No crying in the rain - where's Disney?

[Elanor]

Originally Posted by Encaitare

Well, when a character dies, strangely enough, I rather like it if it's bright and sunny -- it's a cruel twist of irony. Anyone ever read the Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane? Not the best book I've ever read, but it had some really good themes, one of which was how nature can be so beautiful while people spill blood in its midst.

Excuse me butting in - haven't posted in many a long time, but this caught my eye.

I was recently watching the DVD of Doctor Zhivago, and listening to the commentary. There was a point made that either David Lean or Nic Roeg (who was involved in the cinematography) had been very keen to contrast the weather and lighting conditions with the action. This results in the bloody battle scenes being shot in bright sunlight, with beautiful light playing off the cornfields and the trees; and the love scenes being filmed in dull, grey light, sometimes with rain.

I believe that the contrast makes it all the more poignant. Boromir's death in bright sunlight worked really well, and I think it can become very trite if characters die, and sad scenes take place in the rain. (Although it is possible to go the too far in that way entirely, and have a happy moment take place in pouring rain, which characters then claim not to notice, à la Four Weddings... *shudder*)