Django Unchained Trailer Analysis

Shannon Bulmer Media Task 3

Technical Analysis of Film Trailers

Django Unchained (2012) – Adventure/Western

Firstly, at the beginning of the trailer we are introduced to the production company of the film ‘Columbia Productions’ which is a recognisable firm within the film industry therefore this automatically grabs the audience’s attention as this company has produced some great, successful films in its time.

This is the first clip which we are shown in the trailer. We see a medium close up shot of a character, with other characters in the same situation in the foreground. Also, in the foreground you can vaguely see the location which these characters are in, disserted and desert like, a stereotypical way of opening a western genre film. As you can see there are whip lashes on these characters back. This symbolises that these characters are slaves and have been punished previously for what they have done.

A quick cut shows a close up of the slave’s feet. The props used of the chains around their feet indicate that they are slaves. This frame refers to the title of the film ‘Django unchained’ showing that here he is chained but he soon becomes unchained and free possibly.

Another cut is followed by a wide angled establishing shot of the location where this is set. It shows they are around South America as around the time where this film was set, slavery occurred. This idea is reinforced by the proxemics and characters in this frame. For example we have a white male on a horse showing power and freedom leading the black male slaves who are walking and chained up.

Again, seconds after in the next clip we have an establishing shot of a change in location showing parallel editing of a change in time.


In this next shot, parallel editing has been used again to show a change in time on their journey and location, this is also shown through the different lighting, indicating it is now night time. Throughout these previous clips, western non-diegetic music has been played, to set the scene and genre of the film as well as there being no dialogue in these first few clips.

This medium close up of this white male character signifies that something is about to happen, as the music begins to fade accidentally. The use of artificial lighting of the lamp prop creates a spooky element to this clip as well as the location of the dark woods adding to this.

The next wide angled shot shows another horse and cart emerging from the woods, again using artificial light to create the spooky effect. Due to the speed of these clips and how long they are being featured on screen, this indicates that these are key elements to do with the story of Django.

This over the shot shoulder introduces us to the next character. The volume of the non-diegetic sound track decreases whilst the dialogue of the characters increases. This is an indication for an important feature to be announced due to the decreasing in volume of music and increasing volume of dialogue.

Smooth transitions are used at the beginning of this trailer using a slow fade between each clip. This links to the atmosphere of their location that they are in (woods) being eerie and spooky as well as using black out’s to link back to the very little lighting that they have.


In this frame, the white male says “I’m led to believe there is a specimen I keen to require” which refers to the buying of slavery. Whilst he says this, the prop of the lamp is shone on a black slaves face, introducing the main character. We instantly recognise this face due to the medium close up used, also by the star system using Jamie Foxx who is a known successful actor. By using the use of star system it increases the amount of people to come and watch the film, as Jamie Foxx has done some incredible films previously and created a fan base therefore guaranteeing audience members.

Here you can see another slow fade transition used to show a smooth change in clip. By repeating the same transition it makes the clips run more smoothly and looks more professional.

A close up shot is used to show a clearer view of Jamie Foxx’s characters face when the white character asks him what his name is. In response he says “Django” which introduces the audience to the main character of the film, knowing that the film is based on this character.

A cut is then followed by a two shot showing the two characters. We now see a close up of this white character, again showing the audience the star system by having Christopher Waltz. In response to Django, this character says “Then your exactly the one I’m looking for” which again, reinforces that this film is going to be based on Django the character.

A medium long shot of the white guard on the horse shows his reaction to the other white Character being interested in buying Django. This character refuses the offers made, creating tension between the characters.


The same incidental non-diegetic music begins to increase slightly, indicating that something may happen. Again, artificial lighting is used of the lamp prop, so audiences are only able to see the actors face and not clothes or the characters in the foreground.

In response, this same character says “very well” and drops the lamp which is the only source of lighting used within the scene. This is a very effective way as it links both the audience and characters together as the audience are only able to see what the characters can in terms of lighting. By these actions of this character, it connotes that violence is about to happen as your able to see in the print screen that he is about to withdraw his pistol.

From this wide angled shot, you’re able to see that this character shot both the white guards. This could confuse the audience as white people were respectable to each other whereas they would use the black people as slaves. Therefore by featuring this key element, it shows us that this character is different.

A quick increase in volume of the music is used to emphasise the credits of the trailer. The typography used in this trailer links to the genre of this film (adventure/western). By including the director ‘Quentin Tarantino’ this again encourages fans of this directors work to watch the film, as he does very adventurous, gory and sometimes odd films therefore guaranteeing that this film is going to be good.

A smooth fade transition is followed by a close up shot of the white character (Dr King Schultz) freeing Django’s chains, linking to the title of the film ‘Django Unchained’.


The volume of the music begins to increase as Django is walking out of his clothes to being free. We see a medium close up shot of the back of this character’s body, again being able to see his whip lashes, foreshadowing that this isn’t going to happen anymore. As you can see, Django throws off his rags indicating that he is no longer a slave and now free, however staying alongside Dr King Schultz.

