Movie Review On My Darling Clementine

In the film, My Darling Clementine Ford uses a number of stylistic devices such as lighting, setting, and costume and camera position to create curiosity, suspense, and surprise within his audience. Suspense is largely created not by the events of that time but by the contrast of the characters. The director therefore, uses stylistic devices to bring out the character contrast and the element of cause and effect in the narrative so as to enhance suspense.
In the film the issue of conflict is a family affair there is a constant conflict between Clantons and Earps which is very evident in scene 21. In this scene the Earps brothers are introduced with low close-ups. The camera is at the low angle meaning that Earps is even larger than life reputation. Contrary to this Clanton’s and his son’s medium close-ups are shot with the camera placed slightly above them which signifies the smallness of the character.
Conflict which had been created when Wyatt refused to buy Clanton’s cattle continues to deepen in this scene. The medium close-ups of Clanton and his son watching Wyatt showed that there was dispute between the two conflicting families. James Earps and his silver that is seen when the older Earps left the camp insinuate a bad omen towards James. This suspense is finally satisfied when James is found murdered.
The contrast between the two families is evident. A close check at each family in this scene reveals that there is unity for a common purpose, to fight their enemies together. Each of the families is united; Earps family is united on the basis of familial affection while that of Clanton is based on the fear created by the old man with his bull whip. Clantons family is always in the night whereby darkness conceals their betrayal. Lighting reveals their faces in shadow giving an insight about their threatening demeanor. This is what made them to be chased from Tombstone community and their frequent visit to the Mexican Saloon shows how they were alienated.
Here the light always shines and there are no shadows while the camera is placed low showing their significance in the film. The first sequence though describe how Clanton and Earps looked alike, wearing the same costumes, dusty and unshaven. After being appointed as marshal Earps changed his attire to suit.
Doc’s arrival at the saloon reveals the seriousness of conflict that existed between the characters. He suggests some form of violence and danger. This is seen in the costumes, he is in black clothes normally worn by bad guys. Lighting also intensifies the mood by keeping his face under shadow. This brings out the illness he was going through and also impression of danger. On the other hand, Wyatt’s face is not under darkness and this leaves the audience in more suspense. The shot from behind revealing Wyatt walking the whole distance from Oriental saloon to the bar where Doc was standing is a strategy that Ford uses to keep the audience in suspense by showing Wyatt’s steadiness. In the camera close-ups of not showing the two together even when they are close to each other brings out conflict. Finally when they are very close to each other and Doc challenges Wyatt to proof the one who represents Tombstone’s law, the camera is moved back giving the impression of the two drawing closer.
Chihuahua appears with soft and softly lit close-ups bringing more emphasize on her character, very proud of herself. Clementine on the other is usually seen in medium to long shots bringing out the idea of her separation from Tombstone. Ford cuts back and forth at the point where Clementine arrived at the Tombstone. He conveys the idea of faster ride of the coach by rapid cutting and angle shots of the horses and coach, also through close-ups of the coach’s wheels. This scene again explores contrast between the Wyatt and Doc. Doc is more temperamental and emotional whereas Wyatt is steady and has control over emotions. The gunplay between the two is displayed in one long shot and later concluded with just one shot.
The film director also used sustained long shots to show Wyatt walking towards Clanton. The lonely walk normally seen in the Western show-down makes the audience to become anxious while waiting for the shooting to begin. Additionally, the whole scene of gunfights is silent and is only interrupted by some sounds of passing horses and stagecoach.
Doc’s sudden and violent death left the audience satisfied because he was such an enigma. If he had died by an illness the audience would feel unsatisfied. The image of his handkerchief which is seen in the breeze showed that the conflict between Earps and Clanton had finally come to an end. Indeed, this is the point where Doc’s face is free of the shadow unlike before.
Towards the end of this scene Morgan has left, so when Wyatt rides away, the group of onlookers sees the keep going of him any place between Clementine and his sibling. This time, Ford's Polaroid does not take after Wyatt from behind, as it has in such a large number of prior minutes; rather it stays with Clementine, who has as of recently proclaimed her devotion to the town of Tombstone. On one level there is frustration; the group of onlookers wants an upbeat outcome, however there is the suspicion that Wyatt may return. On a different level, the courageous person riding off into the dusk fulfills the desires of anybody raised on the Hollywood Western.
Scene 21 of the film My Darling Clementine gives a good example of how imperative the blending of story and expressive shapes is to a film. With its slim and off and on again ludicrous story of one occurrence in the half-fictional lives of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday, the chances of this film being the triumph it was were bad. What matters is not the plot such a great amount of, moving as it does from episode to occurrence without much consistency or association, however the way in which Ford has made a representation of a time and the characters who existed there. To repay for the shortcomings in the story, Ford fixes all available attention on advancing the characters, utilizing expressive components, to illuminate and strengthen the feeling of suspense apparent all through the film.
Therefore, through John Ford’s film My Darling Clementine especially scene 21 where there is great use of stylistic devices, one can learn how to creatively apply stylistic devices in a film to make it attractive and still delivers the message. Each device was used carried a specific meaning. If film directors can draw lessons from his film then film industry will be transformed in a very short span of time.