Father Barry’s eulogy for Dugan

Close Analysis with Film Techniques

Vocab

• Eulogy: /ˈyulədʒi/ [yoo-luh-jee] –noun

A speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially a set oration in honour of a deceased person.

• Tirade: a prolonged outburst of bitter, outspoken denunciation (publically condemning someone); a long, passionate speech

• Dissolve (film terminology): A method of making a transition from one shot to another by briefly superimposing one image upon another and then allowing the first image to disappear. A dissolve is a stronger form of transition than a cut and indicates a distinct separation in action

• The scene begins with a dissolve from Pop Doyle’s solemn expression “He don’t need a doctor, he needs a priest”.

• Father Barry has completed the rites for the dead and the men assume that work will resume. Father Barry struggles with his conscience and surely the words of Edie Doyle are ringing in his ears “Who ever heard of saint hiding in a church”, when he begins his tirade against not only the Mob, but also the men’s culture of silence.

• There are several close ups of Terry and Brando vividly portrays a man who is terribly conflicted by guilt. He now feels responsible for two deaths.

Vocab

• IncongruousAdjective: out of keeping or place; inappropriate; unbecoming

Adding to this important scene is Kazan’s use of mise-en-scene. Father Barry preaches from the hold of the ship and we see him through the eyes of the longshoremen through many high angle point of view shots. Barry looks small and incongruous with the net hanging above his head and the shattered whisky bottles surrounding him. The lack of natural light and the shadows give this scene a claustrophobic feel.

Although normally polite to priests, Father Barry is far from the safety of his church and in addition to verbally insulting him it is notable that the men throw food and stain his clothes, symbolically depriving him of his usual power.

Terry, still undecided about his course of action warns Tillio to “Let him finish”. Although not intended as a serious proposition, Tillio’s reply “Whose side you on anyway?” makes it clear to Terry that he must choose who he will support.

Vocab

• Blocking (film terminology): The arrangements made for the composition of a scene, especially the placement and movements of actors.

• The camera moves between Father Barry and those he points out as being responsible. “He (Christ) sees you selling yourselves to the Mob for a day’s pay” Symbolically the blocking of this scene mirrors the hierarchy of the waterfront. Pop Doyle, Dugan and Father Barry are at the bottom, Big Mack is located above them and Johnny Friendly with Charley and others stands on the open deck and is shot only with low angles to add to the sense of menace.

• “How does he feel about the fellas who wear $150 suits?”

• Camera angle?

• Terry takes a major step towards testifying when he physically beats Tillio for attempting to throw an item at the Father Barry.

• Barry takes the insult of having food thrown at him and is injured after a can hits him in the head

• What can you say about the way Kazan chooses to shoot him now?

• Edie’s presence reinforces Terry’s guilt and as Father Barry closes his speech pointing to all the men, “Only you with God’s help have the power to knock them out for good”, Terry is forced to look Edie in the eye and without having to say anything.

• What is the significance of this look?

• Like the mother or widow of a serviceman receiving the national flag after a funeral, Edie is presented with Joey’s jacket.

• What does the jacket symbolise?• Terry’s presence in the foreground is less than accidental as it is suggested

that he should be the one to continue what Joey and Dugan had failed to accomplish. Later, when he is presented with Joey’s jacket, we see this confirmed.

• Father Barry ascends from the hold of the ship• Why place Pop Doyle on the tray?• There are two victims of the waterfront; one has lost a son, the other,

his life.

• Before the final fade out to black the scene ends with a close up of Johnny Friendly looking concerned.

• What is he worried about?• Some of what Father Barry has said has caused him to fear that

others might take Dugan’s place.