Classic Scene: Prom Queen

“Prom Queen”

Carrie (1976)

directed by Brian DePalma

The Scene: The dream once thought impossible has come true for shy and bullied Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) she now stands as Prom Queen alongside her crush Tommy (William Katt). As she basks in the supposed adoration of her classmates something is wrong and Sue (Amy Irving) is the first to spot it as all of this has been a scheme for Carrie’s tormentors to pull the ultimate act of cruelty on the troubled girl. Above her head is a bucket filled with pig’s blood that Chris and Billy (Nancy Allen and John Travolta) empty onto her head. Humiliated and with her mother’s words “they’re all going to laugh at you” echoing through her head, Carrie finally unleashes the onslaught of the telekinetic powers she has spent the movie harnessing. Trapping everyone inside the gymnasium, Carrie took control of the fire hose to torment her fellow high schoolers eventually sparking a fire in the building. Covered in blood as her tormentors burned, a catatonic Carrie calmly leaves to further carry out her vengeance

The Breakdown: Brian DePalma is one of those filmmakers who has an instantly recognizable style that he brings to every film he makes. Often these are used by the Phantom of the Paradise director to crank up the suspense and leave the audience uneasy. There is a heavy use of color and uncomfortable close-ups and camera angles. Split screen is even brought into the film as a means to truly capture the scope of damage throughout the scene.

Best Bit: Sissy Spacek’s silently powerful performance in this scene created one of the most iconic visuals in movie history. Coated in blood with fury in her wide eyes she is nothing short of a force of nature.