1967 |
BEDAZZLED
SYMBOLISM
Color symbolism: Color is one of the symbols we have discussed already (the Devil and red and black – often seen paired as Satanic colors).
Colors alone and in combination often take on different meanings. Colors like phonemes may or may not have meaning on there own but may alone or in combination. Primary colors have associations: red=danger; green=envy, yellow=cowardice; white=purity, blue=faithfulness etc. Red and greed indicate Christmas, not danger and envy. In triples you can find red white and blue meaning the USA not danger purity and faithfulness although the colors may have been chosen for that reason.
Numbers
Numbers also have symbols associated with them and there is a whole field of numerology to show that! Many cultures have numbers which seem to be used regularly – e.g. three for much of the West (trinity, three wishes, three charms, three bears, etc.), 4 for many American Indian cultures (4 directions).
Seven is a lucky number in general (craps) and also 7th son of a 7th son, For our purposes here 7 deadly sins (lust, sloth, gluttony, envy, anger, averice, greed)
Having produced seven deadly sins, seven virtues followed, although as usual, they seem less interesting than the sins!
Like several of the previous films, this is a contract with the devil story.
He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon. The Devil is “treacherous”, but again has appealing characteristics.
The film stars and is written by Dudley Moore (Arthur) and Peter Cook (Beyond the Fringe, Black Adder). It was directed by Stanley Donan who also directed Damn Yankees. Peter Cook and Dudley more known for their irreverent humor.
There is a remake of this film with Brendon Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley. Interestingly enough the gender switch is only on the Devil. One wonders why they didn’t make the film with a male Devil and a female who wanted the wishes.
AFTER THE FILM
The film is, in a sense a set of stories: each “incarnation” being a different one. The film is the most theological of the bunch – in terms of its approach to the relationship between God and the Devil. What is the relationship? What is the relationship then between God, the Devil and humans? What are the implications of the “game” to humans (i.e. they are the pawns in the battle)
How does the Devil appear? What are is his physical characteristics? What is his personality like? What markers appear to mark him as Beelzebub? (cape) What comments does he make about “traditionalism”
Donan seems to have an affinity for Devil films. How is the Devil in this film like or unlike the one in Damn Yankees? (Damn Yankees Devil more childish, throws temper tantrums, etc. Bedazzled’s Devil is conflict with God.
Unlike Damn Yankees the plot revolves around a man trying to “catch” a woman. In Damn Yankees, Lola is the Devil’s helper who tries (unsuccessfully) to seduce a man
How does the film reflect on religion as a whole rather than just on Satan?
The film has a number of visual jokes in it. What does the devil do during the scenes where he talks to Stanley?
There are also a number of verbal jokes which aer based on puns (feet/feat), which were common in the Cook materials on T.V.
Film technique: The Devil and Stanley are equated, and isolaed: consider the early scenes in Stanley's apartment when the Devil and Stanley are isolated and surrounded by frames. STanley is isolated on earth, the Devil in heaven.
Is God playing the same kind of games with the Devil that the Devil is playing with Stanley?
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