrays the emotions in the scene, the hatred of the joker and the fear of what he might do next. As at this point of the movie, The Joker’s actions has made the public up-roar in fear.
Crosscutting is used to show the three narratives, the judge, the commissioner and Harvey Dent. This starts to build to the tension as we know that the joker is going to try and kill them. This intensity is reiterated through the pace of the editing it slowing increases the cuts become shorter. Giving the idea of impending doom. Two of the narratives are shown to be prepared for the joker and the lighting and body language shows fear because of the Joker. This is seen by the guards outside the commissioners building they are on edge holding their guns at the ready, prepared for the joker attack . But Harvey Dent is not fearful of the Joker but of the people at the party or so it is said by Rachel Dawes. The cuts in the party tangent are slower as it depicts an intimate moment between Rachel Dawes and Harvey Dent. The slowing pace of shots and a close up their faces during their conversation shows this. This is in contrast to the editing of the other narratives as their speed was increasing rapidly which implies the immediate doom.
A straight cut to the judge in the car shows the explosion, at this point the cuts hit their peak. A cutaway to a close up of the debris showing hundreds of Joker playing cards. A calling card of the Joker. This ensures that the audience knows that the joker is responsible. Then a crosscut to the commissioner dying, then a cutaway to his glass of whiskey smouldering again showing how he is dying. This gives the audience the predisposition to an attack on Harvey’s party. Crosscutting is again used to show the hurry Wayne is in to hind Harvey and get prepared for his encounter with the Joker. This is seen as he crawls out of his facade of Bruce Wayne and easily dispatches one of the Jokers Henchmen. Quick straight cuts back to the Joker presenting the threat.
When the Joker enters the room there is no cuts for over 1 minute. This is used to keep the audiences attention on The Joker. Showing that he is centre stage this is shot in deep focus so the viewer can see the crowds fear and hatred of him. But the camera tracks him giving the viewer the impression that the crowd is irrelevant to him and to the viewer and all attention show be focused on him. He only wants Harvey Dent. This lack of editing comes to an end when rachel Dawes intervenes, a straight cut shows her exiting from the cover of the crowd and standing her ground against him. Her Mise en Scene show her as a typical guest, a long expensive green gown that looks tailored as well. The colour green has been linked to envy. This could symbolise the envoys feelings Wayne feels for her. Explained earlier in the sequence.
Mise en Scene is very important for the Jokers character, as he is an iconic villain from the marvel comics. Meaning that for these movies his clothes can not change drastically. The Joker wears face paint similar to that of a clown, white face paint, black make-up around his eyes, red lips and over his scars and dirty dyed green hair. This all point to a costume warn by a clown. But will a very sinister twist. The red lipstick he wears covers his scars that extend from the sides of his mouth giving the effect that he is always smiling, during the course of the movie he explains how got his scars but the story always changes. So the reasoning is unknown. This adds to the idea that the joker is very mentally unstable. The make-up around his eyes ensures that whatever facial expression he gives, it still looks dark and sinister. This is seen with his smile which now can only be view as creepy and scary. All of this added together gives a character which to his core is evil. Now on to his clothes. He wears a purple suit that seems tailored for him, this also has links to clowns. His suit is juxtapositional to the others in the room. The colour purple has normally been linked to wealth and fortune, but in the case of the joker money is not an object. (This is seen later in the movie).
He is also seen wilding a blade in this sequence we see him use it to threaten many people in the crowd of scared party attendees. In particular a older gentleman dressed in a expensive suit and well groomed as many other in the room are. This is used to show out of place the Joker is in society at any level criminal or political he is not suited to out with people.
