Corpse Bride (2005) Directed by Tim Burton Victor Van Dort The protagonist. Victor is a shy and clumsy young man, accidentally proposes to the undead Emily and becomes "married" to her. He comes from a nouveau riche family of fish merchants, set to wed Victoria, the daughter of impoverished aristocrats, in an arranged marriage. After Victor messes up the wedding rehearsal, he practices his vows in the woods, unknowingly placing the ring on Emily's finger, awakening her from the grave. Victor is transported to the Land of the Dead but tricks Emily into returning to the Land of the Living. However, misunderstandings arise, leading to a complex love triangle. Ultimately, Victor and Victoria reunite, Emily finds peace, and justice prevails. Emily (the Corpse Bride) • Emily is a charismatic but tragic character in the 2005 film of the same name. Voiced by Helena Bonham Carter, Emily was murdered by her original fiancé, and her remains merged with the forest. Victor Van Dort, a young man rehearsing his wedding vows, accidentally places a ring on her finger, marrying her unintentionally and awakening her as a reanimated corpse. Victor finds himself in the Land of the Dead and eventually returns to the Land of the Living. Emily is determined to have her happy ending with Victor, however misunderstandings and jealousy ensue when Victor reconnects with his intended bride, Victoria. After Emily realises that she is ‘trapping’ Victor in the same way she had been trapped by her untimely death, she releases Victor, allowing him to marry Victoria, and gains her own freedom, dispersing into the environment as a cloud of butterflies. Nell Van Dort • Nell is an organised and stuck-up woman. She is married to William, a successful fish merchant, but she desires to be ‘more’. She and her husband have arranged a marriage between their son Victor and Victoria Everglot in order to gain more of a step in high society, without knowledge that the Everglots have run their fortune into the ground. She believes that she is being supportive to her son, Victor, although her comments (such as “reeling Victoria in”) only make the situation worse for Victor. William Van Dort • Victor’s father, and the husband of Nell. William is less obsessed with getting status as his wife is and his general nature is much more amiable and softspoken. He acts as the gentle counterpart to his wife, but generally doesn't contribute much to Victor in the marriage. Mr and Mrs Everglot In the film "Corpse Bride," Mr. and Mrs. Everglot are the parents of Victoria, the female lead. They are portrayed as aristocratic, snobbish, and preoccupied with maintaining their social status. Mr. Everglot is tall and thin, while Mrs. Everglot is shorter and rounder. They arrange a marriage between their daughter, Victoria, and the wealthy Victor Van Dort to restore their dwindling fortune. The Everglots are primarily concerned with appearances and their own financial stability, often oblivious to Victoria's feelings. Throughout the story, they are depicted as disapproving and unsupportive parents, and are quick to arrange a new marriage to Barkis Bittern when they find out that Victor is no longer available. The Gothic Genre ‘Gothic’ is a genre of film and literature that is characterised by its exploration of darker themes, eerie settings, such as haunted mansions and castles, the supernatural, religion, and the past. Here’s how it is represented in Corpse Bride. 1.Setting: The film is primarily set in a gloomy, Victorian-era village with eerie, dilapidated buildings, fog-covered streets, and a cemetery. This setting creates a dark and foreboding atmosphere that is characteristic of Gothic fiction. Events happen at night under the moonlight. 2.Characters: The characters in "Corpse Bride" embody Gothic archetypes. Victor is the classic Gothic hero, a timid and sensitive young man who finds himself entangled in a supernatural world. Emily, the Corpse Bride, represents the undead and tragic figures often found in Gothic tales. Lord Barkis embodies the role of the villain, with his sinister intentions and dark secrets. 3.Themes: The film explores Gothic themes such as death, the afterlife, the supernatural, and the macabre. It delves into the idea of love transcending death, a common motif in Gothic literature. 4.Visual Aesthetic: The film's animation style and design draw heavily from Gothic art and architecture, featuring ornate details, intricate costumes, and eerie, otherworldly landscapes. 5.Music: The film's score, composed by Danny Elfman, adds to the Gothic ambiance with its haunting melodies and orchestration. 6. Symbols: Crows are often associated with death and the macabre, contributing to the film's dark and Gothic atmosphere. They appear at pivotal moments, adding an eerie and foreboding element to the story. Themes in Corpse Bride Arranged marriage versus marrying for love: The film delves into different facets of love, from arranged marriages and societal expectations to genuine romantic love. It contrasts the arranged engagement between Victoria and Victor with the unconventional love that blossoms between Victor and the Corpse Bride, Emily. Death and the Afterlife: Central to the plot is the theme of death and the afterlife. The Land of the Dead is depicted as an alternate reality, and the film raises questions about what happens after we die and the concept of eternal rest. Identity and Self-Discovery: Victor's journey involves self-discovery as he navigates between the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead. His character development centers on finding his true self and making choices that align with his values and desires. Power and class: The Everglot family's desire to restore their social status through Victoria's marriage to Victor is a commentary on the importance of class and wealth in society. Lord Barkis's true intentions highlight the dangers of valuing wealth over genuine connections. Individuality and Nonconformity: The film celebrates individuality and nonconformity, as characters like Emily and Victor challenge societal norms and expectations, ultimately choosing love over tradition. Sacrifice: The concept of sacrifice