Riders to the Sea Movie Review Script Analysis

Introduction

The play 'Riders to the Sea' is recognized as a classic that reflects the Irish Literary Renaissance. The simplicity of its tragic plot and its characters' distinctive language make it one of a kind.

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The conflict in this drama is related to the mother's fear of losing her son because of the trauma she experiences with the Sea. As the family's matron, he attempts to prevent her sons from being swallowed by the Sea but fails in doing so. Another conflict involves a battle between people and nature. As observed in the pay, the Sea provides a representation of nature and is all-powerful. The humans, on the other hand, helpless in its clutches.

The play is set in Small Island off the West of Ireland. It is known as Aran Island. It is first performed in 1904, a little earlier than in the midday towards evening. During this time in history, Ireland was still struggling for or around issues of independence.

The story's setting is as supportive as the thematic issues expressed in the play because it relays the relationship between the conflict and the setting. The mother's fear of losing her son in the drama forms a critical aspect. The play could not take place in a different environment. It is a symbolic play in the sense that it involves a story about this family and the whole one. Thus, it engages the reader with questions surrounding how forces such as the historical changes and grief affect individuals. The Sea forms a significant aspect in the play because of the dependence that the families have on it.

The main character in the play is Maurya, who is an older woman with her three children. The story focuses on her from the beginning until the end. She had lost six sons, her husband, and her father-in-law. Because of the traumatic experiences she has had with the Sea, she is afraid of losing them. Based on the possibility of changing and transforming into different characters, Maurya is a dynamic character based on the fact that she prohibited her son from going and uttering unlucky words towards him. The, however, changes and agrees to her son's pleas. She even goes ahead to give Bartney her blessings in line with Cathleen's suggestions.

The Island setting tremendously supports the scenic environment to support the theme of the play. The overall shape of the scenic environment is circular. Ideally, it is made up of an island within the Sea, a significant symbol, and the representation of both the giver and taker of life of the islanders.

There is a tremendous relationship between the performers and the audience. The performers in the play represent the islanders who believed that the sea tides referred to birth. On the other hand, the declining tides referred to death.

The Sea in the play is highly symbolic because it plays a vital role. It is the source of livelihood for the helpless islanders. However, it also causes unexpected and unavoidable loss of life. If it were to be performed, the scenic environment would fit the theatre depending on the said theatre's building pattern.

The outside environment plays a significant role in film production. Notably, the outside environment implies the audience, their perception and views towards the overall aspects and theme of the film. Their views greatly influence.

Individuals in the play world, which created the scenic environment, include Brian Desmond Hurst, Patrick Kirwan, John Millington Synge, and Wolfgang Wilhelm. These individuals are involved in the production and development of the scenarios and film adaptations. Not only does this generates a fascinating scenic environment, but it also one that interests the audience.

Dramatic Inventory

Title of the Play, Playwright: The Rider to the Sea written by Brian Desmond Hurt

When written, time and place first produced- 1904 but produced in 1935

Literary Period: Irish Literary Renaissance

Genre: Drama

Notes on the Playwright- Brian Desmond Hurt was born in February 1895 and died on 26th September 1986. He is considered Ireland's most prolific film director during the 20th century. Hurt was born in a working-class and attended prestigious schools situated East of Belfast. His career within the film industry began when he moved to Hollywood, where he quickly rose from the set artwork to film production. He is widely credited for producing many films that are globally recognized throughout the industry.

Notes found in the text- Men's role in the story is challenging because play cannot proceed well without men's significant contribution. Therefore, the play has succeeded in creating a universal drama that symbolizes death and life in the presence of the Sea. In this case, the Sea is undeniably an elemental power against which the characters of the play can strive. It is a grim force that positively contradicts the play's human characters to achieve a heroic identity.

Pivotal dramatic moments:

• Maurya's husband and all but one son have been lost to the see
• Nora talks to the Pries
• Bartley observes whether a boat is leaving so that he can get the opportunity to sell horses.
• Presentation Style: The climax is reached when Bartley's body is brought back to the cottage.
• Central Themes: Obedience to our parents and let go to get a better future.
• Items to be researched on: Scenic environment
• Questions to ask the director: What has been your biggest challenge in the production the film and how did you overcome it?

Designer Concept Statement

A closer look at the play would reveal that the Riders to the Sea is a complex family life story. The play is tremendously interesting because it portrays different elements and sides of the family based on the fact that family life still depends on the men's efforts within their families. In my view, this is an extremely outdated life of the family, especially when the men cannot do anything to their families, such as earning money for eating and other needs of the family. To generate a scenic environment that will incorporate all these elements, I will consider setting up the film during the golden hour, which is approximately within sunrise hours. Notably, the lights during this time are incredibly soft and generate dark shadows and contrasts, which will automatically add to a more flattering book overall, particularly the faces. Regarding the characters and the thematic issues outlined, lousy lighting is too bright. It will make the subject, as in the play, squint, thereby establishing a sharp, unflattering contrast between the shadows and light on the subjects' faces.

References

Hurst, B. D. 2015, February 10). Riders to the Sea (1935) Re-Mastered, [Video] YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNvc9mA20TA