The same transition (smooth fade) is used to show a change in clip featured in the film. You see that Django has been given new costume, referring to the fact he is no longer a slave. He is also riding a horse which is unknown for black people to do as it reinforces power to someone, hence why you can see in the corner of the frame, a white person is watching them. In this same frame you able to see a hanging rope, representing the different punishments black slaves got for when they rebelled against their orders.

Another fade transition shows a change in set. As you can see the character are in a local bar. Around those times, it was against the law to let black people in local places such as bars etc however Dr King Schultz is allowing this, showing that he doesn’t believe in slavery or discrimination. We begin to get to know Dr King Schultz in a little more detail as Django says “You kill people” which could mean that his job is that he is a bounty hunter.

A quick cut then takes us to a medium close up of Dr King Schultz about to shoot someone, linking the clip with the dialogue. Followed by a close up of this characters hand pulling the trigger.

A panning shot to the right shows a pin up of ‘Reward’ posters on a wall, followed by Django carrying on his conversation saying “and they give you a reward” therefore relating back to the idea that Dr King Shultz is a bounty hunter. The prices of the reward are very high, especially around the time when this film was set, signifying that this character is rich.


This over the shot shoulder showing a close up of Django’s face begins to reveal why Dr King Shultz wanted Django as he says “I need your help” therefore connoting that Django is of some use to him, maybe to do with skill or knowledge, linking to the idea that this character believes black people are on an equal level to white people.

The voice over of Dr King Schultz continues saying “I’m looking for the Brittle brothers”. Whilst the voice over is continuing, further clips from the film are being featured. Here is an establishing shot of the KKK on horseback with fire, linking to the history behind the story.

Dr King Schultz begins to say how he doesn’t know what they look like, matching the clip to the dialogue as we then see medium close ups of the KKK on their horses with the iconic white masks on their faces, referring the Brittle brothers to be part of this group. Soon after saying “but you do” to Django, signifying some sort of past encounter with each other.

Rapid cuts are then used to show the faces of the three wanted brothers to familiarise the audience with who the characters are, all being white characters showing that Dr King Shultz never kills black people.

A close up shot is used to show a prop of a personalised horse saddle with a ‘D’ on it, for Django. This shows us that he soon becomes an iconic name to people, whereas the other black slaves become a number however Django gets his identity back as well as freedom.


Going back to the previous point about Dr King Schultz thinking both black and white people are equal. A medium long shot of the two character sitting on horse back show the little contrast between the character, except for the costume of Django’s not being so extravagant due to lack of money. This shot also symbolises the growing relationship of these two men which is unknown around this time of slavery.

In the next featured clip we see a long shot of a black female slave being dragged along the floor by a white male. This symbolises the type of behaviour and actions taken towards the slave if they did something badly. Matching to this clip a voice over of Django says “they caught my wife” revealing a background story and anger as to how he knows the three brothers.

A wide angled establishing shot is followed afterwards, introducing us to the first brother. In the hand of this brother is a whip prop, foreshadowing what he about to do to this female. This could indicate that this brother had previously hurt Django’s wife, therefore foreshadowing what could happen to this man in revenge.

Parallel editing was then used to flash back of an over the shoulder shot to the previous clip of the two male characters having a conversation about the three brothers mentioning that they sold his wife to someone else.

As soon as Django says that he isn’t sure who they sold his wife to, we are taken to a different location of a posh looking living room shown with an establishing shot. In the frame we see a male white character turning around.


A fast zoom is followed by a close up of this newly introduced character. From this close up we are able to see the award winning Leonardo Dicaprio which again shows that this film includes some of the most successful actors therefore guaranteeing a good screening. Linking these shots with the dialogue of Django we can see that this character must be linked with the buying of his wife, therefore foreshadowing what may happen with Django and him.

An out of focus wide angled dollying shot is used, following the characters from the front. In the foreground you see a huge open space with big white gates indicated wealth which could link to them visiting Calvin Candie’s house. As the two characters get closer to the camera they become more in focus.

The same fade transition is used to show Django having a bath in a river.

This is followed by an eyeline match showing a medium close up of Django’s wife however in his imagination. This clip is shown when Dr King Schultz says “ill take you to rescue your wife” which tells the audience the main storyline of his quest to find his wife.

Parallel editing is again used to take us back to a over the shoulder shot showing a close up of the same previous conversation using between Django and Dr King Schultz which was featured at the beginning of the trailer. Django says “where we going?” whilst the same soundtrack decreasing in volume.


The same soundtrack increases in volume, similar to the same time we were introduced to the name of the director. These credits appear of the screen on the climatic point in the song, to make it seem bold and to knock into the audience brain when the film will be released. The same typography and colour scheme is used throughout.

The music’s volume decreases again when we see a medium close up shot of the two main characters. You see Django using a gun whereas Dr King Schultz is sat next to him, indicating that he is teaching him how to become a bounty hunter, foreshadowing the power and ability Django is going to have in the film.

