Skyfall: analysis

Propp's theory of the seven archetypal character identifications becomes extremely apparent in this scene, with the traditional Hero, Villain and Princess identified. As in all Bond films, James Bond can be obviously identified as the hero, and this is due to the Dark suit wore in the scene and the dark sunglasses worn, allowing the audience to obtain a sense of uncertainty and mystery, in comparison to the white suit, white hair and light, faded clothes worn by the typical 'Villain' in this scene. When stood together in the same (long) shot, the comparison between the Hero and the Villain made the identification between the two obvious for the audience. By wearing the white suit, the Villain is presenting himself (or rather being presented by the producers) as an innocent looking man, with white signifying innocence and naivety, characteristics which aren't stereotypically found in men of this character's age, or men at all. Also, by the character's name being unspoken, the audience are lead to watch the events unfold without knowing who he actually is. This however would only take place if the scene was being watched alone rather than with the rest of the film.

This scene support's Propp's theory by enforcing a similar one of Levi Straus, with the Binary Oppositions between, not only the typical hero and the villain, but between the good (hero) and the bad (villain), the good-looking and not so good-looking and the black suit and the white suit, all of which contribute to the audience's decision as to who may be who. Although traditionally the 'Princess' would survive such a scene, being saved by the hero and living happily ever after, both the 'hero' Bond and the audience watch her die, giving a more modern (and less traditional) twist to the scene.
During the clip, as Bond is preparing to shoot the shot glass from the 'princess'' head, she is shown to the audience via long shot, as the camera slowly zooms in on her, keeping her whole body in focus. By not cutting to her face or another part of the body. the audience are left to look in detail at how she has been tied up, her appearance( for example her hair being a tangled mess, her red dress (which may also signify something about her as a person, left for the audience to determine) which is damaged and the blood on her face. The shot flips back to bond as he struggles to shoot, his hand shaking, and again back to the woman, no zoomed in closer to her face using a mid shot, to intensify the moment where she looks at Bond in a desperate attempt to save herself. Each shot gets closer and closer to the woman's face, creating a tense moment for the audience, as they decide whether Bond will shoot or not.

There are several aspects within this short clip which enforces the typical genre, for example, the suit worn by the Hero, the weaponry (for example the guns in the case, used by the Hero and the Villain) and the help which arrives for Bond (for example the Choppers and other forms of aircraft which arrive at the same time as the traditional, repeated signature 'Bond music' known as iconic by the public comes into play). A traditional fight scene is also apparent within the scene, all of which are shot extremely low to the ground, which also encourages the idea that the film is that of a traditional spy/action genre. By supporting this typical genre, the producers are gratifying the audience's expectations in that the will know what sort of scenes would typically follow in a genre such as this. 

The music used when the characters enter the set and the scene begins, may signify that of a war (either physical or metaphorical), however also shows the audience a clam scene, at a steady pace as the characters emerge. The non-diegetic sounds soon turn to fast pace (more likely to be associated with such a film), indicating to the audience that a scene iconic to the James Bond films will be unveiling. While the fight scene continues, the audience are allowed to view Bond's triumph's through several mid shots extremely low to the ground as he tackles what may be considered by the audience 'villains' as all of the connotations associated with a Bond film are now present.