The Searchers: Lighting - ENG 225

             

Identify the type of lighting used in the film (traditional three-point, high-key, or low-key) and assess the impact of the lighting used to establish the theme.

In the very beginning of the movie the door frame to the cabin is used to frame the setting and main character of the movie. Lighting is used effectively to completely black out the foreground (inside the cabin), so that all the viewer focuses on is the Texas setting outside and Ethan (John Wayne) as he approaches the cabin on horseback.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7hux8AgCCc

Most of this movie's setting is outdoors, so there is mostly lighting that is meant to portray natural shadows of light and dark depending on whether it is night or day. Day is very high-key lighting, and night is low-key with the added effect of a full moon. The same technique is also implemented in the body of the film, in a few other instances, to bring attention to the main characters again. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98Xtn4JG2bQ

The closing scene uses lighting to frame Ethan (John Wayne) as he watches the family go into the cabin to reunite with Debbie (Natalie Wood). The foreground is completely dark, only what you would see out the door (the front porch, the Texas landscape, and Ethan) is visible as the movie ends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoDigplUtKU

What are the benefits of the style of lighting used? How did this technique contribute to the theme? How was the lighting technique suited to the genre of the film?

The benefits of the style of lighting used makes this movie seem real and natural. This contributes to the theme of a Western because it follows the genres conventional description of a man and his horse battling the natural elements of the land (Goodykoontz, 2014). This lighting also contributes to the theme of hope throughout the movie. It is high-key, not only to portray natural light, but to foreshadow the event of finding one of the missing girls. Also it is light for hope, as the searchers do not loose hope or determination of finding Debbie.

Compare how the scene would play if different choices had been made.

If the lighting was too low, when it should be high, the audience would be confused between night and day in the scenes. If the lighting was too direct, or too low, it would effect the natural lighting that one would expect to see outdoors. It could also effect the viewer's sense of the characters. Although the Indians are the bad characters in the film, they are not seen in a dark light. This is also in following with the natural feel of the lighting. When the posse meets the Indians it is always outside, in a naturally lighted place.

Resources

Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.) [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/

joe26155. (2013, September, 19). The Searchers closing scene [video file]
       Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoDigplUtKU

Scott Bradley. (2010, November, 5). The Searchers Clip - Setting [video file]

       Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98Xtn4JG2bQ

yatesssss. (2008, March, 28). The Searchers - 1 [video file]
       Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7hux8AgCCc