As Django shoots in gun in the previous print screen, a graphic match is used to show an explosion of a cart, whipping out the KKK which was seen previously in a clip in the beginning of the trailer. This shows the action side to the film, showing a mixture of genre’s within this film.

As said before with the other credits, the soundtrack’s volume increases when the credits appear on the screen. Again, on the climatic point of the song, the credits appear, keeping the audience entertained throughout.

Straight after, a cut is used to represent the previous credit of ‘life’ showing the new life that Django has of being free. This show pans down Django’s body once he puts on different clothes for the first time being free.


That is followed by another set of credits. This time says ‘liberty’ appearing on the climatic point of the song, again to entertain and keep the focus of the audience.

This clip following the credits shows a close up of Django getting revenge on one of the brothers for torturing and selling his wife, showing the justice that he is gaining.

This is the brother being shot by Django. A low angled shot showing the difference in height of the horse and the height which this character is falling. You can see in this frame a whip prop in the characters hand, indicating that he continuously punishes his black slaves.

Again, exactly the same as the previous credits, these appear on a climatic point within the soundtrack. Using the same typography throughout, as well as colour scheme.

The clip following those set of credits is a over the shoulder shot of Django killing all the white guards alongside Dr King Schultz, again revealing to the audience that he tries to achieve revenge.


The penultimate credit shows the key to what Django is trying to achieve in the sense of justice and revenge. Again appearing on the climatic point of the music.

A worm’s eye view shot is used from a low angle from one of the brother’s perspectives from their angle of Django whipping him like he did to him and his wife. Showing the revenge. Django’s costume shows that he has now wealth since being free alongside Dr King Schultz and now is superior.

Before this clip you see montage editing of various clips featured in the film showing other characters and their relationships. This shot shows a medium close up of Django with a small pistol which is the same as the one drawn out of Dr King Schultz pocket at the beginning of the trailer; this shows us the different in Django’s character throughout the trailer without revealing much of the story.

The trigger is fired and the screen goes black. By doing this it would keep the audience intrigued as to who Django has shot therefore guaranteeing that the audience will watch until the end of the trailer. As this black screen appears the music ends and fades out, indicating its coming towards the end of the trailer.

A slow fade in transition is used to show a medium close up of the side profile of these two characters. The music has stopped and all you can hear is Django say “you kill white folks and get paid for it” establishing the job of Dr King Schultz.


This is followed by a close up shot of the side profile of Django, saying “what’s not to like”. This indicates that Django is going to become a bounty hunter alongside Dr King Schultz. It also shows a contrast between these two characters friendship and the job of killing white people.

Linking to the dialogue of what Django says, we see a medium close up shot of one of the brothers being shot. In the background you can see the same black female slave which was featured in a previous clip being dragged along the floor, representing the different flashbacks included in this trailer.

We go back to the same medium close up shot of Django however without his pistol. He says “I like the way you die boy” which is referring to the fact he has just shot the male character in the previous print screen, again getting revenge.

A long shot eye line match is followed, showing this male character falling from his feet, dead.

As soon as the male character from the previous print screen hits the floor, a quick cut is used to show a change in clip showing a medium close up of Calvin Candie turning round saying “he is a rambunctious soul aint he” however the location of the set has changed therefore foreshadowing that Django’s behaviour in other circumstances attracts the attention of other people, making him stand out, referring back to him gaining his identity instead of being just a number.


The same music used throughout is again cut in. Graphology of two black hands appears on the screen with chains around the wrists, symbolising Django’s hands. The red background could be an icon of death, pain and danger which could reinforce what this character has been through during the film.

The animation of the hands breaks the chains in two and the title of the film appears from the middle in an explosion transition. The font of ‘Django Unchained’ is the same font used throughout. The red of the background is kept however there is smoke weaving around the title; this could represent the smoke coming from a gun’s explosion, linking in with the western genre of the film.

A quick cut edit is used to show a medium close up of Django and a white male character in Calvin Candie’s house as you can see them in the foreground. The white male says “what’s your name” again showing that Django is now being recognised for his behaviour being out of character to what they think of a ‘black slave’ due to his costume and that he is smoking. In this same clip, he replies “Django”.

This is followed by a medium long shot of Django practising his showdown skills in a different location. The firing of the gun matches the climatic point of the soundtrack, again entertaining and keeping the audience intrigued.

It then cuts back to the same clip of Django and the white male character. Django says “the D is silent” showing a comical aspect to the film and his character as he is coming off as cheeky and arrogant. It could also refer to the fact he is trying to outsmart the white character as black people around that time were uneducated and by proving that he knows English it shows up the white character in a bad light and Django is indicating that he thinks he doesn’t look educated.


The trailer ends with the usual credits, using a funny pun to leave the audience is a good frame of mind about this film. By the pun ‘Django is off the chain’ it refers to the plot of the story of Django becoming free as well as saying that this film is great and that everyone will enjoy it.

One thing however which wasn’t featured in the trailer who the different actors and actresses that star in this film. This could be because Tarantino used such world renowned stars that he knew the audience would know the names of the actors therefore didn’t need to include their names.

Django Unchained Trailer Analysis

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