KILL BILL

KILL BILL - SOUND EDIT

Sound is key here in creating the atmosphere of this scene. 

In the first part of this scene, the  diegetic sound of the nails being hammered into the coffin is very effective. It is a steady repetitive sound that informs the audience that the men are really going to bury her alive. The sound is from Beatrix's point of view, so is louder then what it would normally be. This heightens the dramatic effect as the audience can sympathise with her the terrible sound of being sealed into a coffin, alive. There is a pause between each nail being driven in, which builds tension as the audience is waiting for the noise to begin again, and for her to become completely trapped. 

The non-diegetic sound of the Western music, is very melancholy and mournful, suggesting that her fate is sealed and that she won't live through this. The whistling is high and piercing and unsettles the reader as it contrasts from the low sound of the hammer hitting the nails.

The screen then goes black and all the audience can hear is Beatrix's breathing. This showcases Beatrix's fear as her breathing is out of control and punctuated by sobs. Following this, we hear scraping sounds, which implies that the coffin is being dragged. Even with the screen still black this message is passed across clearly by the sound. By not seeing the coffin being moved, only hearing it, it allows the audience to use their imagination, and picture for themselves the sight of the coffin being moved. A pause, and the sound of a man's groan and of rope being pulled through hands, implies that the men are now lowering the coffin into the ground. This meaning comes across easily, as the sound is very accurate and allows the audience to fully understand what is going on. All the while under this sound is Beatrix's breathing and crying, which makes the audience keep in mind that it is her whose in the coffin and that she is still very much alive. 

After the coffin has been lowered into the ground there is a pause. This creates so much tension, as the audience are waiting for the first sound of dirt to hit the coffin. Firstly, their is the sound of one pebble hitting the coffin and then a massive thump as a heap of dirt falls upon it. Again, the sound is from Beatrix's perspective so is very loud, which intensifies the situation. There is a pause between each shovel of dirt, and each time the sound of it hitting the coffin becomes quieter.  This implies that she is becoming fully submerged in the ground and can no longer hear the sounds above her. Also, her screams become more violent which shows her desperation and fear. 

Sound is used more in this scene than visuals to create meaning. Without actually seeing her being buried, the idea of it is clearly put across by only the use of sound. This produces a very unsettling atmosphere, and makes the audience feel part of the scene as they themselves have to use their imagination to visualise what is happening, therefore dragging them into the horrific scene.