Days+Of+Heaven


 * Film Title: Days Of Heaven **

Set in 1916, Days of Heaven tells the story of two poor lovers, Bill and Abby, as they travel to harvest crops for a wealthy farmer. Bill encourages Abby to claim the fortune of the dying farmer by tricking him into a false marriage. This results in an unstable love triangle and a series of unfortunate events. Bill wishes to live a more stable and secure life with Abby who he claims to be his sister. He is sick of the poor life so this is how he puts Abby in a situation to marry the wealthy farmer.
 * Plot: **

The characters need to stop while they are ahead. Throughout the film there are these dark and deep messages that foreshadow the future outcome of their actions. Due to tricking the farmer, a series of unfortunate events unfold.
 * Theme: **

Even though the film has the bright moments of happiness, love, and joy, there is always this message in the background from keeping the viewer getting too comfortable. As the farmer slowly uncovers the truth, many event occur to hint what is to come next.
 * Tone: **

The first non-diegetic element is the title message at the start of the movie. It does not exist in the realm of characters.
 * Non-Diegetic Element 1: **

During this scene where Abby is about to leave the girl, there is a dance class going on with a piano playing in the background. Even though that is diegetic, as the scene goes on it slowly becomes music to set tone for the scene, becoming non-diegetic.
 * Non-Diegetic Element 2: **

There is a random shot of horses and fire in the background after the farmer has died. This is to represent the tragic outcome that was bound to happen.
 * Non-Diegetic Element 3: **

At one part of the film there is an old clip of America while the little girl gives a narration. I believe this hand pointing at the statue of liberty is supposed to be Malick giving a representation of blaming America for putting its people in this situation. The situation of forcing people to go to desperate measures to get a job and such during this time.
 * Non-Diegetic Element 4: **

During the work scene, there is a shot of a furnace where they are burning coal. This shot is not at all related to the hay scene that is occurring. It could possibly represent Bill's dark past at his former job in the factory, hurting or even killing his last boss.
 * Non-Diegetic Element 5: **

The credits at the end of the film are another example of a non-diegetic element.
 * Non-Diegetic Element 6: **

Several pieces of music played throughout the film that do not include the piano scene are all non-diegetic elements.
 * Non-Diegetic Element 7: **

There are many shots of animals, wildlife, and nature. These could be seen as both diegetic and non-diegetic, as it is never really established if they are apart of the film world or not. However, they always seem to represent or symbolize something.
 * Non-Diegetic Element 8: **


 * Non-Diegetic Element 9: **


 * Non-Diegetic Element 10: **

This scene shows the rich farmer in a comfy chair as workers around him begin to work their low pay job. This shows the contrast between rich and poor, a big theme throughout the film.
 * Mise En Scene Example 1: **

In this shot there is a silhouette of a scarecrow. It is a very short shot and I believe that the director included this to symbolize that people all have a darker side to them. A dark nature.
 * Mise En Scene Example 2: **

In this shot you can see a series of poor workers and the rich farmers house in the background. Again, another contrast between the rich and poor.
 * Mise En Scene Example 3: **

In this scene the rich farmer and Abby are slowly getting to know each other. As he makes the first move, it shows how delicate and serious this relationship is going to be, especially with Bill.
 * Mise En Scene Example 4: **

In this scene we see several animals unsettled. Throughout the film nature and wildlife are used to represent the different acts of the film, this being an act to represent something unsettling about to occur.
 * Mise En Scene Example 5: **

After the scene with the unsettled animals, there is a shot of several locusts. Locusts usually represent death, so this foreshadows something darker ahead.
 * Mise En Scene Example 6: **

This shot the rich farmer is asking about Abby. It seems like he is almost asking questions about her to himself as you quite don't know who he is talking to. It is quite possible he is talking to the viewer, although we can't reply and warn him the mistake it would be to go for this woman.
 * Mise En Scene Example 7: **

In this scene we see the migrant workers all gathered together having a good time. I would say this represents that the poor only have themselves for support, and they are all one big family who must work together. This scene very much reminds me of the book "The Grapes of Wrath."
 * Mise En Scene Example 8: **

Again there is another scene of the rich farmer in an elegant seat (this time a couch) with his assistant counting his money. We see the poor in the background and this is a third time we get the theme of rich against poor.
 * Mise En Scene Example 9: **

In the film animals and nature are used to represent the different acts or foresahdow events in the film. .
 * Mise En Scene Example 10: **