2. What similarities do you notice in Burton’s films? Write a
personal response to at least two films commenting on the
similarities that you notice.
One similarity that I noticed whilst watching Dark Shadows and Beetlejuice is that they both mix together the themes of
gothic and archaic architecture with modern aspects, as they both are set in the modern day but the main characters are
from the past. This gives the viewer the pleasures of being able to relate to the films due to their modern aspects, but
also gives them the amusing concept of the older, gothic characters trying to fit into the modern day setting.
As well as this, the two films are also similar in that both of their main characters are eccentric and not fully human. The
main character in Dark Shadows, Barnabus Collins, is a vampire, and the main character in Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, is a
‘bio-exorcist’. They are both very interesting characters which have not been seen very much before, or have been seen
but have been adapted by Burton to be different.
Also, both of these two films use special effects to add an element of supernatural to the films, particularly adapting
human body parts to perform strange functions. This gives the audience the pleasure of energy, and makes them laugh,
because they can relate to being human but the thought of these mutations is amusing because they are not human.
Also, parts of Dark Shadows are also similar to Edward Scissorhands, as they both contain the same main actor; Johnny
Depp. The use of a well recognised and accomplished actor as the face of a film can help to raise sales, as many people
will recognise them and go to see the film just because they are in it. This also is the same for Burton’s films Alice in
Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Sweeney Todd, as they all feature Depp as playing the main
protagonist of the film.
The majority of the films that Depp directs are based around some aspect of the horror genre, or genres similar to it such
as supernatural or gothic horror. This is often shown by the gothic conventions that are shown as a major part in each of
the films, conventions such as death, darkness, curses, witchcraft etc. However, these elements are also often mixed with
elements of comedy, such as sarcastic characters (for example Lydia in Beetlejuice and Carolyn in Dark Shadows) who
turn situations that are often typical of the gothic genre into scenes which will make the audience laugh.
Overall, the majority of Burton’s films share the same sense of gothic theme, but are often twinned with elements of other
genres, such as comedy and supernatural. This brings the films up to date and makes them appeal to a wider audience,
as they will attract viewers of all of the sub-genres instead of just one genre.
