Blog Post 5: Movie Analysis: A Clockwork Orange

Introduction:

 Throughout my viewing of Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, I've taken notice on how Kubrick utilized  precisely oriented camera shots and angles in order to develop the dystopian feel of A Clockwork Orange. Some examples taken from the film goes as follow.

Shot 1: Wide Shot

      In this still, taken just mere minutes after the audience is introduced to the protagonist Alex, and his "droogs", Kubrick utilizes a wide shot to encapture Alex, his droogs, and the tramp. This is done as to portray an absence of witnesses, which evokes a sense of unease within the audience, unsure of what the droogs intend to do to the tramp. The position of the tramp also adds to the feeling of unease, having the the tramp on the ground while the droogs tower over him hints at the malicious power dynamic between the two, relating to a predator and prey esc. feeling. Lastly the silhouette and shadows casted by all 4 droogs adds to the uneasiness, ridding their facial features, rendering their emotions unknown to the audience.

Shot 2: Close ups

      In A Clockwork Orange, Stanley Kubrick's use of close ups, especially in scenes involving Alex is deliberate and impactful. In the movie's introduction, Alex is portrayed with an intense, almost menacing expression. The extreme close up centers on Alex's face, forcing the viewer to confront his direct gaze. His facial features, such as the wide eyes, and subtle smirk, and unbroken gaze convey a mixture of menace and uncertainty, reflecting his unpredictable and sociopathic personality.

Shot 3: Extreme Long Shot

   In A Clockwork Orange, Stanley Kubrick's in some occasions utilizes long shots, as demonstrated in the still. The sheer distance from the doctors to Alex evokes a sense of disconnect, and intensifies the feeling of isolation Alex feels within this scene. In addition, the elevation distance between the doctors and Alex symbolize a difference of power, with the doctors having dominance and control over Alex. The emptiness of the room demonstrated by the long shot also adds to Alex's feeling of isolation and fear.

Shot 4: Establishing Shot

     Establishing shots are utilized wildly in A Clockwork Orange as to build upon the dystopian world. This is exceptionally evident during Alex's admittance to the Ludovico Medical Clinic. The Establishing shot gives a view to the stark, cold, and uninviting, appearance of the medical center. The brutalist design of the building brilliantly symbolizes Alex's transfer to the system, stripping his freedom, soon to become a cog in society.

Shot 5: Choker Shot

 

     Within the final scene of A Clockwork Orange, Kubrick utilizes one final choker shot of Alex's face. The choker shot used here is crucial as his face envelops the screen, allowing the viewers see his expression slowly alter, changing from his rehabilitated smile back to the roots of his ultraviolent thoughts. The choker shot's use was a fantastic idea, as it is more detailed than a close up, but less zoomed in than a extreme close up, allowing the audience to focus on just Alex's Expression.

Final Thoughts:

 Overall, Kubrick's use of various camera shots and angles have allowed for immersion as well as a deeper evoking of the film's dark, and complex themes.