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Siren Movie Shot

Rose descending into the Otherworld as the siren blares in the distance.

The siren serves as a constant warning "system" of the horrifying transition from the Real World or Fog World to the Otherworld in the Silent Hill series.

Symbolism[]

In a real-world context, sirens warned people of impending troubles. With more peaceful times, most sirens serve as a civil warning system, such as in the case of an approaching natural disaster. Fire departments also use air-raid sirens in the case of fires or serious accidents.

Faint

Alessa after the fire.

It is theorized that, as Alessa Gillespie was pulled from the fire, the sirens of rescue vehicles and ambulances wailing around her (or the air-raids of the Fire Department during the fire) became a connection to this "initial point" of her suffering, later integrating the sound into her painful memories and emotions.

As with much of the symbolism, it's possible these sounds have snaked their way into the Silent Hill series, as each time the siren wails, the darkness comes forth to take over Silent Hill and transform it into the Otherworld, or inverse as it "ends" the current nightmare.

Appearances[]

Silent Hill siren
SH3Radio
The siren in Silent Hill

Silent Hill[]

  • Alleyway - The siren is first heard as Harry Mason enters an alleyway where he is confronted with pure horror at the beginning of the game.
  • Midwich Elementary School - The sound is heard while Harry enters the Clock Tower of the playground. When he exits the clock tower, the school has turned into the Otherworld. After the defeat of the Split Head, the siren rings out as Harry comes back to the Fog World.
  • Alchemilla Hospital - During Harry's first conversation with Lisa Garland, the siren sounds and Harry loses consciousness.
  • Green Lion Antiques - Harry again hears the siren when he visits the "other church" hidden in the store. Because of a strange conversation he has with Lisa just before, Harry thinks he is hallucinating.
  • Central Silent Hill - Shortly after Harry speaks with Lisa Garland to learn how to access the lake, Harry has to kill the Floatstinger at the top of the Post Office in front of Alchemilla Hospital. After this battle, the siren is heard again.
  • Resort Area - As Harry crosses the Sandford Street bridge, the siren is heard for the last time in the game. Harry experiences a much worse world shift and nearly loses his consciousness, but he manages to stay on his feet and witnesses the deepest transition to the Otherworld, before Nowhere.

Silent Hill 2[]

Silent Hill 2 siren
SH3Radio
The siren in Silent Hill 2
  • Blue Creek Apartments - In the battle against Pyramid Head in an old water-logged stairwell, James Sunderland hears the siren in the final few seconds. Pyramid Head leaves during the long wailing note, and opens James's path to the other side of the blocked street, where he meets Laura.
  • Brookhaven Hospital - After the battle against Flesh Lip, the siren rings out once more. James collapses and is transported to the Otherworld version of Brookhaven Hospital.

Silent Hill: Origins[]

Chronologically speaking, this is the first time the siren is heard. After Travis Grady saves Alessa from the fire in the Gillespie house, he collapses outside; at the same time, emergency sirens can be heard and seconds later the typical civil defense siren-sound starts, probably to warn the inhabitants of Silent Hill of the spreading fire that later destroys six houses in the business district of Central Silent Hill. Later, it appears each time Travis sees Alessa.

Silent Hill: Homecoming[]

Silent_Hill_Homecoming_Siren

Silent Hill Homecoming Siren

The siren in Homecoming.

During each transition to the Otherworld (excluding Hell Descent in Dr. Fitch's office and Overlook Penitentiary), the baleful sound of the early warning system rises in pitch to be cut out at its apex, when the world shifts over.

Later on, it is revealed that the sound is actually reminiscent of an electroconvulsive therapy machine powering up; this is only revealed if the player obtains the "Hospital" ending.

Silent Hill: The Arcade[]

Silent_Hill_The_Arcade_Scene_4

Silent Hill The Arcade Scene 4

The boat siren in The Arcade.

Here, the siren is actually a boat siren, as a nod to Hanna's memories of the Little Baroness.

Sinner's Reward[]

The siren is used by Sara Linwood to induce a flashback-like scene for Jack Stanton. In the scene, he relives the murders of Sara and her parents.

Silent Hill: Downpour[]

In Downpour, Murphy Pendleton accidentally sets fire to a restaurant and activates the sprinkler system to extinguish the fire. This triggers an alarm and it is transported into the Otherworld. The siren can be heard briefly in St. Maria's Monastery when trying to walk over the wooden plank.

Additionally, sirens of patrol vehicles can be heard around the town.

The siren is also heard in some certain places that are already in the Otherworld's presence, most notably in the Centennial Building Otherworld.

Silent Hill film[]

Silent Hill film siren
SH3Radio
The siren in the film
SH Movie Siren

The alarm sound generator as seen in the film.

The siren is back in Silent Hill, West Virginia, playing its staple role in the movie to warn both the remaining inhabitants of the town, as well as Rose Da Silva, of the coming Darkness.

