Legend (Caxie Dagupen)

Plot Summary: The true story of London's most notorious gangsters, twins Reggie
and Ronnie Kray. As the brothers rise through the criminal underworld, Ronnie
advances the family business with violence and intimidation while Reggie
struggles to go to legitimate for local girl Frances Shea. In and out of prison,
Ronnie's unpredictable tendencies and the slow disintegration of Reggie's marriage
threaten to bring the brother's empire tumbling to the ground.

Genre: Biography, Crime

Production companies: Cross Creek Pictures, Working Title Films and Anton
Capital Entertainment (ACE)

Distributors: A number of distributors such as Universal pictures (USA) and Studio

Canal (UK)

1.) How is meaning being represented at connotative and denotative levels?

-

D : scenes of twins together in a car, stand, casino and restaurants

C : close relationships, always together in the good (gambling, taking pictures

and smoking) and in the bad (fighting, defending themselves in the stand)
suggesting very deep brotherly loyalty
D : a profile of the woman in her night wear in bed alone with dark shadows
over half of her face and hints of tears on her face
C : suggests some sort of depression or unhappiness but also showing her
vulnerability with her clean and pale features being exaggerated
D : an over the shoulder scene of one of the twins looking fondly at the
woman dressed in a beautiful black dress

C : suggests a romantic affair with the woman and one of the brothers, which
was emphasised by the look
- D : there are quite a few scenes where either one of the brothers stood alone i.e
walking with the car behind or walking with the house backdrop
- C : suggests isolation as they were quite successful in their venture to rule the
city of London hence they couldnt trust a lot of people. This may also suggest a
separation in their brotherhood.

2) How are non-verbal communications (gestures, facial expressions) being

used?
- During the sequences of the establishing shot of the city and the shot of the
classic car, there is a close up of Tom Hardys character with a very serious face on
and with smoke covering his face. This shows the audience what genre this is
which is Crime.
- There are also a number of close up shots of the twins facial expressions being
really angry which sets the undertones where the audience realises that a major
theme of the movie is gangster
- In addition to that, there are also some sequences of the trailer where one brother
deals with the woman delicately, such as when he danced and held the woman and
she put her head on his chest. This also directs a hint of romance throughout the
film as she comes up frequently in different areas of the teaser trailer.

3) What can we tell from the positions of the characters or objects?

- The positions of the twins in most shots are dominant compared to other
characters wherein they may be standing while the other characters are either
sitting down or are portrayed in a lower level.
- In most shots we can also see that the twins are level, suggesting their equal
power in the city of London and how no one controls the other
- We also see some shots where one of the twins are dead shot in the middle or just
off the central line, suggesting ongoing struggle to do the right thing or the bad

thing hence the unsettling position on the grid lines in the screen this is what I
gathered in my analysis with films such as Casino Royale.
- There is also one major scene that caught my eye which is when the woman was
sat in front of the mirror where the top half of her body is reflected. This suggests
reflection of her decisions maybe or her seeing herself in a different way due to her
situations it just seems like a very dramatic scene which could be very
meaningful for her character on screen.
- There is also a shot of a lot of money being thrown in a bathroom or kitchen basin
with a close up of the money, suggesting that money is a major feature in this film
hence is power as they go hand in hand specially in these kind of films

4) How has mise-en-scene, sets and setting been used?

- The first shot shown in this teaser trailer is the city a city in its late night lights in
an establishing shot, informing the audience where the film is set
- Many of the sequences were shot in darkened locations, night time and gloomy
settings, connoting very serious themes and is more towards the depressing or low
moods in life, portraying gambling, smoking and money (examples from the teaser
trailer)
- The twins are wearing very smart and expensive looking suits throughout the
teaser trailer and big heavy coats. This emphasises their gangster image,
connoting hard discipline, rigidness, masculinity and straightforwardness in
everything they did. One twin does wear some glasses, possibly for the audience to
identify which brother is Ronald and which one Reginald.
- The woman on the other hand is seen in two types of costumes; one is in her light
pink night gown showing her vulnerability and innocence with her hair undone
with very bare natural make up. However, another side is shown as she wears a
very sleek and beautiful black dress with her hair done in curls or in a 60s style
ponytail showing her confidence and beauty as she interacts with one of the
brothers.
- The costumes worn by the rest of the characters on screen are of the same level,
showing everyone in that setting or group of communication is of the same/ similar
hierarchy

- Props are used throughout the teaser trailer and are placed in the background so
they are less of a focal point. Theyre there to create the mise-en-scene of the
important settings e.g the casino, the bar, the car and the mirror table the woman
was in front of.
- Setting of high end restaurants and bars in the city (which is revealed to be
London as part of the voice over narration) portrays how rich and extravagant their
lifestyle is.
- Some shots where the car is a feature of shows up quite frequently in the teaser
trailer, suggesting a lot of communication and scenes to be done in the car or for it
to be a major part one way or another. Maybe that car is a place where the twins
are honest with each other as it might be their closed door where they can stop
performing or having to keep their hard shells this is just me speculating though
- A very short scene in the teaser trailer is when the brothers stand next to a person
and a photographer takes their picture with a vintage camera. This is something
that stood out for me because in one of my readings, I found out that the Kray
Twins were never camera shy and was known to mingle with well-known people at
time such as MPs and celebrities such as Frank Sinatra.

