Narrative Migration from Music to Film: A Study on the Cross-Media Function of Leitmotif in Rebecca and Once Upon a Time in America

Abstract

The leitmotif, a musical device, functions as a cross-media narrative strategy in cinema. This paper explores how leitmotif is applied in cinematic storytelling through Alfred Hitchcock’s classic psychological thriller Rebecca and Sergio Leone’s epic film Once Upon a Time in America. Given the discussion on recurring visual motifs, musical theme variations, and audiovisual narrative techniques and other leitmotif’s symbolic manifestations in both films, it is found how this device reveals character psychology, advances plotlines, and intensifies thematic connotations.