Analysis of the film The Crow

1. The Crow
By Mirella Lloussi

2. Background
“ The Crow is a 1994 American fantasy action film directed by Alex Proyas,
written by David J. Schow and John Shirley, and starring Brandon Lee in his
final film appearance. Based on James O'Barr's 1989 comic book of the
same name, it tells the story of Eric Draven (Lee), a rock musician who is
revived from the dead to avenge his murder and death of his fiancée.
The lead actor, Brandon Lee, was accidentally killed on the set during filming
by a defective blank. Unfinished scenes that were to feature him were dealt
with by rewrites and digital special effects. The film is dedicated to Lee and
his fiancée, Eliza.
Despite the several production setbacks due to Lee's death, The Crow was
well-received critically for its unique visual style, premise, emotional depth
and its tribute to the deceased actor. The film opened at the top of the box
office and attained a strong cult following.”
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crow_(1994_film)

3. The Cure Influence &
Sound AnalysisThe non-diegetic sound is a band called The Cure playing their song “Burn”. The
Cure are an English gothic rock band from around the time this film was
made(1996). The Cure actually made the song for the movie. The lyrics match the
scene well as the chorus says “Every night I fall, Every night I call your name”. That
first line relates to the main character’s death because he is pushed and falls out a
window and the second line refers to his love who was killed that same night. The
repetition of this chorus reflects the constant cycle of these hurtful memories
playing over and over in his mind driving him insane. The music is dreamlike and the
lyrics along with this dreamlike state work well with this scene as a flickering
montage plays showing his beloved memories with her while the song narrates it in
a way.
The end of the song then says “The end is all that’s ever true, there’s nothing you
can ever say, there’s nothing you can ever do. Dream the crow black dream.” This
relates to the scene well as at this point the main character is standing on the edge
of the window where he died before. This is a kind of contrast as the lyrics are
contrapuntal and saying give up but his stance and the fact that he is standing in a
storm literally on his deathbed not flinching at the rain or lightning with his paint on
is showing he is going to take action, something new and exciting is beginning…he is
embracing “the crow black dream.”

4. Mise-en-scène, Cinematography &
Editing AnalysisEditing: In the opening scene a flickering montage plays whilst the main character smashes a mirror and
sprawls across a dressing table. Normally a montage plays smoothly, like in romantic films, however in
this film is flickers suggesting his mind is unstable and these memories are painful.
Mise-en-scène: There is a mask hanging on the mirror, it is the well-known Greek mask that represents
tragedy, perhaps reflecting his own emotions. The whole room in that scene radiates a feeling of loss and
hopelessness since it is messy, distressed and looks like someone had a mental breakdown in it and it has
been abandoned since. The scattered objects and the smashed mirror suggest this to us. He is dressed all
in black reflecting how he feels inside, the anger and grief all built up. The weather is dark and stormy,
this is pathetic fallacy as it reflects his mood and the mood of the whole scene.
Cinematography & Editing: They make the mask stand out as it’s in the frame continuously and there is a
short cut zoom so all we focus on is the mask which gives it significance and symbolism. This mask is
hanging there at an angle in which we are seeing it at a point of view shot (POV). This highlights a direct
connection between him and the mask as he is staring at it, gaining some kind of idea on what to do
about his pain. The lighting is low and dark again reflecting his mood but also could suggest that he isn’t
seeing or thinking clearly and he is vulnerable as when you’re in the dark it’s difficult to see and it creates
a sense of fear.