This poster for the film ‘The Godfather’ displays classic thriller signifiers. The poster gives the audience an impression of how the film will be before they watch it. From the thriller signifiers shown in the poster, the audience can predict whether they will like the film or not.
The poster is mostly black and white. The use of contrast between light and dark is a common and important thriller signifier. Light and dark can symbolise good and evil (light being good and dark being evil). This is especially true in film-noirs. The use of this lighting can help give the film a sinister and threatening atmosphere. Also, the colours symbolising good and evil can show to the audience that the film will involve a battle between good and evil.
The only colour in the poster is a rose that is red. This rose stands out from the rest of the poster due to its colour. The colour red can mean different things to different people; red can symbolise anger, rage, violence, blood and revenge, which gives the film the connotation of having these characteristics; the rose tells the audience that the film involves violence. The rose standing out in the poster also helps add to the sinister feel of the poster due to it giving the connotation of violence.
The man in the poster is wearing a tuxedo/suit which could be argued to be a classic thriller signifier (mainly film-noirs); it is common for characters in film-noirs to wear suits. The suit also gives the connotation of sophistication, professionalism and class to the character in the poster.
The fact that the character is male is also a thriller signifier; most old thrillers (including film-noirs) have male protagonists. There being a man in the poster suggests he may be the main character of the film. This means that the poster, and also film, may appeal more to a male audience.
The man’s face in the poster appears to be emotionless; the man’s eyes are ‘blacked-out’ and he is neither smiling nor frowning. Not being able to see his eyes and him having an emotionless face gives a cold, sinister feel to the poster which indicates the film is also ‘cold-hearted’ and sinister. This also helps add a dramatic effect to the poster and can leave the audience intrigued.
There is a quote from the film at the bottom of the poster (an anchor) which also contributes to the sinister atmosphere of the poster, and implies there is something mysterious going on in the film. Mystery in the plot of a film is a significant thriller signifier. The quote also makes the audience wonder about what the “offer” may be and why “he can’t refuse”. This can help get the film into the audiences’ head so that they then go and see it.
The poster does well in giving the audience an idea of what the film may be like and include. It is also effective in capturing attention.
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