Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Scene of the Week: Carrie

directed by Brian De Palma
The Prom Massacre

The scene: In one of the most famous scenes in history when Carrie and Tommy get on stage as the Queen and King of the prom, Chris pulls the rope attached to the bucket with pig's blood, which falls on Carrie and knocks Tommy unconscious. Carrie, horrified, disturbed and shocked focuses her rage and her telekinetic powers of her schoolmates and even on Miss Collins, who was her friend - in her demented mind Carrie thinks she is laughing at her. De Palma used split screen here which is extremely effective - at the same time we are able to see the horror and the bloodshed and extremely frightening look on Carrie's face. Originally the entire prom sequence was shot this way but De Palma changed it. The massacre ends with Carrie setting the place on fire and walking through the door. What's adds to the horror of the scene is Pino Donaggio's score, heavily inspired by Bernard Hermann's work, who was originally set to compose music for "Carrie" but he died shortly before the making of the movie.

Related posts:

8 actresses who would be a better choice for Carrie than Chloe Moretz 
Movie Poster Appreciation 
Carrie (the review)

21 comments:

  1. NikhatApril 10, 2012 at 8:35 PM

    I had been thinking of writing something on this scene for a while now. It is honestly one of the most brilliant scenes ever. Spacek's eyes... they bore a hole through your soul.

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    1. s.April 12, 2012 at 12:39 AM

      Her eyes are amazing, really made her look like some insane doll brought to life, so scary!

      Delete
  2. thevoid99April 10, 2012 at 9:53 PM

    I was like... "now why did they go and do that? That wasn't nice. You people are fucked now! Kill 'em Carrie!"

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    1. s.April 12, 2012 at 12:41 AM

      I probably should have felt awful for cheering for Carrie, but I haven't.

      Delete
  3. Dave EnkoskyApril 11, 2012 at 3:07 AM

    Definitely one of my favorite horror finales. Also my favorite adaptation of a King novel.

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    1. s.April 12, 2012 at 12:40 AM

      Mine too! The first one and curiously the best one :)

      Delete
  4. RuthApril 11, 2012 at 3:52 AM

    :O :O :O I am so annoyed the the DVD from the uni library is not there!! I want to see this so bad, it looks so freaky!!!!

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    1. s.April 12, 2012 at 12:42 AM

      Very freaky, that particular scene has a strong Argento feel to it.

      Delete
  5. ilovethatfilmApril 11, 2012 at 10:05 AM

    It's absolutely insane! The split screen makes it feel like the very movie itself is falling apart! Poor Carrie!

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    1. s.April 12, 2012 at 12:44 AM

      I love that efect and the mad kaleidoscope, such an iconic device from this scene. Even South Park used it :)

      Delete
  6. Scott LawlorApril 11, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    Indeed Pete, poor Carrie!

    I could do with those mad eyes and powers the next time someone talks too loud in the cinema!!

    Great Job Sati

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    1. s.April 12, 2012 at 12:52 AM

      Haha and use the fire extinguisher to smack them over the heads and knock the cell phones out of their hands :)

      Delete
  7. Alex WithrowApril 11, 2012 at 4:42 PM

    THEY'RE ALL GONNA LAUGH AT YOU!

    Christ look at those eyes - impossible to shake. I think De Palma's use of spilt-screen here is the most effective he's ever done, which is saying a lot. Sisters has an excellent split-screen sequence, but this Carrie moment is just epic.

    Great write up!

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    1. s.April 12, 2012 at 12:59 AM

      Thank you! I love Carrie the most out of all his movies, though he really made a lot of excellent films. The prom sequence is just utter briliance.

      Delete
  8. Stevee TaylorApril 12, 2012 at 1:00 AM

    I love the split-screen. I love Sissy Spacek. I love this movie.

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  9. 3guys1movie.comApril 12, 2012 at 2:34 AM

    Sati, I must confess that I have never seen this film. Now your photos and description have me a bit scared to do so....

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    1. s.April 13, 2012 at 3:44 AM

      You feel for Carrie so in this scene you aren't as much scared. The ending is horrifying, though.

      Delete
  10. TheVernOctober 23, 2013 at 6:52 AM

    The build up before the bucket is dropped on her is so intense. I begin sweating every time I see it.

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    1. s.October 23, 2013 at 8:08 PM

      It was amazing! De Palma is such a master at building tension.

      Delete
  11. AnonymousDecember 9, 2016 at 1:42 PM

    Tarantino references this scene in Inglorious Basterds in the theatre massacre, and also throws in a reference to Scarface with the slow motion gunfire as Hitler is being shot up.

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