is present in the film, as characters make selfless choices for the well-being of others. Victor's willingness to sacrifice his life for Emily and Emily's decision to release him from their marriage vows are examples of this theme. Power and religion in Victorian times Colour as a motif Colour serves as a powerful visual tool to convey thematic depth and narrative contrast. The film employs a stark juxtaposition of color between the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead to underscore key themes. The Land of the Living is depicted in muted and desaturated colors, emphasizing the lifelessness and emotional coldness of this realm. The characters here are trapped in societal expectations and traditions, reflected in their colorless surroundings. In contrast, the Land of the Dead bursts with vibrant and saturated hues, symbolizing vitality, emotional depth, and freedom from the constraints of the living world. This colorful world represents the characters' newfound liberation in death, where they can fully express their personalities and desires. The use of color becomes particularly poignant in the transformation of Emily, the Corpse Bride. Her transition from a monochromatic, skeletal figure to a resplendent, butterfly-adorned bride illustrates her journey from death to liberation and love. Overall, the motif of color in "Corpse Bride" not only enhances the film's visual appeal but also serves as a storytelling device, highlighting the stark differences between life and death, conformity and freedom, and emotional repression and expression. Butterfly motif In the film "Corpse Bride," the butterfly symbolises transformation, freedom, and the connection between life and death. • At the start of the movie, Victor is seen drawing a butterfly from a living butterfly that is trapped in glass. He releases the buttefly, which flys around the city, revealing the stern, cold, Victorian setting. • At the end of the film Emily undergoes a dramatic transformation from a skeletal figure to a swarm of butterflies, representing her release from the constraints of death. • She uses butterflies to communicate with the living world, demonstrating her ability to bridge the gap between life and death. • Visually, the butterflies add beauty to the dark setting and reinforce themes of love transcending death and the mysteries of the afterlife. Music as a motif The film’s opening theme song is "According to Plan," sung by the Van Dorts in a lively and whimsical way, and the Everglots in a sinister and foreboding way. This sets the stage for the comedic and fantastical tone. It conveys the characters’ desires and ambitions, foreshadowing the conflicts and choices that will drive the story. The song also reflects the rigid and conformist social structures in the Victorian era. The film uses music as a vehicle for emotional expression, reflecting the inner states of its characters. Victor's nervous piano-playing conveys his uncertainty and anxiety, while Emily's haunting melodies mirror her complex emotions as the Corpse Bride caught between life and death. The piano keys represent the division between light and dark which are united through Victor and Emily. Music also serves as a bridge, connecting the living and the dead. Victor and Emily bond through a poignant piano duet, symbolizing their connection despite their differing realms. Furthermore, the contrasting musical styles of the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead emphasize the differences between these worlds, adding depth to the film's atmosphere. Ultimately, music in "Corpse Bride" reinforces the film's themes of love's ability to transcend death, the transformative power of emotions, and the profound connection between life and the afterlife. It enhances the emotional resonance of the story, making it an integral and evocative motif throughout the film. Barkis Bittern (the villain) Collusion – two shots What are the shot types? How are shadows and light used to create an effect? Crows - 38min In "Corpse Bride," crows are a gothic element used symbolically to represent death, the supernatural, and the transition between the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead. When Victor accidentally proposes to Emily by placing the engagement ring on what he thinks is a tree root but is actually Emily's skeletal finger, a murder of crows descends, signaling the supernatural event and the connection between the two realms. Emily, the Corpse Bride herself, has a close connection to crows. She can summon them and communicate with them, emphasizing her unique position as a character who straddles the worlds of the living and the dead. What type of shot is this? How is the theme of power and control shown in this scene? 11m How is anxiety shown in this scene? 27m Dutch angle shots + colour How does this scene show connection 50m? How does this scene show the rigid and conforming Victorian era? 6:45 Portraits as symbols How does this scene (1.10) show freedom? How is freedom shown in this scene? How does it compare with the beginning? “You set me free. Now I can do the same.” • How is nonconformity and a and rigid Victorian society shown in this scene? (7:40) What does the flower represent? How is love ‘blossoming’? Quotes 1. “Marriage is a partnership, a little tit for tat.” – Maudeline Everglot 2. What if Victor and I don’t like each other?” – Victoria Everglot 3. “As if that has anything to do with marriage. Do you suppose your father and I like each other?” – Maudeline Everglot 4. “Everything will go as planned—she will marry.” – Finis Everglot 5. “Hit it, boys. Hey! Give me a listen, you corpses of cheer,/Least those of you who still got an ear./I'll tell you a story make a skeleton cry/Of our own jubiliciously lovely corpse bride!“ Bonejangles 6. Wait. I made a promise. – Victor (honour) 7. I was a bride. My dreams were taken from me. But now - now I've stolen them from someone else. I love you, Victor, but you are not mine. Irony • The land of the living is dull and drab and strict and hierarchical. • The land of the dead is colourful and lively and not ruled by a class system, there is equality. • What is the message?
