A great post from Jim Emerson about the color of red in movies and what it signifies – memorable bloodbaths, and great trivia (the bit about Scorsese and the red at the end of Taxi Driver is new to me). I agree that the kind of rusty red in that culminating shootout is somehow far more disturbing and documentary-like than bright-red would be, which can seem movie-ish.
My first thought having to do with red in the movies is Don’t Look Now (my thoughts on it here). Hard to pin down what it is that makes that film so supremely unbalancing … but the fleeting (and repeated) glimpse of red through the streets of Venice certainly adds to that sense of unease. Danger.
My favorite color, although I prefer it in a bloodless context!
First 2 that came to mind for me were:
“The Sixth Sense” where he used red the same way they used the theme in Jaws.
And then “Schindler’s List”. The little girl in the red coat. I am a complete coward, when she was trying to hide and (I’m guessing) was about to be found I had to turn the damn thing off. I was terrified and couldn’t watch any more. How many years ago (?) and I’ve still not watched it. Just thinking about that scene makes my heart pound!
The red cloak in Don’t Look Now is one I remember to this day and I only saw that movie once back in the 70s. I’m also reminded of the way-over-the-top blood in the restaurant scene in Kill Bill. Cool idea for a post.
And I’ll second the little girl in the red coat in Schindler’s. It’s an unforgettable image.
Oh Kill Bill – how could I forget the blood from Lucy Liu in the snow?! That was so beautifully done too.
You know, it;s really interesting how in the shower scene in Pyscho you don’t SEE the knife going in – ever – but you FEEL like you have – and although the blood is, of course, black – you FEEL the red stains … at least I do.
A really great lesson in not needing to show everything … and how the audience will fill in most of the blanks for you!
Oh, and I am haunted (and grossed out) by Sissy Spacek in her prom dress and crown – covered in bright red blood – at the end of Carrie. The blood having to do with menstruation – from the start of the film – coming back to represent shame, rage, violence … It’s just freakin’ awful – and so so vivid.