About The Big Shave

Directed by Martin Scorsese, The Big Shave is a 1967 film widely interpreted as a metaphor for the Vietnam War and noted for its graphic depiction of a man intentionally and relentlessly slashing his face while shaving. The six-minute short shows a man in a sterile, white lavatory beginning a shave, proceeding to repeatedly shave his face, nicking himself, and then continuing until conditions worsen into bloody, disturbing violence.

Making / Production

Filmed on 16mm, The Big Shave is one of Scorsese's early works, produced during his time at New York University. The film has been applauded for its metaphorical message and Scorsese's usage of the camera, as well as his use of a crimson filter to accentuate the colour of the blood.

Actors

• Peter Bernuth: Playing the role of the 'Man', Bernuth delivered a harrowing performance, showcasing the degradation of the man’s psyche through a simple, everyday act.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was originally titled Viet '67, reinforcing the connection to the Vietnam War.
• The Big Shave has also been referred to as the "bloodletting film" due to its brutal finish.
• Despite the graphic nature of the film, the blood used was actually Hershey syrup.

Quotes

• "Get your shave the best a man can get." - This line can be heard playing in the background radio illustrating the counter-irony between the advertisement and the violent reality.

Music, Soundtrack

• 'I Can't Get Started' by Bunny Berigan: The drown-out sound of this 1930s jazz standard sets an eerily calm atmosphere amidst the increasing fear and horror of the visuals.