This scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 Dial M for Murder exemplifies the use of high contrast, chiaroscuro lighting.
Establishing shot
The only light source is the bedroom lamp from the adjacent room. The lamp provides the scene with low key lighting and a fast fall-off, especially in this establishing shot where Margot glides—mostly in shadow—towards the ringing phone. Not only does this high contrast lighting technique create volume, texture, and heavy shadows in the scene, but also it gives the scene a heightened sense of drama. While most of the scene is lit with chiaroscuro, thus intensifying the three-dimensionality of things, there is a shot where Margot’s figure appears flat; silhouette lighting is incorporated during the shot of the assassin’s point-of-view (:25). This lighting technique compliments the POV shot because, like the assassin, the viewer too is now watches from the dark.
Point-of-view shot with sillhouette lighting
High contrast, Dutch angle shot
Besides for lighting, music also plays an important role in this scene. The score is cued just as Margot picks up the phone, alerting viewers that trouble is coming. The music here is empathetic because it parallels the feelings of suspense and drama in the scene.
URL:
\”Dial M for Murder\” clip
