Cinematography of Scorsese's Cape Fear

[steindj]

Caught this film the other night on one of the Starz channels. Was curious if anyone had any ideas as to how DP Freddie Francis achieved such a claustrophobic look.

 

[David G. Smith]

Claustrophobic? That is not the feeling that I get from the film. I do believe that this film is one of the only examples of filmic expressionism since the hey day of expessionism, what we now call "film noir" I am of the opinion that the only way to understand this film is to understand Freud's interperatation of the human psyche. The imagery of this film is pure Freud

 

[steindj]

What I'm referring to is a visual closeness, not in all scenes to be sure, obviously there's some wide shots, (e.g., when Sam Bowden discovers Max Cady at the parade and assaults him). But the tightness after Cady comes to town in the interiors of the law firm and Bowden's home (especially during scenes when the characters are obsessing over Cady). There almost seems to be a telephoto quality to the close shots--of course some of that could come from the constant zooming in from wider perspectives that can be seen.

Thanks for the tips on Freud and film noir, didn't think of that.