5) How have soundtrack, commentary and language been used?

- The song used is Running Scared by Roy Orbison and is the original version
released in March 1961, reaching the #1 billboard charts. This is directly connected
to the time the film was set and audiences can and will be able to identify with the
music which is genuine to the settings. The title itself suggests a lot about the film
and of the personality of the twins as it suggests that everyone should and is
running scared away from them. The soundtrack sets the initial tone of the teaser
trailer with a classical mood, matching the ideology tones of the settings and
characters.
- One of the twins says as part of the over voice me and my brother...Were gonna
rule London with such seriousness and undertones of menace and confidence.
This also matches the teaser trailers Subtitles when it showed witness a true story
of the twins that ruled a city.
- As part of that voice over, its a dialogue from the film, matching the sequences
that are being shown in the trailer of a shot of their pictures in a detectives board,
suggesting that they are criminals being hunted by the police or by a specific
detective (only one man was standing in front of the board)

- There is also another part of the teaser trailer where a voice in the set said these
are the Kray twins, Ronald and Reginald where the guy in the middle looks very
vulnerable compared to the two very intimidating looking gangsters behind him on
either side. This suggesting their power and effect on strangers or people they only
met
- Another thing I would have picked up on is their surname which is Kray now
used as a slang term within young people meaning crazy. This was confirmed by
the urban dictionary, explaining how the associations were made between the
brothers and the meaning due to their reckless lifestyle in the 1960s.

6) How are sound and visual techniques used to convey meaning?

- The camera is often positioned on a level with the characters (where the
characters are felt and are seen as interacting with the audience somewhat trying
to intimidate everyone in the room and the audience specially from the twins), and
through mid-shots and a series of close ups to emphasise their facial expression.
This allows the audience to often feel as though they are in the scene, allows them
to empathise with the character or encourages the audience to respond in a specific
way. An example of this would be the mid shot of Frances Shea on her bed with a
focus on her position and expression, which was very still and solemn.
- The editing of this teaser trailer goes hand in hand and keeps up with the pace of
the soundtrack as the sequences are slow to cut to the next scene, allowing the
audience to take in the content for each shot.
- Diegetic sound effects are very prominent especially at the end of the teaser
trailer as it reaches its peak. Examples of this are the subsequent sound effects
(accompanying the scenes) of the punches being given by one of the twins, the car
crashing, a woman shrieking and a gun being pointed at someone.

7) What is the iconography of the text?

- The Kray Twins in the back seats of their classical car with leather seats, smoking
their cigars in their smart suits and very expensive watches. In the background you
can see the city lights with the bustling and hustling of people, contrasting to the
twins very serious faces and demeanour. These aspects of this particular shot
stands out to the audience as it clearly defines the theme and genre of this film.

- Another iconic picture in this teaser trailer is the first fade in establishing shot of
the city of London at night where the lights look more neon, such as lights in ones
average pioneering American Film Noir.
- The sequence where Frances and Reggie looks at each other from either side of
the casino table was one to remember by the audience. The effect of their over the
shoulder shot, portrayed that Frances was only focused on Reggie but also
emphasised on the gaze the Reggie was returning. However, this was followed by
Ronnies very menacing face on top of a balcony looking angrier as he is suggested
to have been watching this particular encounter.

8) Genre? How can you tell?

- Two main genres being portrayed with some sub-genres which cannot be
prevented. Biography as its based on a true story of identical twins that were of
Jewish, Roman and Irish descent. Tom Hardy stayed true to their accents and some
features such as his nose was changed for the Kray Twins.
- We can also see that this is a Crime genre due to the fact that there are
protagonists involved who does wrong, detectives trying to stop their very
successful operations and some tragic end in their relationships.
- Due to the fact that there are also crime conventions seen in the teaser trailer such
as the setting s and props mentioned earlier; we can confidently identify that this
too is part of the crime genre.

Representation:
9) Who is being represented?
- As identical twins, they are represented as very loyal to each other but also
trouble makers as we see them in front of a burning building, being physically
violent and pointing weapons at other people in a point blank range.
- Reggie and Frances are also portrayed as a couple with a number of scenes
involving their narrative, suggesting tragedy and/or downfalls in their relationship.

10) In what way?

- Ronnie and Reggie: Sitting with each other in their car, looking very suave and
powerful. We also see either one walking confidently through the streets of London
or in the country side from a wealthy looking area of houses. Another scene is
when both of them are on either side of the shot where one of them is sat down
suggesting inferiority but is closer to the camera hence a very powerful presence.
On the other hand, the other brother is standing up with a snooker stick looking
aggressive as well but takes less of a presence of the screen. This could probably
mean that both are equally as ruthless as the other, but they have different methods
to go about it.
- Frances and Reggie: A portrayal of their first sigh I presume is included in the
teaser trailer, with them dancing together and them also kissing but all in very low
moods. In addition to that, shots of Frances alone with a very depressing
atmosphere also comes up twice. Suggesting very strongly that their relationship
was doomed from the beginning.