Its hollow tones reverberates from its central sound generator atop the church in Silent Hill.

Silent Hill: Revelation[]

The siren is heard in Silent Hill: Revelation only once, contrary to the original film, after the conversation between Heather and Dahlia.

Silent Hill: Ascension[]

Silent_Hill_Ascension_Siren_EP_4

Silent Hill Ascension Siren EP 4

The siren in Silent Hill: Ascension.

The siren can be heard in episode 4 of Silent Hill: Ascension, when Toby Cirelli visits the Steel Mill at the request of Xavier Candless.


Trivia[]

  • Though it is thought that Valtiel may be the being that is in charge of the shift between the worlds, the siren sound is absent in Silent Hill 3.
  • The game Siren (also known as Forbidden Siren in some countries) features an imaginary village named Hanuda, where after an inadvertently interrupted ritual, a siren is heard all over the town similarly to what happens in Silent Hill, transforming the world into a nightmare and summoning the inhabitants of the town to immerse themselves into the sea, where they turn into deadly monsters. The connection with the siren from Silent Hill is even clearer as the creator of Siren is Keiichiro Toyama, creative director of Silent Hill.
  • H.O.R. Siro-Drone the same siren that is heard in the film can also be heard in The Mist.
  • The sirens heard in the first game and Origins are British WW2 Sirens (most likely a gents siren). The siren in the film is a DS Pakita Siren or KM Europ Siren, infamously heard in Kyiv during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
  • The siren from the first game can be heard for real in a historical context in civil defence bulletin number 5.[1]
  • In an early version of the film's screenplay, the siren was going to go through the entire Otherworld experience. A man was supposed to be seen turning on and off the siren inside the church.[citation needed]
  • The origin of the siren came from a Public Film released in the 1970's called Protect and Survive: Causalities. The siren can be heard when the narrator is talking about the warnings, precisely heard as the "Attack Warning."[2]
  • The siren from the first game was used as a sample in Frankie Goes To Hollywood's song "Two Tribes" and was used in multiple mixes. The sound be heard Clearly in the Annihilation Mix.[3]
v · e · d
Characters
Major Characters
Harry Mason - Cheryl Mason - Alessa Gillespie - Dahlia Gillespie - Lisa Garland - Cybil Bennett - Michael Kaufmann
Other Characters
Jodie Mason - Heather Mason - K. Gordon - Greys - Norman Young
Monsters
Air Screamer - Bloodsucker - Creeper - Floatstinger - Grey Child - Groaner - Hanged Scratcher - Incubator - Incubus - Larval Stalker - Mumbler - Night Flutter - Parasite - Monster Cybil - Puppet Doctor - Puppet Nurse - Romper - Split Head - Stalker - Twinfeeler - Wormhead
Weapons
Chainsaw - Handgun - Hyper Blaster - Katana - Knife - Pipe - Rifle - Rock Drill - Shotgun - Hammer - Axe
Locations
Old Silent Hill (Balkan Church - Cafe 5to2 - Dog House - Hell Gas Station - Levin Street - Midwich Elementary School - Orridge Bridge Control Room - Queen Burger) - Central Silent Hill (Alchemilla Hospital - Gillespie House - Green Lion Antiques - Silent Hill Police Station - Silent Hill Town Center) - Sewers - Resort Area (Annie's Bar - Boat - Indian Runner - Lighthouse - Norman's Motel) - Lakeside Amusement Park - Nowhere - Toluca Lake
Terms
Flashlight - Fog World - God - Map - Metatron - Monster - Otherworld - Paradise - PTV - Radio - Real World - Siren - The Order - Manifestation - Seal of Metatron - UFO Ending
Archives
Items - Keys - Memos - Puzzles - Soundtrack - Secrets and Unlockables
v · e · d
Characters
Major Characters
James Sunderland - Mary Shepherd-Sunderland - Angela Orosco - Laura - Eddie Dombrowski - Maria
Other Characters
Ernest Baldwin - Amy Baldwin - Mary's Doctor - Rachel - Thomas Orosco - Mrs. Orosco - Jennifer Carroll - Patrick Chester - Mira - Harry Mason - Greys - Scott Fairbanks - Walter Sullivan
Monsters
