MovieChat Forums > Ministry of Fear (1945) Discussion > Through the door - SPOILER

Through the door - SPOILER

posted 12 years ago by JackBluegrass
5 replies | jump to latest

Carla fires her handgun through the door, after her brother Willi had turned the room light off and opened the room door to escape. He pulled the door closed behind him.

The screen is totally dark except for light shining through that bullet hole. The light is then interrupted only momentarily as Willi's falling body blocks the hallway lighting.

The director gives us full information about what has just happened. Except, it's told only with light through a bullet hole.

[–] lewisherschell 12 years ago

Yes, very clever filmmaking. Also sidesteps the onscreen depiction of the moment of violence quite nicely - as with the earlier death of a fairly major secondary character in the film.

'What does it matter what you say about people?'
Touch of Evil (Orson Welles, 1958).

[–] dmayo-911-597432 11 years ago

I think the light is blocked, from our point of view, when Neale moves to open the door. He does in fact move from the right side of the door to the left, where the knob is. The timing fits, too.

[–] JackBluegrass 11 years ago

The talented director and an experienced cinematographer (Henry Sharp) must have worked together to get that "Shot". Sharp's long experience with silent films had to teach him everything about lighting a scene.

The room goes from full light, to sudden darkness as Neale shuts off the light. He opens the door - with only hall light now illuminating the scene - and exits pulling the door closed behind him. Her shot rings out, puncturing the door. A slight pause lets the viewers' eyes accommodate to the now total dark. The viewer then sees only that bullet hole, and a pause before the shadow of Neale's falling body momentarily breaks that stream of hall light. The camera's position never moves.

To work, that needed excellent lighting control, high black/and white contrast photography, and as you say perfect timing.

It amazes me what filmmakers could achieve so long ago.

[–] dmayo-911-597432 11 years ago

Thanks. I agree that the shot is beautifully conceived and executed. Please note, though, that Neale is Ray Milland's character, the hero. The man shot through the door is Willi Hilfe, Carla's brother. What I'm suggesting is that the break in the light through the bullet hole is caused not by the falling body outside the room, but by Neale's body moving inside the room to open the door. Either way, though, it's a very impressive moment.

[–] JackBluegrass 11 years ago

It has been a while since I saw the movie. I'll watch it again to learn what went on in the room. Thanks!