By Sophie Hyland-Ward
Fantasy films are films with fantastic themes, usually involving magic, supernatural
events or exotic fantasy worlds. The genre is considered to be distinct from science
fiction films and horror films although the genres do overlap.
In fantasy films, the hero often undergoes some kind of mystical experience and must
ask assistance from powerful, superhuman forces. Ancient Greek mythological figures
or Arabian Nights type narratives are the typical storylines within fantasy films.
Flying carpets, magic swords and spells, dragons and ancient religious relics or objects
are common elements. Bizarre and imagery, invented lands include sci-fi worlds, fairy
tale settings or other whimsical locales are common settings.
Usually the main characters in fantasies are prince and princesses. Some fantasy type
films may also include quasi-religions or supernatural characters such as angels/faries
(or they include gnomes, dwarfs and elves) often overlap with supernatural films.
Fantasy films are most likely to overlap with the film genres of science fiction or
horror. When the narrative of a fantasy film tends to emphasise advanced technology
in a fantastic world, it may be considered predominantly a science fiction film. As it is
intended to frighten the audience, a fantasy film falls more within the horror genre.
Locations/Settings in fantasy films
Usually, fantasy films are set in a fairy-tale world full of magic. An element of
horror is added to the setting/location of a fantasy film as there will be an old
castle (Harry Potter), an old house or a forest that is involved in the story. To
add a sense of magic into the film, the settings are usually made up like an
imaginary world, therefore making the settings unrealistic and completely
fictional.
The imaginary worlds are usually hidden to create a sense of secrecy, maybe to
enhance the fact that they are imaginary worlds and therefore are hidden so
nobody else can find them.
If the scene is set at sea, the characters will all be on the boat which is the only
way to access their destination.
Characters in fantasy films
Typically, fantasy films have mythical characters. From fairies to beasts to
animals and other creatures, these are the characters that make the genre
‘Fantasy’ come alive.
There are many different type of Fantasy Characters such as:
Witches, Wizards, Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses, talking animals, Mythical
Creatures, Monsters and so on. Traditionally one of these characters takes on the
role of the villain and the other the hero, the villain being greedy and selfish and
the hero wanting to save everyone from them.
The main character is usually female, being portrayed as venerable. She would
wear a long dress and most probably have long hair, pretty face. She may have
children with her throughout the film to enhance the sense of vulnerability.
On occasion, the main character may be male.
In fantasy films the male characters are usually dressed smartly and the females
dressed girly (matching the stereotype). There is a lesson learnt by the characters
by the end of the film, the viewer may go onto reflect it into their everyday life.
Characters are often transported into a magical or normal world where they have
to complete a challenge in order to get back to where they belong, although in
some cases (Narnia) they may stumble across it by accident. As they haven’t been
there before, the characters are amazed by the new world and then go on to seek
challenges. Family issues are often explored within fantasy films as if to connect
with the children to enhance their belief that it is real.
Other fantasy film conventions
The characters usually have magic objects in their possession or they find them on
their quest. Some have magical powers and others have magic wands/swords.
During the actual film there may be a voice over, this expresses the fact that the
story isn’t real and just like in the story books it may start with “one day..” “Or once
upon a time”
The audio in fantasy films is usually magical music, this music echoes throughout
the film. The singer of the track is usually female however in the film ‘Stardust’,
Take That’s single ‘Rule the World’ was featured.
Lighting in fantasy films
Often the lighting in fantasy films is more like a glow, mysterious and exciting. There
is use of shadows from which the villain may step out of, this makes the viewer
unable to predict what is going to happen.
Sometimes the lighting is on one part of the screen as said previously. When going
through a forest/woods the character may have a candle lighting the way, therefore
they are the only thing visible in the shot.
The lighting in the magical world tends to be different to the lighting in the normal
world so the viewer can tell the difference as during the film these two worlds are
shown regularly. It also adds more mystery/magic to the new world and makes it
more exciting to watch.
On various occasions, good characters have glows surrounding them and are usually
shown in the lighter part of the screen where as the villain is always in the dark and
may use the shadows to hide.