Difference between revisions of "MacGuffin"
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| − | MacGuffin: | + | [[MacGuffin]]: |
| − | The item around which the action of a story revolves. Termed by, I believe, Alfred Hitchcock, or at least popularized by said filmmaker. Example: the sword "Green Destiny" was the MacGuffin in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. | + | The item around which the action of a story revolves. Termed by, I believe, Alfred Hitchcock, or at least popularized by said filmmaker. Example: the sword "Green Destiny" was the [[MacGuffin]] in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. |
=== Comments === | === Comments === | ||
| − | Another classic MacGuffin is the Ring from the Lord of the Rings series. <br>--BrilliantRain | + | Another classic [[MacGuffin]] is the Ring from the Lord of the Rings series. <br>--[[BrilliantRain]] |
| − | Other well-known MacGuffins are the Maltese Falcon or the letters of passage from Casablanca. -[[Ben-San]] | + | Other well-known [[MacGuffins]] are the Maltese Falcon or the letters of passage from Casablanca. -[[Ben-San]] |
| − | Although not universal, an important element of the MacGuffin is the idea that it's important ''just because it is'' -- not because it necessarily has any utility, per se. The Maltese Falcon is an excellent example of this. -- AntiVehicleRocket | + | Although not universal, an important element of the [[MacGuffin]] is the idea that it's important ''just because it is'' -- not because it necessarily has any utility, per se. The Maltese Falcon is an excellent example of this. -- [[AntiVehicleRocket]] |
| − | Often, the MacGuffin isn't even explained, like the mysterous contents of the briefcases in ''Pulp Fiction'' and ''Ronin''. - [[Wordman]] | + | Often, the [[MacGuffin]] isn't even explained, like the mysterous contents of the briefcases in ''Pulp Fiction'' and ''Ronin''. - [[Wordman]] |
Latest revision as of 01:17, 6 April 2010
MacGuffin: The item around which the action of a story revolves. Termed by, I believe, Alfred Hitchcock, or at least popularized by said filmmaker. Example: the sword "Green Destiny" was the MacGuffin in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Comments
Another classic MacGuffin is the Ring from the Lord of the Rings series.
--BrilliantRain
Other well-known MacGuffins are the Maltese Falcon or the letters of passage from Casablanca. -Ben-San
Although not universal, an important element of the MacGuffin is the idea that it's important just because it is -- not because it necessarily has any utility, per se. The Maltese Falcon is an excellent example of this. -- AntiVehicleRocket
Often, the MacGuffin isn't even explained, like the mysterous contents of the briefcases in Pulp Fiction and Ronin. - Wordman
