Compare how far your chosen films reflect their different production contexts
The two films, Vertigo and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest do have different successful production contexts due to the times of when they were produced. The makings of both films were influenced by the technological, political and social aspects. Audiences were able to relate to these obscure topics through the cinematic elements portrayed and this is turn added to how they felt towards the film and how much of an impact it had on them.
Institutionally, both films have extreme differences when approaching the way their films were produced. Alfred Hitchcock added to his cinematic collection of using the studio system to produce his films while Milos Forman who'd been inspired by his freedom from communism when shooting OFOTCN, took a more unique approach and used location setting rather then traditionally shooting in a studio. Alfred Hitchcock, who had created a total of sixty-four films before producing Vertigo, established "Auteurian" characteristics which were common in many of his films. He used the studio to film certain scenes because he wanted to maintain this realism element in order to maintain the audience's engagement as the subject of the film was a serious one. An example of this in Vertigo is in the scene in the woods. The mise-en-scene of the trees is clearly artificial within this scene, however Hitchcock's attention to detail and manipulation of the set, inevitably causes the audience to feel immersed within the scene and forgets that it is not real. This was a huge risk for Hitchcock.
In terms of uncertainties, nothing can be more extreme then Forman's approach to creating his masterpiece. It moved away from the 'Golden Age' and into the 'New Hollywood'. It was a risk as it was an independent film created by an unknown director and cast, on location and on a very tight/low budget. Forman did not have the finance to use a studio which he used to his advantage as unlike Hitchcock, we are already drawn in by the set as it's on location and stresses its realism. This in turn, enables the audience to really engage with the action as what we are seeing is actually existing. When looking at the way Hitchcock directed, he never gave his actors freedom. There was no independence speaking lines and demonstrating actions. This completely contrasts Forman as he relied on improvised performances along with creative freedom on set. An example of this is the whole concept of the 'fishing trip' scene where Forman had to be persuaded to go ahead with it as he wanted the whole film to be set in the institution to amplify this idea of isolation to the outside world. The disorganisation paid off as the scene goes down as one of the most memorable from the film and stresses the success of the film's production context.
On the political front, Vertigo was produced just after the Second World War and at the same time as the beginning of the Cold War where there were extreme tensions between the Western and Eastern hemispheres. Furthermore, there was also growing fear of communism coming to the shores of America as the Iron Curtain had been fully laid, the east had now isolated themselves. Through the character of Scottie, we are able to depict not only how the war damaged the soldiers physically but also gives us an insight into their mental deterioration as well. As he becomes indulged in Madeleine's beauty there is a sense that he begins to lose his identity which can be argued that it corresponds to the devastation of war as men were sent to their deaths which in turn meant that their identities were worthless and they were all dehumanised. So it can be further argued that this film sends the message of being "Anti-War". The theme of isolation is exemplified through Madeleine's character. The scene in the art gallery where she's looking at the painting of Carlotta Valdez, there is no sound and the camera is a fixed wide shot which intensifies Madeleine's isolation to the world and that she represents the USSR and the fear communism poses. We struggle to sympathise with her as she places herself in isolation, she plants an iron curtain.
In One Flew Over, despite being produced thirty years later, the Cold War still had an influence over the world. The director, Milos Forman, emigrated from Czechoslovakia, so he was able to access freedom and no longer feel restricted due to communism. Even though it was an independent film which meant it had freedom in production, the concept of struggling to access freedom is seen through the character of McMurphy. He is held in chains by the institution and Nurse Ratched. He is the one who is willing to sacrifice his life and enable everyone to gain freedom. He represents Forman and those who wanted out of communism and the USSR. The power of Nurse Ratched reflects on the ruthlessness of Stalin and communism. The film successfully shows this through the close ups on the Nurse's face in the very first therapy session where she establishes her dominance and McMurphy is seen to be intimidated.
