Pan’s Labyrinth Review

In the film Pan’s Labyrinth directed by Guillermo del Toro there is a distinct usage of mise-en-scene. The film uses a formalism approach to really engaged the viewer and to place the viewer in the dark and twisted world that the film is portraying. One way the film does this is in the very opening scene as the the camera is whirling around and leading viewers into little Ofelias lifeless eyeball as she is bleeding on the ground. This usage of formalism portrays a whimsical yet dark approach to the film which sets the tone of the film and continues throughout it as well. Pan’s Labyrinth, also uses quick scenes, dramatic music and weather forecasts to continue to set the tone of the film and give the viewer a real understanding and to experience the same emotions the characters are experiencing. One way the use of weather is portrayed is through the use of a rainstorm during the dramatic and somber murder scene of the doctor. The use of mise-en sence in Pan’s Labyrinth is also extremely evident in the dinner scene shown below.

The man sitting at the head of the table in uniform would lead viewers to believe he was the chief of some sort and the women sitting on his right would be his spouse. Another inference that can be made based on this picture is the placing of characters. All the people sitting closer to the man at the head of the table are seemingly paying much attention to him. However the man who is not in uniform, the doctor, seems to be having a moment of unease or fear. This placement makes him stand out among the rest who seem to be going normally about their meal.

Another Example of the usage of mise-en-scene in this film is portrayed in the image above. The placement of characters in this image gives viewers the sense that the man closer to the screen has some sort of power over the man in the back. This can be inferred by the way the man in back is dressed. He is well dressed, has good posture and is in a uniform where as the man closer to the screen is dressed rather sloppily and has a slouched posture. The postures and facial expressions of the two men show viewers that the man up front seems to have confidence and power over the frightened skittish looking man in the back. Overall this film used excellence examples of mise-en-scene to engage the viewers into the theme and tone of the film.