Bullitt Mood

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From beginning to end, 1968 movie Bullitt seems to have music that is indicating what is happening in the movie very well. Throughout the movie, there is both source and underscoring music. Both, the source and underscoring music play an important role in setting moods and guiding the emotions of the audience. The popular music style of jazz is what is generally played throughout the movie, and it seems to bode well with what is happening. The music that is played in this film establishes the mood and even effects the roles of the main characters. The mood of the music during the movie is generally consistent but it keeps the audience engaged because it feels as if something is always happening. The music in Bullitt fits well with the …show more content…

In the scene where the killers are tipped on where to find Jonny Ross in the hospital, the underscoring music that is played in the background establishes a mood of urgency. The music in this scene does a great job in building up suspense and tells the audience that some excitement is going to occur. Shortly after Bullitt beings looking for the murder in the hospital, the music slows down to a mellow pace but still insists that action is just around the corner. Then, instantly the music instantly speeds up to a rapid pace that cues Bullitt spotting the killer and begins running after him. Just prior to the infamous car chase in the film, the music played builds suspense and anticipation for a minute or two. It tells the audience that something important and exciting is going to happen. Once the music in the background builds up enough and has the audience feeling anxious, the car chase …show more content…

The characteristic bass and the low-key music for Bullitt is stylish but also has energy, just like the main character Bullitt. In the scene where Bullitt is all alone shopping for groceries, the background music is a jazz tone that seems to show that Bullitt needs to listen to no one but himself in order resolve the case. The immediate next scene shows that Bullitt moves Jonny Ross from the hospital and will not tell anyone on Jonny Ross’ location, not even his captain. The underscoring music that is played suggests that although Bullitt is only a detective in the case, that the case is basically his. The character Jonny Ross also seems to be effected by the music. Just prior to Jonny Ross’s brutal injury, he selects a high-energy song from the radio and plays it at high volume while a detective is on the phone with Bullitt. By him doing so makes him seem as if he feels carefree and that he is in no serious danger. When Ross was instructed to back away from the door he instead unlocks it like he is not worried about his safety. Moments later he is brutally shot with a shotgun and is seriously injured and rushed to the hospital. The song on the radio just after the time of the shooting is soft and slow and seems as if it cues the serious injury of Jonny

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