Alfred Hitchcock's attention to detail when it comes to the social context of Vertigo was pivotal as he wanted the audience to relate to the relationships of characters on screen and show the power dynamic between man and woman. During WW2, while men were off fighting, women took their role in the war effort by working in factories. However, when men returned they were forced out of their jobs and acclaims for their work was forgotten. Inequality was exposed. But there was a certain sense of power and independence penetrated by women which they had not felt before. This ascendency carried on after the war and emotionally, they were at the same level of dominance as men. This is seen in the film through the sexual aspirations Scottie feels for Madeleine. She is the female fatale and makes Scottie feel psychologically inferior to her through her cunning power. This inferiority is further reiterated as Scottie is seen as old school compared to Madeleine's more dominant role in post war society. His persona and traits are in parallel to the middle-aged man in the 1950s as their health and control had diminished because of the war. This in turn, makes him more relatable to the male audience and emphasises the success of production context.
This notion of female power is also seen in One Flew Over, but in a lot more harmful and vicious way through Nurse Ratched's character. At the time of production, men were fighting in Vietnam which was extremely unpopular amongst the American people. Men were dying for no real reason causing negativity and frustration back home. Once again they were coming back mentally fatigued and some cases causing mental illness. Despite, being set in the sixties, the film provides the audience with the damage war can have on oneself. The "normal" people or Nurse Ratched in this case, takes advantage of this and heightens the dominance she has over the patients. Excluding McMurphy, the patients are petrified of her. Power is not only seen through a female but also the "black boys" as well which is ironic as previously they had been discriminated by fellow Americans. It was about this time that black people gained equal rights and the fact that they hold more power then the white man shows how inferior the patients are. Their dominance is seen through their calm yet aggressive performances especially in the basketball match and second therapy sessions.
In conclusion, there are similarities when it comes to the production contexts for both films. For example the Cold War and the power women have, have a significant influence over the nature of characters' emotions and personalities.. However, it is the historical/political contexts which gives each film its uniqueness. When looking at the power of women, Madeleine is powerful because of the strength and mental resilience she gained when men were away fighting in WW2. While Nurse Ratched's source of power comes from the mental state of the people she surrounds herself with. It is taken from the mental damage caused by the Vietnam War. Through all of this, Hitchcock and Forman do reflect their production contexts within each film as when it was released the audience was able to sympathise, understand and relate to what was occurring on screen.
Institutionally, both films have extreme differences when approaching the way their films were produced. Alfred Hitchcock added to his cinematic collection of using the studio system to produce his films while Milos Forman who'd been inspired by his freedom from communism when shooting OFOTCN, took a more unique approach and used location setting rather then traditionally shooting in a studio. Alfred Hitchcock, who had created a total of sixty-four films before producing Vertigo, established "Auteurian" characteristics which were common in many of his films. He used the studio to film certain scenes because he wanted to maintain this realism element in order to maintain the audience's engagement as the subject of the film was a serious one. An example of this in Vertigo is in the scene in the woods. The mise-en-scene of the trees is clearly artificial within this scene, however Hitchcock's attention to detail and manipulation of the set, inevitably causes the audience to feel immersed within the scene and forgets that it is not real. This was a huge risk for Hitchcock.
In terms of uncertainties, nothing can be more extreme then Forman's approach to creating his masterpiece. It moved away from the 'Golden Age' and into the 'New Hollywood'. It was a risk as it was an independent film created by an unknown director and cast, on location and on a very tight/low budget. Forman did not have the finance to use a studio which he used to his advantage as unlike Hitchcock, we are already drawn in by the set as it's on location and stresses its realism. This in turn, enables the audience to really engage with the action as what we are seeing is actually existing. When looking at the way Hitchcock directed, he never gave his actors freedom. There was no independence speaking lines and demonstrating actions. This completely contrasts Forman as he relied on improvised performances along with creative freedom on set. An example of this is the whole concept of the 'fishing trip' scene where Forman had to be persuaded to go ahead with it as he wanted the whole film to be set in the institution to amplify this idea of isolation to the outside world. The disorganisation paid off as the scene goes down as one of the most memorable from the film and stresses the success of the film's production context.
