The title of this post makes it seem like I’m going to write an essay… which I’m not. I have a strange compulsive obssesion with the human eye, and I’ve noticed horror films more than any other film use them as motives, or in extreme close-ups. Sadly I don’t have an extensive DVD collection, and a bad memory so I can’t remember all the scenes that I would like. There are a few I know of that I can’t get, namely from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), I also think there is one or two in Rosemary’s Baby… but I’m not sure. Here is what I have for now, any additions are welcome! Hitchcock in particular seems very fond of using eyes thematically (although he’s not exactly horror… especially outside of Psycho, I’m still including some from Vertigo because they are somewhat related). Check out The House Next Door’s Close-up Blog-a-thon for many great posts, all far better and informative than my own :p
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)
Repulsion
Psycho
Thanks to a good friend for these screencaps from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
15 responses so far ↓
Body Parts: Eyes « Beyond the Valley of the Cinephiles // October 12, 2007 at 12:27 am |
[...] Parts: Eyes I am bored and for Halloween, Eyes and the Horror [...]
k. // October 13, 2007 at 5:15 am |
Lucio Fulci has an annoying amount of eye-shots in his films. I’m pretty sure they all have at least one death by eye wound. It’s effective the first few times, but wears thin afterwards.
philosopherouge // October 13, 2007 at 5:25 am |
I haven’t seen any Fulci yet… do you own Texas Chainsaw K.? Is there a way you could get me those screens of those EXTREME eye close-ups?
Aurelle // October 14, 2007 at 7:18 am |
Wow those are some scary eye pictures! But you forgot one of the most famously spine chilling eye shots of them all: Un Chien Andalou!
http://www.eoran.com/unchienandalou/img/img01.jpg
And, Metropolis has some great close up shots of fake Maria winking. I’d also recommend Eyes without a face for some eye-focused shots.
I think the eyes are treated in cinema as the windows to the soul, and there’s an immediacy effect when you see someone’s eyes that close.
philosopherouge // October 14, 2007 at 6:15 pm |
Damn, I can’t believe I forgot those. I’ll add them.
I definetely agree with you on them being the windows to the soul, and with horror the eyes are so expressive, and when filmmakers abstract them with close-ups they become horrific on their own.
Aurelle // October 17, 2007 at 12:21 am |
Um, I know a writer from The House Next Door. lol Small world, no? I’m surprised you found it. But yeah, that is a great blog. I wonder if the link would lead him here? lol Nah.
philosopherouge // October 17, 2007 at 12:35 am |
It might, I can be a first class blog-pimper when I want. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Nemloth // October 30, 2007 at 12:42 pm |
How about clockwork orange ? ^^
Mike D // October 30, 2007 at 12:44 pm |
Check out Dario Argento’s Opera. That one takes the cake on awesome eye shots.
dr insermini // October 30, 2007 at 4:07 pm |
Great pics!
steve // October 30, 2007 at 6:01 pm |
check out ‘new york ripper’ great razor blade eye ball close up. makes me almost throw up every time.
Josh // October 30, 2007 at 6:44 pm |
I always think of Sissy Spacek’s eyes in ‘Carrie’ after the blood has poured all over her and she is setting the gym on fire.
philosopherouge // October 30, 2007 at 6:55 pm |
Nemloth: A Clockwork Orange is actually a great choice I can’t believe I forgot. It’s not really horror, but no more than Hitchcock.
Mike D: I’m embarrassed to say I have yet to see any Argento, I’ll try to make it a priority now
Steve: I haven’t even heard of New York Ripper, but sounds just like Un Chien Andalou… a film I was meaning to add. It all starts with Bunuel and Dali.
Josh: A very good suggestion, I’ll see what I can do.
Alex // October 30, 2007 at 10:41 pm |
What about the opening shot from Peeping Tom?
rodrigo // October 31, 2007 at 1:58 am |
Dario Argento’s Opera (1987)