Abstract Daddy - Bubble Head Nurse - Creeper - Flesh Lip - Lying Figure - Mandarin - Mannequin - Mary - Prisoners - Pyramid Head
Weapons
Chainsaw - Chinese Cleaver - Great Knife - Great Spear - Handgun - Hyper Spray - Pipe - Revolver - Rifle - Shotgun - Wooden Plank
Locations
Baldwin Mansion - Blue Creek Apartments - Brookhaven Hospital - Church of the Rebirth - Dog House - Heaven's Night - Jacks Inn - Labyrinth - Lakeview Hotel - Lake Shore Restaurant - Neely's Bar - Motor Home - Observation Deck - Pete's Bowl-O-Rama - Rosewater Park - Silent Hill Historical Society - Silent Hill Ranch - Silent Hill Woods - South Vale (Carroll Street - Katz Street - Lindsey Street - Nathan Avenue - Neely Street - Rendell Street - Saul Street - Vachss Road - Wiltse Road) - Texxon Gas - Toluca Graveyard - Toluca Lake - Toluca Lake Island - Toluca Prison - Wiltse Coal Mine - Wood Side Apartments
Terms
Flashlight - Fog World - Little Baroness - Manifestation - Map - Monster - Otherworld - Radio - Red Square - Siren - Seal of Metatron - UFO Ending - Sexuality - Toilets
Archives
Memos - Items - Keys - Puzzles - Soundtrack - Secrets and Unlockables - Pachislot
v · e · d
Characters
Major Characters
Travis Grady - Richard Grady - Helen Grady - Alessa Gillespie - Dahlia Gillespie - Michael Kaufmann - Lisa Garland
Other Characters
Harry Mason - Jodie Mason - Cheryl Mason - Mira - Greys
Monsters
Alessa's Dream - Ariel - Butcher - Caliban - Carrion - Faceless Nurse - Momma - Remnant - Sad Daddy - Straightjacket - Two-Back
Weapons
Alcohol Bottle - Baton - Broken Pole - Crate - Drip Stand - Fire Axe - Filing Cabinet - Great Cleaver - Hammer - Handgun - Hand-to-Hand - Iron Weights - Jagged Wood - Katana - Knife - Light Stand - Meat Cleaver - Meat Gaff - Meat Hook - Moon Gauntlets - Pitchfork - Poker - Pool Cue - Portable TV - Razor - Revolver - Rifle - Scalpel - Screwdriver - Shotgun - Shovel - Spear - Tesla Rifle - Tire Iron - Toaster - Toolbox - Typewriter - Wrench
Locations
Alchemilla Hospital - Andy's Books - Artaud Theater - Cedar Grove Sanitarium - Central Silent Hill - General Store - Gillespie House - Green Lion Antiques - Greenfield Apartments - Lumber Yard - Nowhere - Public Records Office - Riverside Motel - The Family Butcher
Terms
Flashlight - Fog World - Map - Mirror - Monster - Otherworld - Radio - Real World - Siren - The Order - Manifestation - UFO Ending - Welcome Sign - Sexuality - Halo of the Sun
Archives
Items - Puzzles - Soundtrack - Secrets and Unlockables
v · e · d
Characters
Main Characters
Alex Shepherd - Joshua Shepherd - Elle Holloway - James Wheeler - Margaret Holloway - Curtis Ackers
Other Characters
Adam Shepherd - Carol Doyle - Lillian Shepherd - Nora Holloway - Sam Bartlett - Joey Bartlett - Martin Fitch - Scarlet Fitch - Travis Grady - Order Soldier - Nash - Robbie the Rabbit
Families
Bartlett Family - Fitch Family - Holloway Family - Shepherd Family
Monsters
Amnion - Asphyxia - Bogeyman - Feral - Lurker - Needler - Nurse - Scarlet - Schism - Sepulcher - Siam - Smog - Swarm
Weapons
12 Gauge Shotgun - BlueSteel Shotgun - Chrome Hammer Pistol - Ceremonial Dagger - Circular Saw - Combat Knife - Crowbar - Fire Axe - Laser Pistol - M14 Assault Rifle - Mk 23 Handgun - Police Marksman Rifle - Pulaski Axe - Steel Pipe
Locations
Alchemilla Hospital - Central Silent Hill - Church of the Holy Way - Dargento Cemetery - Dr. Fitch's Office - Grand Hotel - Hell Descent - Koontz Limited - Lair - Overlook Penitentiary - Rose Heights Cemetery - Salvage Yard - Sewers of Shepherd's Glen - Shepherd House - Shepherd's Glen - Shepherd's Glen Town Hall - Shepherd's Glen Police Station - Silent Hill Docks - Toluca Lake - Toluca Lake Offices - Toluca Lake Water and Power - Toluca River - Dog House
Terms
Bogeyman Knife - Flashlight - Fog World - Map - Monster - Otherworld - Real World - Siren - The Order - Walkie Talkie - Manifestation - UFO Ending - Great Knife - Welcome Sign - Sexuality - Halo of the Sun
Archives
Keys - Puzzles - Soundtrack - Secrets and Unlockables - Items - Memos
v · e · d
Characters
Major Characters