On the political front, Vertigo was produced just after the Second World War and at the same time as the beginning of the Cold War where there were extreme tensions between the Western and Eastern hemispheres. Furthermore, there was also growing fear of communism coming to the shores of America as the Iron Curtain had been fully laid, the east had now isolated themselves. Through the character of Scottie, we are able to depict not only how the war damaged the soldiers physically but also gives us an insight into their mental deterioration as well. As he becomes indulged in Madeleine's beauty there is a sense that he begins to lose his identity which can be argued that it corresponds to the devastation of war as men were sent to their deaths which in turn meant that their identities were worthless and they were all dehumanised. So it can be further argued that this film sends the message of being "Anti-War". The theme of isolation is exemplified through Madeleine's character. The scene in the art gallery where she's looking at the painting of Carlotta Valdez, there is no sound and the camera is a fixed wide shot which intensifies Madeleine's isolation to the world and that she represents the USSR and the fear communism poses. We struggle to sympathise with her as she places herself in isolation, she plants an iron curtain.
In One Flew Over, despite being produced thirty years later, the Cold War still had an influence over the world. The director, Milos Forman, emigrated from Czechoslovakia, so he was able to access freedom and no longer feel restricted due to communism. Even though it was an independent film which meant it had freedom in production, the concept of struggling to access freedom is seen through the character of McMurphy. He is held in chains by the institution and Nurse Ratched. He is the one who is willing to sacrifice his life and enable everyone to gain freedom. He represents Forman and those who wanted out of communism and the USSR. The power of Nurse Ratched reflects on the ruthlessness of Stalin and communism. The film successfully shows this through the close ups on the Nurse's face in the very first therapy session where she establishes her dominance and McMurphy is seen to be intimidated.
Alfred Hitchcock's attention to detail when it comes to the social context of Vertigo was pivotal as he wanted the audience to relate to the relationships of characters on screen and show the power dynamic between man and woman. During WW2, while men were off fighting, women took their role in the war effort by working in factories. However, when men returned they were forced out of their jobs and acclaims for their work was forgotten. Inequality was exposed. But there was a certain sense of power and independence penetrated by women which they had not felt before. This ascendency carried on after the war and emotionally, they were at the same level of dominance as men. This is seen in the film through the sexual aspirations Scottie feels for Madeleine. She is the female fatale and makes Scottie feel psychologically inferior to her through her cunning power. This inferiority is further reiterated as Scottie is seen as old school compared to Madeleine's more dominant role in post war society. His persona and traits are in parallel to the middle-aged man in the 1950s as their health and control had diminished because of the war. This in turn, makes him more relatable to the male audience and emphasises the success of production context.
This notion of female power is also seen in One Flew Over, but in a lot more harmful and vicious way through Nurse Ratched's character. At the time of production, men were fighting in Vietnam which was extremely unpopular amongst the American people. Men were dying for no real reason causing negativity and frustration back home. Once again they were coming back mentally fatigued and some cases causing mental illness. Despite, being set in the sixties, the film provides the audience with the damage war can have on oneself. The "normal" people or Nurse Ratched in this case, takes advantage of this and heightens the dominance she has over the patients. Excluding McMurphy, the patients are petrified of her. Power is not only seen through a female but also the "black boys" as well which is ironic as previously they had been discriminated by fellow Americans. It was about this time that black people gained equal rights and the fact that they hold more power then the white man shows how inferior the patients are. Their dominance is seen through their calm yet aggressive performances especially in the basketball match and second therapy sessions.
In conclusion, there are similarities when it comes to the production contexts for both films. For example the Cold War and the power women have, have a significant influence over the nature of characters' emotions and personalities.. However, it is the historical/political contexts which gives each film its uniqueness. When looking at the power of women, Madeleine is powerful because of the strength and mental resilience she gained when men were away fighting in WW2. While Nurse Ratched's source of power comes from the mental state of the people she surrounds herself with. It is taken from the mental damage caused by the Vietnam War. Through all of this, Hitchcock and Forman do reflect their production contexts within each film as when it was released the audience was able to sympathise, understand and relate to what was occurring on screen.
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