Fairytaleandfolkloric horrorhas long been a popular sub-genre.
Theres something about blending mystical whimsy with a major scare factor that audiences and artists just love.
This marriage of fables and horror has been around longer than one might expect.
Image by Federico Napoli
A silent film,Barbe-Bleuerelies heavily on visual storytelling to convey the plot.
Set against gorgeous set designs, the violence and tragedy of the story really pops.
To help the ghost wives appear as true poltergeists, they appear on-screen through a technique called dissolving.
Almost every horror film owes something to Dr. Another effect is used for the Devil’s many appearances.
When the Devil springs out of a book, he grows triple his size.
This is achieved through a technique known as substitution splicing, or an early form of stop-motion.
Meliesis credited with having created this trick.
WatchingBarbe-Bleuetoday, the obviousness of thebehind-the-scenes editingonly adds to the atmosphere of the film.
It feels over-the-top and dramatic, like any good fairytale.
Despite the black and white film, one can practically see the gold and jewels glittering.
The sets feel like a peek into a real, operational castle.
These opulent rooms match the costumes, with even the servants dressed to the nines.
A group of servants carries a champagne bottle bigger than all of them combined.
This comedic moment winks at the gluttony of Blue Beard better than the man’s finely staged rooms do.
Without any dialogue given, the audience is well aware of Blue Beards status in the world.
He might as well be a king, and this position immediately puts his wives at a disadvantage.
The Devil and the ghosts are eerie-looking, but its this shocking and realistic violence that unnerves the audience.
In modern horror, folklore and fables are an incredibly popular sub-genre.
Stream Barbe-Bleue on YouTube
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