Rosemary

            Rosemary's Baby is considered one of the best horror films of all time. Although it doesn't use shock techniques, the mood of the film remains disturbing. The director of the film, Roman Polanski, guides us through the film suggesting that the story is going to involve a loving couple expecting a baby. However, the film slowly progresses into suspense with the aid of structural components, such as the use of space, tonal and color compositions, and foreshadowing throughout the film. The suspense and horror of the film is extremely effective. Most horror films that originated from the late 1960's relied on setting and location, not to mention darkness and shadow. In Rosemary's Baby, the setting and location are generally well lit, although there are exceptions during dramatic sequences. It is a completely homey, relaxed, normal setting which makes the horror even more unsettling because when it appears, it seems so out of place. .
             The mood of the film is first established by hearing a women's voice singing a lull-a-by while there is a long open panning shot of downtown Manhattan. During the opening credits, the camera moves downward, changes direction, and tracks backward over an apartment building rooftop. From an aerial shot, the camera moves downward to reveal Guy and Rosemary Woodhouse, a young couple whom are the main characters of the film. The characters are at the apartment building seeking to rent an apartment previously occupied by an elderly woman, Mrs. Gardenia. As they are viewing the apartment, the camera moves throughout the residence allowing the audience to see its many areas containing massive amounts of space. The use of space plays an intricate party in executing suspense. There is a contrast between hallway and open-rooms throughout the apartment. As always, the hallways appeared narrower and extremely long creating a huge sense of depth while the rooms, such as the living-quarters, appeared wide and flat.