Luther

LutherCase Study 5 Luther - Background InformationLuther is a TV Thriller on the BBC, created by Neil CrossThere are currently 4 seasons (2010 - 2015).Directors include: Sam Miller, Brian Kirk, Stefan Schwartz, Farren BlackburnIt stars: Idris Elba, Warren Brown, Dermot Crowley, Michael Smiley and Ruth Wilson. Its won 1 Golden Globe amongst 12 other wins and 47 nominations.Luther - ReviewsIMDb User Review Luther is a ride that relentlessly takes you through a thick plot. The story is compelling and realistic. The acting is of class (I really like Idris Elba). The music choice at certain parts of the show is so fitting that a smile makes its way on my face amidst the gruesome storyline. I just think this show is spectacular.

Series 1 Episode 1Camera ShotsThe main conventional camera shot of the Thriller genre in the opening of series 1 are close ups (A) and even extreme close ups (B). Close ups are extremely common of this genre, many examples can be seen on the next slides. (C)During the confrontation between Luther and Henry Madson, the shot-reverse-shot close ups get increasingly tighter (D). This is done to add tension and opposition between the two characters and reinforce this idea that Henry is trapped.Another camera angle used that is common of the Thriller genre is the birds-eye-view shot (E). This shot puts the audience in a spying position.

(A)

(B)

Se7en (1995)Psycho (1960)The Third Man (1949)Kill Bill Vol.1 (2003)Silence of the Lambs (1991)The FifthEstate (2013)(C)(D)

(E)

Camera Shots 2During the opening to this series, the audience can see an example of skewed geometry and a slight tilt angle (F). These are common conventions of the Thriller genre and examples can be seen in the Third Man (G)(F)

(G)PropsThere are many common thriller props in the opening of Luther, Series 1. For example, once again we have an enclosed, trapped, coffin-like place (H). Using this very early on, on top of using a child locked inside, stuns the audience and makes the viewers feel claustrophobic.(H)

Props 2Another common Thriller prop seen in the opening of series 1 are dead/ unconscious bodies (I). Like previously mentioned, this is to stun viewers and reinforce the genre. Dead bodies can also be seen in Once Upon a Time in America (J)and Shutter Island (K).(I)

(J)

(K)

LocationsLike previously mentioned, the opening to the first series of Luther features an enclosed coffin like box where a small girl has been trapped. In my case study of The Third Man, i researched in more detail the use of enclosed spaces in Thriller films. On the next slides you can see many examples of what i found (L).

Essex Boys (2000) Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004)

Buried (2010)

Das Boot (1981)

Phone Booth (2002) Locations 2Another iconic thriller location used is a run down, industrial area (M). It can be argued that this setting is a metaphor for Luther, he is unorthodox and possibly corrupt. This is consolidated when Luther lets Henry Madson fall instead of helping him up like a regular police inspector would. Using a location as a metaphor like this can be argued to be a common convention of the thriller genre and can be seen in Essex Boys where the Essex marshes are a metaphor for Jason's personality (N). There is one track going through it - suggesting he has a one track mind.

(M)

(L)Locations 3Finally, the audience can also see an archetypal thriller location in the blacked out doorways Madson is chased through (O). This creates a sense of enigma and reinforces the idea of evil and darkness commonly associated with the thriller genre. The blacked out archways can also be seen in the Third Man (P).(O)

(P)CostumesThe famous costume of Luther remains the same throughout every series (Q). He wears a suit and an overcoat (R), a common costume of this genre. It can be seen in many thrillers and the examples can be seen on the next slide (S).

(Q)(R)

Peaky blinders (2013) (TV Show)

The Loft (2014)

Se7en (1995)The Raven (2012)LightingIn the opening to Series 1 of Luther we can see a brilliant example of chiaroscuro lighting when the audience are introduced to Luther and see his face for the first time (T). Like i mentioned in my case study of The Third Man, chiaroscuro lighting is a very common convention of the Thriller genre. It literally means light on dark. The film examples i explored can be seen on the next slide (U), including our own experiments with this kind of lighting (V).(T)

(U)The Third Man (1949)Prisoners (2013)The Dark Knight (2008)Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

(V)Lighting 2We can also see a great use of shadows (W), shadows are a typical convention of the thriller genre, normally used to represent the potential inner darkness of a character or the peril that will be associated with them in the forthcoming events. Carol Reed, the director of the Third man used shadows very frequently to imply that Holly Martins will soon be/ is associated with darkness and evil (X). Shadows can be seen in another 1940s Thriller, also starring Joseph Cotten: Shadow of a Doubt (Y).

(W)

(X)(Y)Cultural SignifiersObviously, the main cultural signifier in the opening to Series 1 is the accent. Characters use quintessentially British phrases such as No Maam that inform the audience of the series setting.Another cultural signifier are the police cars and ambulance (Z). Police cars in Britain have a very unique colour scheme that is different to those in other countries. This is a clear indication of the setting of this Thriller programme.

(Z)Series 2 Episode 1SoundIn the opening to Series 2 of Luther, we see an interview between the character of DSU Martin Schenk and Alice Morgan. This is a tense conversation and one of the reasons is through the use of diegetic sound. This scene uses very heavily just sound each character can hear (A). This is a common convention of the Thriller genre and it can be seen in Once Upon a Time in America where Eve comes home to her flat (B).(A)

(B)

Sound 2Furthermore, this scene also uses a narrator/ Voiceover. It cuts between Alice Morgan describing past events to Luther alone in his flat. (C) Narration is a common convention of the Thriller genre, examples can be seen in L.A Confidential (1997) (D) and Sunset Boulevard (1950) (E).(C)

(D)(E)Camera Shots & MovementSimilarly to the opening to Series 1, there are many examples of close ups (F), like frequently mentioned, close ups are a very popular shot with thriller directors. Also similarly to the first series we can see lots of over the shoulder shots (G). The shoulder in these shots gets more and more prominent as time goes on, reinforcing the idea of darkness encroaching into Luthers life.

(F)(G)

Camera Shots & Movement 2Throughout the entirety of Luther, there are many examples of the use of thirds (H). Thirds are rather common within the genre and examples can be seen in Tinker Tailor Soldier spy (2011) (I) and Non-Stop (2014) (J)Finally, following the opening credits we (the audience) see a long, P.O.V tracking shot (K). This puts us in the position that the women is being followed by someone because we literally are following her. P.O.V shots are common in the genre, they can be seen in Delmer Daves: Dark Passage (1947) (L) and the entirety of another 1947 Noir-Thriller, Lady in the Lake (M).

(H)(I)

(J) (K)

(L)

(M)LocationsIn the opening to Series 2 of Luther, we can see an archetypal location in the use of Wet streets (N). Wet streets can also be seen in Essex Boys (2000) (O) and Once Upon a Time in America (1984) (P).(N)

(O)

(P)

PropsFinally, a typical thriller prop used in the opening to Series 2 is a gun (revolver) (Q). Guns are extremely common and can be seen in most thriller films (R) and to be honest, in the many films from other genres.

(Q)

(R)The Usual Suspects (1995)Lady in the Lake (1947)