Corpse Bride (Burton and Johnson, 2005) is possibly one of my favourite stop-motion films alongside one of my favourite films Tim Burton has directed. As inspiration is drawn from 17th century Jewish folklore, titled ‘The Finger’ (although Burton denied any ties to those roots). The inspiration from folklore is also clear within the aesthetic of the film with Tim Burton’s dark and whimsical style, making him a clear partaker in the auteur theory. The film produced by Laika has gone on to produce many more films, all with similar styles and aesthetic such as Coraline (Selick, 2009) and Kubo and the Two Strings (Knight, 2016) these three films hold visual similarities highlighting the aesthetic power of the production company. This film will always hold a special place in my heart, with Emily being my chosen Halloween costume this year.

Part of the reason Corpse Bride is such a beautiful film is the contrast between the land of the living and that of the dead. We assume the living will be filled with joy and happiness and that the world of the dead will be a complete juxtaposition to this! But to our surprise it is exactly the opposite, the colour palette of the living is incredibly muted and full of different shades of grey, whereas the palette within the underworld, although there is still dark colours in use there is vibrant purple and green lighting, and the people themselves are a light blue allowing them to perfectly stand out from the dark backgrounds. This use of juxtaposition highlights the emotional tone of the film showcasing the constraints of the living verses the haunting beauty and freedom of the dead.

The constraints of the living can also be attributed to social constructs of the time, this is showcased from the beginning of the film as it opens with characters singing about Victor and Victoria’s arranged marriage. As the film is set in 17th century Britain there is nothing strange about this marriage as it will raise the social class of Victor’s family, whilst also saving Victoria’s family from certain poverty. Their difference within social class can further be found within the use of costume, Victoria’s elegant attire significantly contrasts with Victor’s more modern clothing, this emphasises the visual divide between their two worlds. The use of clothing to represent class is further found in Emily’s costume, although she wears torn garments her high class can still be seen, Emily’s ethereal ghostly appearance represents the idea of beauty found within decay, allowing her to transcend social boundaries.

Love and connection are also incredibly significant themes within Corpse Bride as it is represented within multiple facets, the idea of romantic love is possibly most prominent. Victor and Victoria’s relationship and the emotional development that occurs throughout the film is example of this, as at the beginning of the film it is driven by societies expectations and that of their parents rather than real passion. Contrastingly, Emily’s repeated unrequited love is present throughout the film, her attraction and love for Victor creates a stark contrast to the love Victoria and Victor share. Emily’s desire for acceptance highlights the underlying theme of longing. Furthermore, Emily’s situation showcases the idea that love can leave lasting scars that shapes ones identity and desires.

The use of stop-motion animation within this film is beautiful, the majority of the film is created with physical models while objects such as groups of birds and butterflies were created with the use of CGI. The mixed media approach helps create the desired end result. Burton’s character design helps create the desired whimsical effect as the characters detailed designs help reflect their individual personalities. Emily’s doll holds an ethereal looking highlighting the fact she is dead while Victor’s more grounded appearance showcases his attachment to the living world. The set design is also example of this whimsical aesthetic, as they feature elaborate gothic landscapes. As each set was built to scale allowing an immersive environment complementing the story.