Use of Mise-en-scene in the two scenes of Kill Bill

The first scene begins with a low-angle shot from the Bride's perspective which shows the status and power of the adversary. Non-diegetic western music plays in the background and works in combination with the fear in her eyes, to create a tense and slightly solemn vibe.

The close up coffin shot shows how restricted her movement is by the coffin by showing her trying to struggle but unable to. As the stakes are hammered into the coffin, we are reminded of how helpless the Bride is by her diegetic screams and gasps. The diagetic sound of the nails represents her heartbeat beating and boosting the sound creates a distressing mood. The non-diegetic western funeral music stops with the last diegetic stake, which is an effect known as synchronous.

The black and white colours inside of the box show her discomfort and hostility to being in a coffin.

This is followed by a crane shot to re-establish her buried location. When all sounds stop you hear a van driving away, this shows to the bride that all hope is lost and her death is impending.

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The 'mise en scène' of the resurgence scene is different. The box seems bigger, there is more colour and it seems brighter. This change of atmosphere signifies hope. It also gives her more power as the use of a high angle shot from the bottom of her feet displays.

The non-diegetic also changes to a more triumphant, justice like music which is synchronous with the punching of the coffin. The Bride's facial expression and  bloody knuckles shows how determined she is to get out of the coffin. With the non-diegetic sounds and the expressions of encouragement make the viewer want to spur the bride on. Her heartbeat is also slow as shown by the non-diegetic heartbeat sound that is synchronous with the music.

After punching through the wood, the Bride pushes her fist through the solid ground which is very effective in showing her feeling of success. However, this isn’t one of Tarantino’s finer moments of directing, as it seems he almost creates a superhero atmosphere with the sound and the clenched fist of the bride. This turns the rawness and emotion from when the bride is punching the box, to the viewers ending the scene in laughter at how unrealistic the escape of the coffin is.