Murphy Pendleton - Charlie Pendleton - Carol Pendleton - Anne Marie Cunningham - Howard Blackwood - John P. Sater - Patrick Napier - Frank Coleridge - George Sewell - Bobby Ricks - Nun
Other Characters
Sanchez - Homer - M. Koons - Bryan Handley - Ariadne Johnson - Melissa Matlan - Glen Milton - Ricky - Daniel Stephens - Chloe Zane - Mary Shepherd-Sunderland - James Sunderland - Laura - Heather Mason
Weapons
Baseball Bat - Bogeyman's Hammer - Bottle - Brick - Chair - Colt - Crowbar - Demon Statue - Double Headed Axe - Fire Axe - Fire Extinguisher - Fork - Frying Pan - Golden Gun - Golf Club - Hammer - Handle - Hand-to-Hand - Hatchet - Ladder Hook - Knife - Lamp - Meat Cleaver - Nailgun - Pickaxe - Pitchfork - Plank - Rake - Rifle - Rock - Shotgun - Shovel - Steel Pipe - Vase - Wrench - Tomahawk
Monsters
Bogeyman - Doll (Shadow) - Monocle Man - Nurse - Prisoner Juggernaut - Prisoner Minion - Pyramid Head - Screamer - Tormented Soul - Void - Wall Corpse - Weeping Bat - Wheelman- Bubble Head Nurse
Locations
Aerial Tram Station - Centennial Building - Chastain Heights - Chastain Heights Cinema - Devil's Pit - Devil's Pitstop - Interstate Gas Station - Hardware Store - Hillside - Logan's Park - Monroe Cemetery - Overlook Penitentiary - Pearl Creek - Pearl Creek Bank - Pleasant River - Port District - Ryall State Prison - St. Maria's Monastery - Underground Subway - Toluca Lake
Terms
Trinkets - Flashlight - Fog World - Map - Monster - Otherworld - Real World - Sidequest - Siren - Walkie-talkie - Manifestation - Seal of Metatron - Welcome Sign - Halo of the Sun
Archives
Items - Keys - Puzzles - Soundtrack - Secrets and Unlockables - Memos - Pachislot
v · e · d
Characters
Eric - Tina - Bill - Jessie - Ryan - George - Emilie Anderson - Frank Anderson - Michelle Anderson
Hanna - Lorraine - Captain - Scott Fairbanks - Greys
Monsters
Creeper - Double Head - Greedy Worm - Gum Head - Hummer - Insane Cancer - Mama - Numb Body - Nurse - Phantom - Pyramid Head - Robbie the Rabbit - Scraper - Split Worm - Toadstool - Tremer - Tuberculosis
Locations
Brookhaven Hospital - Central Square Shopping Center - Jacks Inn - Labyrinth - Lakeside Amusement Park - Silent Hill Historical Society - Spiral Staircase - Toluca Lake - Toluca Prison
Terms
Flashlight - Fog World - Little Baroness - Monster - Otherworld - Radio - Real World - Siren - Welcome Sign
v · e · d
Characters
Major Characters
Rose Da Silva - Christopher Da Silva - Cybil Bennett - Dahlia Gillespie - Thomas Gucci - Anna - Christabella - Sharon Da Silva - Alessa Gillespie - Dark Alessa
Other Characters
Sister Margaret - Eleanor - Adam - Colin - Lisa Garland - Jennifer Carroll
Monsters
Armless Man - Colin - Creeper - Dark Nurse - Grey Child - Red Pyramid
Locations
Brahms - Brookhaven Hospital - Church - Da Silva House - Gans County - Grand Hotel - Midwich Elementary School - Nathan Drugs - Pete's Bowl-O-Rama - Sacrificial Chamber - Silent Hill, West Virginia - Smitty's - Toluca County Archives - Toluca County Mining Museum - Toluca County Orphanage - Toluca Lake
Terms
The Brethren - Monster - Flashlight - Manifestation - Otherworld - Fog World - Real World - Siren - Great Knife - Welcome Sign - Brethren Symbol
Archives
Soundtrack
v · e · d
Characters
Major Characters
Heather Mason - Christopher Da Silva - Vincent Cooper - Claudia Wolf - Leonard Wolf - Dark Alessa - Douglas Cartland - Alessa Gillespie
Other Characters
Rose Da Silva - Dahlia Gillespie - Suki - Travis Grady - Order Soldier - Detective Santini - Mannequin Girl
Monsters
Armless Man - Delusion - Leonard Wolf - Lobotomy - Mannequin Monster - Memory of Alessa - Missionary - Nurse - Pyramid Head - Valtiel
Locations
All Hallows High School - Brookhaven Asylum - Central Square Shopping Center - Jacks Inn - Sanctuary - Silent Hill, West Virginia - Lakeside Amusement Park
Terms
The Brethren - Halo of the Sun - Monster - Manifestation - Otherworld - Fog World - Real World - Robbie the Rabbit - Seal of Metatron - Siren - The Order - Great Knife - Welcome Sign


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