Over-Analyze This: A Deep Dive Into Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master' Trailer

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by Cory Everett
July 21, 2012 9:37 AM
21 Comments

Color & Sound
We were wrong when we said that the first thing you probably noticed in the trailer was the focus on Phoenix’s character, because the first thing that anyone is likely to notice watching the clip is the truly breathtaking cinematography by Mihai Malaimare. The colors pop in this thing unlike anything we’ve seen since the Technicolor era, which is perfect for the 1950s-set film. Anderson’s fans may have been concerned initially that DP Robert Elswit -- who had shot all 5 of his previous features -- would not be returning, but clearly those worries were unfounded. Though Malaimare’s work until now has primarily been shooting digitally for Francis Ford Coppola, “The Master” will reportedly utilize a mix of 65mm and 35mm film. And to be completely fair, Malaimare's work in Coppola's "Tetro" was stunning regardless of the format.

65mm is a high resolution film format used by epics like “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Lawrence of Arabia” and is the predecessor of the 70mm IMAX format (which loads horizontally like most film reels, instead of vertically like 65mm). The rumors of shooting in the large format were confirmed months ago when Anderson sent an image of the 65mm negative to Cigs & Vines to tease his fans, though we’re still not sure what the percentage split is. We’re still unsure on the aspect ratio of the picture, as the trailers have all been released in 1.85:1 while all his previous features have been in 2:35:1 but we suppose the taller format might suit the period better. Fans have already picked up on a few possible homages -- the aforementioned “Melvin And Howard,” Freddie hanging freely over the edge of the ship recalls a similar shot in Antonioni’s “The Passenger,” etc. -- but we’re sure like his previous work, this will be something all his own.

As long as we’re diving deep, Xixax, a PTA-focused message board, also pointed out that the name of the ship (glimpsed at the :45 mark in the trailer) is the Aletheia, which is a Greek word translated variously as “unclosedness,” “unconcealedness,” “disclosure” or “truth.” The literal meaning of the word is “the state of not being hidden; the state of being evident” and it also implies sincerity as well as factuality or reality. The font it's written in also appears to be the same font as the film’s title on the poster. The music at the beginning of the trailer is Jonny Greenwood employing another unsettling piece of original music while the back half of the trailer utilizes Jo Stafford’s 1950 hit “No Other Love.”

Basically, if seeing the words “Written and Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson” after all these years didn’t give you a little buzz at the end, we’re not sure what to tell you. For us, it was 2 minutes and 37 seconds of cinematic bliss and October 12th can’t come soon enough. We’re sure there will be lots more to talk about once the film starts to unspool -- there have been rumors of Venice, NYFF or an Austin bow and also rumors that it will skip the fall film festival route completely -- and we can’t wait to get into it. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments.

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More: Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master

21 Comments

| Reply
rudy | July 22, 2012 12:59 AMReply

that shot of JP with the gun in the room reminds me of Martin Sheen drunk in the opening of Apocalypse Now
PcChongor | July 21, 2012 9:56 PMReply

1. Pause at :52 on the trailer.

2. Then go here: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/wakefield/christians.html

3. Search for the term, "a gift."

4. ???

5. Another reference bites the dust.
TXT | July 22, 2012 1:04 AM

Yes, nice. Look as well at the first of The Factors -- "the Cause" (ie the name of Lancaster Dodd's group in The Master). Perhaps this little list caught PTA's attention when researching
TYLER | July 21, 2012 10:10 PM

Nice Find...
Macbeth | July 21, 2012 6:04 PMReply

Top Ten Signs You Might Be Feverish

1. You use the word "feverous."
RickMycroft | July 21, 2012 4:28 PMReply

Hubbard did ride motorcycles in the desert.
BJT | July 22, 2012 2:36 AM

So would I, if I lived close enough. Apropos to nothing
lilhuxtable | July 21, 2012 5:59 PM

So did Burt Munro.
TYLER | July 21, 2012 4:46 PM

Yes, he did.... So did Howard Hughes.
wut | July 21, 2012 2:51 PMReply

terrible article, 3 pages and says absolutely nothing. just a promo. this is why I hate bloggers.
Derek | July 21, 2012 12:56 PMReply

"a few acres of land" and no offense, but straining for credit on the title seems a big stretch.
TYLER | July 21, 2012 12:24 PMReply

@Russ... Thank you, sir. But please back off a bit with the compliments, My girlfriend will not like that. But thanks anyways...

Have a nice day.
Kindred Spirit | July 21, 2012 12:03 PMReply

Freddy on the boat... is that possibly also a Gulliver's Travels homage?
TYLER | July 21, 2012 11:55 AMReply

@ Russ... Calm down Russy, I pointed out the "Melvin and Howard" reference and also the name of the song used in the trailer. Yes, you mentioned the Passenger, but I presented VISUAL EVIDENCE. But whatever bro, this is like dumbest thing to argue about. SERIOUSLY.

Now moving on.....
dookie | August 11, 2012 12:24 PM

thanks bud for the ban saves me from having to skim through you're trash on xaixx, pussy.
polly | July 24, 2012 4:42 PM

bro
russ | July 21, 2012 12:11 PM

visual evidence huh well why would i need to do that when i was right my man. yeah but thanks for all you visual evidence. you sir are hardcore.
Mert | July 21, 2012 11:53 AMReply

You guys didn't miss anything, however the aspect ratio if utilised in it's original format would be 2.20:1

Also I'd like the point out that the camera used for The Master is not the same camera used in films like '2001: A Space Odyssey' & 'Lawrence of Arabia' which is the Super Panavision 70.
The Master actually uses Panavision System 65/Super 70, which was introduced in the early 1990s, in response to an increased demand for 65 mm cameras. Panavision introduced an updated line of 65 mm cameras and optics known as "Panavision System 65" or "Panavision Super 70", designed to compete with the rival Arri 765 camera. However, the lack of 70 mm projectors, combined with the fact that 35 mm digital stereo sound somewhat minimized the multi-channel sound advantage the 70 mm format had, meant that the format revival never really took off.

Movies that have use the Panavision System 65 made in the 90's, include Ron Howard's Far & Away, Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet. However it's mainly used for special effects shots, it was used in Inception for sfx. Scorsese also used it for a hyper-reality sequence in Shutter Island (it's used in the night dream scene in the Concentration Camp train yard, where it is snowing and the bodies are piled together, frozen)
TYLER | July 21, 2012 11:46 AMReply

I pointed out the name of the song, and also the "Melvin and Howard" and "the passenger" references on "CigsandRedvines" before everybody else... So I guess, you were referring to me when you wrote:

"Fans have already picked up on a few possible homages -- the aforementioned âMelvin And Howard,â Freddie hanging freely over the edge of the ship recalls a similar shot in Antonioniâs âThe Passenger,â etc. -- but weâre sure like his previous work, this will be something all his own."

Lol.... Great article. Can't wait for October 12.
Ted | July 21, 2012 11:22 AMReply

Fantastic write-up. I was looking for the Jo Stafford song and greatly appreciate you tracking it down.
russ | July 21, 2012 11:51 AM

no you didn't mention the passenger connect ty ty that was me yesterday. you just youtubed the trailer and said "annoying chuckle" "i guess you was right"