11) By whom?
- All the characters are represented in the ways that they are by director Brian
Helgeland who also wrote the screenplay and is trying to remake and recapture the
ruthlessness of the true to life East End London gangsters in the 1960s. Helgelans,
I believe tried to incorporate a lot of aspects that were real in terms of history
books and abiding by them. Examples of this would be the exaggeration in
physical fights as the twins nearly made pro boxing and their addiction to cameras.
In addition to that, choosing a very versatile actor that could do the job properly.

12) For what purpose?

- The characters were represented as close as they could be to the real people as the
purpose of the film was not only to entertain but to somewhat educate audiences
now of very interesting people a few decades ago of whom made it into our history
books.
- There were some modernisation of the settings and exaggeration of a few aspects
as, again, it is a film where its originally produced to make money. To be able to do
that, it has to appeal to modern audiences too hence the choices of the director to
use Tom Hardy as a unique selling point for example.

Genre:
13) What do you know about the actors, stars etc?
- Written and Directed by Brian Helgeland: Took best screenplay for L.A
Confidential (1997) which is also in the same genre as what we are planning to do
for this project. In addition to that, there was also other situations where Brian
Helgeland has worked with Tom Hardy before hence already having that
chemistry and already knowing how your actors tick
- Tom Hardy as Reggie Kray/Ron Kray: is seen as one of the best actors currently
having been known for his versatile acting, working on both stage and screen. He
has won 16 awards and had 72 nominations including a Best Actor award from
British Independent Film, only showing how hard the role was, having to play
identical twins who are written in our history books
- Emily Browning as Frances Shea - Emily Browning is a definite look alike to
Reggie Krays first wife. Their features are very distinct and identical which was
probably something that the directors wanted to stick with. This is also seen in the
portrayal of the Kray Twins and how true to behaviour and features they managed
to the real happenings at the time.

Narrative:
14) What is the narrative or the logic of the order of its component?
- Very clear, linear narrative structure with some help of the voice over and
subtitles used in the teaser trailer.
- Theyre brothers trying to rule London, a detective is trying to catch them, a
woman comes into the picture, they rob banks, act violently and get arrested

15) How have specific narrative techniques been used?

- Recurring images of the brothers, suggests that they are the main protagonists of
the film.
- Frequent images of Frances also show that some focus of the film will be on her
and her relationship is with Reggie Kray.

- Also, numerous images of money and guns are there to solidify the genre of the
film in the teaser trailer

16) How are the characters established?

- One brother seems more angry and ruthless than the other one due to the frequent
close ups and constant line on his forehead while the other brother seems more in
control of his anger and facial expressions careful not to give too much away.
- Birds eye view of Frances in her very solemn scene in her night gown suggests
that shes going to be somewhat of a helpless victim whom the audience will most
greatly empathise with.
Theorists/Theories:
17) Maslow
- Maslows hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a
five tier model of human needs, which is often depicted as hierarchal levels within
a pyramid. This levels include (from bottom to top): physiological needs, Safety
needs, belongingness and love needs, esteem needs and self actualisation. In
films, these are demonstrated through portrayal of relevant everyday life situations.
An example would be the demonstration of a persistent lack of safety from the
movie City of God (2002). On the other hand, these needs are somewhat met by
the audience as they empathise with the main character and what they are
achieving or have overcome.

18) Uses and Gratification

- This is a popular approach to understanding mass communication whereby it
focuses on the audience by asking what do people do with media rather than
what media does to people (Katz 1959). This approach suggests that people use
the media to fulfil specific gratifications, implying that the media such as film
compete against other products or sources for viewers gratification. This would
suggest that in the audiences point of view, they watch movies to be entertained,
hence should give them enjoyment and some form of escapism allowing them to
forget reality temporarily.

19) Stuart Halls Audience Reception Theory

- Developed in Birmingham University in the 1970s, this theory considers how
texts were encoded with meaning by producers and directors and then decoded by
audiences. In film, a producer would construct a film encoded with a meaning or
message(s) that he/she wishes to convey to the audience. In some instances,
audiences will correctly decode the message/meaning and understand what the
producer was trying to say. However, in other cases, the audience will either reject
or fil to correctly understand the message.

What I could take away from this teaser trailer

There is a lot of features and/ or content that I would like to incorporate to my
own teaser trailer as there are numerous of conventions and styles from Film Noir
used in the Legend teaser trailer.
- One aspect would be how they had different sides of Frances through camera
techniques and mise-en- scene. So maybe instead of having one femme fatale and
another loyal wife, we could just have one play both roles in different points of the
film as her character matures and/ or changes ; which would be hinted in the teaser
trailer. This would break the Film Noir convention of Femme Fatales and would
add a modern twist in the genre I believe- as characters and roles in film or TV
are more rounded individuals with both strengths and weaknesses.
- I also liked the pace of the teaser trailer as it was quite slow in the beginning,
matching the background music but later quickens as the shots and scenes cuts to
the next one quicker with the help of more sound effects.