Narrative Theory Relating to "Halloween" and "The Crazies"

"Halloween"




"The Crazies"

1. Does "The Crazies" follow the Classical Hollywood Narrative (CHN)? Why or why not?

 

The Crazies does not follow the CHN for a number of reasons. For example, there is a desequilibrium right at the beginning of the film. Another example is the lack of a happy ending despite David and Judy managing to escape.

 

2. How many of Propp's character types can be identified in "The Crazies"?

 

Hero - David

False Hero - Russell, Military

Villains - Crazies, Military, Government, Mayor

Donor - None

Helper - Judy, Russell

Princess - Becca, Judy

Princess' Father - None

Dispatcher - Mayor (inadvertantly)

 

3. List five examples of binary oppositions in "The Crazies" and explain them briefly.

 

a) Good vs. Evil: The virus that has infected "The Crazies" acts as an evil force, sending them on a killing spree. The good in the film, embodied by David and Judy, manages to overcome the evil.

 

b) Sane vs. Crazy: This is a literal view of the events in the film; the sane characters attempting to fight against, then escape from, the infected ones.

 

c) Moral vs. Immoral: It is arguable that the government could be seen as immoral for ever creating a virus such as the one used in the film. A strong example of a moral character is Judy. We are shown this in several scenes, such as when she contemplates that she may be infected, and when she screams to save Becca from being murdered.

 

 d) Safe vs. Unsafe: Safety is never really seen in the film, although there are points where the characters feel safe. For example, Judy seems to feel safe when they reach their home again. She also seems to feel safe enough to be left alone in the diner to wait for David.

 

e) Day vs. Night: A key convention of horror; distressing events often, if not always, occur during the night. However in "The Crazies", the first distressing event we are shown happens in broad daylight when David shoots Rory on the baseball field.

 

4. Identify the three 'durations' and give an estimate of the time each duration covers in "The Crazies".

 

a) Screen time - 92 minutes.
b) Plot time - 3 days.

c) Story time - 1-2 years approx.

 

5. Give two examples of events that cause later events in the film, but occur before the films 'starts'.

 

a) Creation of the virus.

b) Judy's pregnancy.

 

6. List two events from the 92 minute film that happen in a different time and space to the one we are shown.

 

a) Infection of civilians in other towns.

b) Spiking of the tyres on the Sheriff's truck.