MovieChat Forums > 28 Days Later (2003) Discussion > Brilliant Filmmaking

Brilliant Filmmaking

posted 7 years ago by SoulHacker88 (20)
2 replies | jump to latest

I don't know how many people who have watched this movie are aware of this, but most of it was shot on a camcorder, which explains its low-resolution look. However, there are two aspects of this that support its use.

First, is the artistic intent. Since this was shot on a camcorder (Canon XL1 DV), this gives the film a gritty, grimy, almost nightmare-like look to it, which perfectly suits the film's post-apocalyptic nature. Now the last few minutes of it was shot on traditional 35mm film, and if you've ever watched this on Blu-ray or an HD channel, there's quite a disparity in look. The ending looks gorgeous since it was shot on film and implies that the apocalypse is over and there is clarity, beauty, and hope in the world again.

Second, is the practical intent. Since Danny Boyle and crew were using a camcorder, this made it very practical and easy to shoot in London for the scenes where Jim is walking around the deserted streets. There was a very limited window of time to shoot every day, and setting up the camcorder made it much easier and practical than a film camera.

I don't know if this movie is ever used as a model for filmmaking in film schools, but if it isn't, I feel it should be, to teach aspiring filmmakers that budget isn't everything and being creative with your limitations can go a long way.

[–] atd8vii (592) 6 years ago

I do like this movie, it's perhaps the only zombie movie that genuinely frightened me and left me unsettled. Still, the quality of the film stock looks awful in places, I do like myself some grit especially if it helps the tone and atmosphere of the movie, but here it was just a little too much. Not a deal breaker but a bit of a distraction.

"And what about the sh*t weasels, the ones that blast out the basement door?" - Col. Curtis

[–] JohnMatrix (718) 4 years ago

That’s actually my point in another post I just made. At the time when I was watching it at the movie theater I had no idea that it was shot with the camcorder and the low-resolution picture was intended that way. Granted it’s brilliant and gives movie a more documentary feel , but I can’t help but wonder what movie would’ve been like if it were shot in the conventional way. I actually was pretty pissed off seeing it like that in the movie theater wondering when they’re gonna fix the projector! Lol. Then at the very end when the picture appeared in its full clear glory that was almost like a confirmation to me that they had something wrong going on all the time. Lol. Look they finally fixed the picture!