Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Film Trailer Analysis

Detective Sherlock Holmes and his partner Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.

Set in late Victorian London Target Audience from early 20’s to late 50’s Genre: Crime, Adventure, Action – imdb Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and

Rachel McAdams

About the film

Establishing shot, showing the backstreets of Victorian London. Asynchronous dialogue begins. “I have a request. There is someone I

want to see. Sherlock Holmes”. This is spoken by an unknown person who appears to be an antagonist behind bars, this creates

the code of enigma.

The dialogue “Sherlock Holmes, you underestimate the gravity of coming events” This appears to question Holmes’s ability as events are unfolding.As this is being spoken, there is jump cuts that reveal some sort of religious exorcism. Jump cutting to some sort of supernatural occurrence with a flying women.

“Tomorrow at midday, the world as you know it will end” This asynchronous sound is accompanied by Sherlock Holmes running away from the police in a variety of different camera angles. This then cuts to Holmes replying by saying “Well, we have no time to waste. Is there?” And soon after a gunshot can be see and another extreme long shot establishes his location (houses of parliament) whilst he is diving into the river Thames.

Then the inter-titles of the production companies appear in the theme of the film. At the end of the orchestral climax. This establishes the main part of the trailer.

An establishing shot shows the houses of parliament over London bridge. An asynchronous sound of a testimony of the antagonist, matched with a close up his face.

“It does make a considerable difference to me having someone whom I can thoroughly rely on.” This refers to his partner Watson. Who a zoomed close up reveals what he looks like.

When they meet, an increase of volume of the non dietetic soundtrack increases, this signals the anticipation of action from Holmes and Watson’s colaboration.

In-between the fight scene between Holmes and a boxer, Watson is pointing out his frustrations about Holmes’ ways. This shows that even though they are effective working together, they still aren't the best of friends.

After another fight scene, this time with a female. Watson proclaims “Doe’s your depravity know no bounds?” in which he replies “no”.

The tempo of the non diegetic music begins to increase and the actors starring in the film are shown with annotations.

The soundtrack momentarily stops for a comical scene to be shown. And continues to show the remaining action unfold

And with an explosion, the diegetic soundtrack climaxes and is followed by Holmes saying “Watson, what have you done?”

This is followed by the continuation of the non diegetic soundtrack and the beginning of intertitles, which spell the title of the film.

The film ends on a comical note, with a scene of Holmes tied to a bed naked and the pun “Madam, you need to remain calm and trust me I’m a professional, but beneath this pillow lies the key to my release” and the titles follow.