Shelob Scene - LOTR

LOTR: Shelob Scene

The scene that we analysed, from the popular Lord of the Rings film directed by Peter Jackson, is the scene where Smeagol is leading Frodo into a mysterious cave as according to Smeagol it’s the only way to continue Frodo’s objective to destroy the ring. The audience is aware of Smeagols evil intentions throughout the film so the start of the scene is tense. Frodo is reluctant at first but knows he has to pass through to destroy the ring.

As they enter the dark cave the first shot is filmed in a hand-held Point Of View way, making the audience experience the first steps in the ominous cave in a first person view.  When entering the cave there is an unnatural blue gloom towards the end, this style of low-key lighting is used throughout the cave to keep the audience guessing what is in the darkness around the frame.  The next shot is of the small Hobbit and the smaller Gollum, the only source of light is from the entrance to the cave, so the shot is backlit, leaving only silhouettes of the two characters in the centre of the frame. There is a lot of black empty space around the frame; this is used frequently in this scene. The empty space around the frame shows us how enclosed and cramped the cave is, this also shows us how small the Hobbit is.

Frodo goes deeper into the cave, only to find that Smeagol has abandoned him, now lost in this unknown cave, Frodo seems to panic more and it is shown in the next shot. Once again it’s a Point of View tracking shot of Frodo, passing cautiously deeper into the cave. This time, now alone, his steps are slower and vigilant. He slowly creeps around the corner, then we see a very important clue in what’s to come, we see webs. The handheld camera is very effective here we are forced to move into the unknown, this puts us in Frodo’s shoes. This updates the mood and increases the tension. The mise-en-scene, mainly the cobwebs, foreshadow of the dangers to come.

The next shot shows another Point Of View perspective, this one isn’t Frodo’s though because we see him in the frame, this gives the audience privileged information and makes us aware that he is being stalked. Frodo looks directly into the camera once, this shows us how cautious he is, it also shows how good of a stalker the predator is in this scene. The Point of View shot is very effective at increasing the tension. Once again in this shot, the majority of the frame is obscured by darkness.

The next shot is a mid shot of Frodo and his panicked facial expressions, he knows he’s doomed and there is something dangerous in the cave. The camera tilts down from Frodo’s face to the bones in the foreground. Along with the tilt, the camera switches its focus from background to foreground. The bone in this scene potentially hint us of what is to happen next as we connote bones with death, danger and doom.

Frodo gets worried, increasingly so as he goes deeper to his doom. The camera is slowly moving just in front of Frodo, looking as his startled expressions. He moves closer to the camera so he is in most of the shot, in the background are different ways he can go, each covered in web suggesting wherever he goes he is trapped, the close up camera also adds to this effect.

The camera swaps to another Point of View shot; once again we are in a first person view of the predator. The camera ‘peeks’ around the corner, observing Frodo. Most of this scene is black and Frodo looks very small in this shot, showing he is weak and easy prey.  The scenery is mostly webs, maybe telling us that he is already trapped.