Raging Bull - Editing

The use of editing in film added an element of art to the filming process. From a simple perspective editing eliminates unnecessary time and space as well as connecting different shots or scenes within a film. D.W. Griffith’s use of editing to add power or subtlety has been referred to as classical cutting; Griffith has contributed more to the elements of editing than any other individual.

Griffith’s use of the close up was able to add drama and emotion to a scene. In the film Raging Bull (U.S.A., 1980), director Martin Scorcese used close-ups masterfully to garner emotion from the audience. In a scene where the paranoid Jake La Motta confronts his wife Vickie with accusations of adultery, Scorcese uses the close-up to show increasing tension. Jake follows his wife into the bathroom and as the physical abuse from Jake increases the camera draws closer, relaying the fear and intensity of the moment, as the threat subsides so does the camera. Scorcese incorporated many other editing techniques that were perfected by Griffith.

Griffith would often use long extended takes with very few set up to shoot love scenes while conversely utilizing brief cuts during chase or battle scenes. Scorcese having to shoot several boxing matches did a masterful job of utilizing Griffith’s techniques. The title fight that Jake La Motta won, only consumed roughly a minute of actual screen time. In a short time Scorcese was able to convey the intensity and duration of the fight effectively to the audience through the use of short clips carefully compacted together. Considered the Father of Film, D.W. Griffith has made a lasting impact on the industry.

The basic elements of editing had already been developed before Griffith began his career. His vision however, allowed him to use editing techniques to psychologically direct the emotion of the audience. The contributions of Griffith have contributed to the success of many modern films. One great example of Griffith’s continued influences are in the film Slum Dog Millionaire (U.S.A., 2008). Thematic montage is used to show flashbacks throughout the film explaining a young boys ability to answer questions on the game show. Griffith’s work with parallel editing, cross-cutting, and development of thematic montage were among his greatest contributions which will indefinitely influence film editing.