Camera angles in North by Northwest VS Goodfellas

In media we have been watching North by Northwest and our main focus was the camera shots and how they were used to create an effect on the audience. Our task was to find another thriller that we were able to compare to North by Northwest and see if they used camera angles to create the same effect as one and other. 

North by Northwest is an action thriller that was very popular in the late 1950s and 1960s. Goodfellas is an crime action thriller that was made in the 1990s. Both films make use of camera shots such as;

• Close ups
• Point of view
• High angle
• Low angle

In North by Northwest, they make use of close ups to show the emotions that the characters are feeling for example there was a scene in the film where Eve Kendall felt like she had betrayed Thornhill; 

From this image, we are able to see that the close up of Eves face shows that she is worried or ashamed at what shes done. This makes the audience have a mixed feeling of hated and sympathy towards her. By using close ups, it allows us to really be able to look into their eyes and see the detail of their eyes whether they are tearful to create an upsetting and emotional atmosphere or squinting to show confusion in the character. 

Another close up used in the film is when Eve is hanging on to the cliff during the Mt. Rushmore scene. The close up is able to show us the fear and desperation for help in her eyes. The close up makes the audience feel sad and sympathetic towards her as she is scared and wants immediate help but can't get it because they're in danger. From Eves facial expression we can see the desperation for help and how shes calling for it which makes the scene more intense as we don't know whether or not she can hold on. The camera is also focused on her and the background is blurred which implies that if she falls she is falling into the unknown. 

Similarly in Goodfellas, they use a close up shot to also show the emotion in Henrys face when his family found out he betrayed his wife. 

From the close up, we are able to see that Henry feels ashamed and embarrassed by what he has done, The close up allows us to see that from his eyes, he has been destroyed by the usage of drugs and the tears building up indicate to us he is trying to hold back his emotions but is slowly starting to give up and let them out. The use of the close up creates a sympathetic atmosphere towards him as he is stuck and doesn't know what to do with himself anymore. He has let down his loved ones and now he is feeling abandon and alone.


Both films have been able to make the audience feel the emotions of the characters by using the close up camera shot, the audience are able to almost engage with the emotions of the character which leads to them feeling sympathy for them. 

The next angle used in North by Northwest is the High angle shot. The high angle shot is used to make the character look smaller and indicate they have less power. In North by Northwest the high angle shot is used to make Thornhill smaller than he is;

From this high angle shot we are able to see that Thornhill is helpless and has no control over the situation as he is forced into being intoxicated by the two men. His face expressions show fear and curiosity as he doesn't know what he is going to do, the shot also shows how he is belittled which can create a sympathetic effect from the audience as they are worried of what might happen to him.




In Goodfellas, the high angle shot is used for the same reason, to show the reduction of power that the character has. In Goodfellas, the high angle shot shows the reduction of Henry's power when his wife holds a gun to his face whilst he is laying down. The camera is able to indicate to us the difficult situation he is in and how he is powerless to stop it. 

From the high angle shot, we are able to see the lack of power Henry has and how the control is completely out of his hands. His facial expressions indicate confusion as he doesn't know why his wife would put him in a life threatening situation like this. The angled shot also shows how belittled he has become as a result of the wife having the possession of a weapon in her hands. This makes the audience feel worried for him as they don't quite know how the situation will end.



Overall both films make use of the high angle shot to indicate the danger that both characters are in. The angle also creates similar effects for the audience in terms of them both feeling worried and also having some sort of sympathy towards them.


The third shot commonly used in the two thrillers is the low angle shot, this shot is used to indicate the power that one of the character has in the film. In North by Northwest this shot was used to show the power that Phillip Vandamm had.

From this shot we can see that Vandamm and his co-worker are higher in power comared to Thornhill in this situation. Vandamms facial expressions show cockiness as he knows he has all the power in the current situation which will lead to him feeling confident. This will create a spiteful and hatred kind of atmosphere from the audience as they aren't too keen on him and don't like his attitude. Vandamm looks comfortable and relaxed as he knows what he is doing.

Both films use the low angle to show that a certain character is of a higher authority and creates a hatred type of atmosphere towards the character as they're both putting the other characters in a dangerous position.


In Goodfellas the also use the camera angle to show that the character has higher status. The low angle in Goodfellas shows that Karren has the power as she is the one holding the gun. She also looks directly into the camer to make the audience feel as if they're in Henrys dangerous position.

From this angle, we can tell Karen is of a higher level of power mainly due to the fact she is armed with a dangerous weapon. Her face expressions are a mixture of fear as she doesn't look as if she is comfortable holding the gun but on the other hand shows seriousness. This creates an intense atmosphere as the audience don't know what to expect from her as she doesn't look sure herself. 

Overall both films use the low angle shot to indicate that the character holds more power which leads to the audience disliking them.


Finally, both films use point of view shots. In North by Northwest the point of view shot is used to make the audience feel as if they're involved in the dangerous situation that Thornhill is in when he is being chased;

The point of view shot shows what Thornhill can see infront of him when he is being chased, in this case it is the road. The point of view shot indicates the danger Thornhill is in as he is driving down a dark road whilst intoxicated. This makes the audience feel worried for him as they don't know what will happen to him

In Goodfelas the point of view shot is used in order to show what Henry sees and the danger he is in;

From this shot, the audience will feel as if they are in Henrys situation which makes the audience feel scared and worried. The shot shows the gun and how it is held close to him which indicates he may die very quickly.

Overall both films use the point of view angle to put the audience in the situation of the character which creates an intense and worried atmosphere.