Cape fear opening analysis

Cape Fear Opening AnalysisCape Fear Opening Analysis By Joe

Cuthbert

The opening scene starts with a close up shot of a young girls eyes. Throughout the title sequence eyes constantly appear hinting that, eyes are a crucial factor to the film. The fact that the shot is so close suggests to the audience that the eyes of this young girl have seen something leaving a mysterious atmosphere to the

first shot. Eyes and watching are a common theme belonging to thrillers films and backed up by the non diegetic music it allows the audience to understand the

genre of film that “Cape Fear” is. Finally this shot also is an underlying message of the basic storyline, of being watched and stalked which is a common connotation

of eyes.

Time: 10 seconds

The camera slowly pans out to reveal a young girl in a white dress. The fact the character is so young instantly allows the audience to

understand she is a figure of innocence and vulnerability. This is also show by the fact she wears a white dress which has connotations of innocence. Also the fact that a glistening water effect is what make

sup the majority of the background once again reinforces the theme of water being significant in the film.

Time: 15 seconds

Time: 12 seconds

Once the girl is finished talking a black screen is all that is seen by the audience creating a mysterious atmosphere to the opening. The first

images the audience witnesses are unique and disturbing paintings such as Jesus on a crucifix and the dictator Joseph Stalin. This hints to the

audience that whoever these belong to have a very dark side to there personalities. There are also many books within the room (such as the

bible) suggesting this is also an intelligent person. The combination of a sinister, intelligent and twisted person pictures a perfect potential serial killer character for the viewer. The audience gather that this is a sinister

place as the non diegetic dramatic music enforces a scary daunting atmosphere.

Time: 25 seconds

The next shot is after the camera slowly pans out from the wall which shows(through a wide shot) a muscular man doing pull-ups in what appear to be a prison cell(shown by the simplicity and bars). The main character has a distinctive tattoo on his back, of the scales of justice. This hints to the audience that the character has a strong moral basis, however the dark colours and disturbing feel may suggest his morals may not follow the usual social conventions. The fact that he is exercising and is well built also suggest he is preparing for something, creating questions and adding tension to the scene following a typical thriller opening.

Time: 21 seconds

The scene then turns into Max Cady (the main tattooed character) being allowed to leave the jail, obviously it is the end of his prison sentence. The body language shown by Cady, by walking in front of the guard as if he is leading him shows he is feared and has authority over someone who should be in charge. The lack of diegetic sound such as the silence of the prisoners also creates a suspenseful feel to the scene as it goes

against the stereotype of prisoners being loud and rowdy. Once again it suggests he is feared and no one will mock him showing his power and position in the prison. The use

of this sounds creates a tenseful scene fitting typical thriller conventions. Finally the way the prison guard holds the door for the mysterious prisoner once again backs up he is respected and feared even by those who have more power then him. The use of this making the character having great authority allows the viewer to get a sense that

he is going to be a main and feared character through the film.

Time: 20 seconds

The prisoner instantly walks out of the prison with no hesitation appearing in a wide shot as he leaves the jail. The background is especially significant in this scene as it is of a brewing storm that is trailing Cady. This is a use of pathetic fallacy to set an atmosphere to the scene as common conations of a storm are anger, violence and formidable force, all which mirror Cadys inner thoughts. This suggests to the audience that the prisoner is not walking out to enjoy the freedom he now owns but instead is on a mission, yet to be discovered by the audience, once again creating mystery in the scene. This dark, violent and daunting setting fits the common themes of a thriller opening reinforcing the genre of a film. The way in which props are used also adds tension to the scene as the freighting prison wire is now behind the character showing clearly how nothing is in his way now.

Overall Evaluation of Cape Fear Opening

I believe that the opening of Cape fear achieves presenting the common conventions of a thriller film. Through the effective use of mis en scene, sound, cinematography and editing a creepy and thrilling atmosphere is created which allows the viewer to be instantly drawn into the film. The opening also accomplishes a baseline for the story without hardly any dialogue which builds a lot of tension for the following scene as many questions are created. I believe the producers and directors of the opening wanted to create an Eerie, creepy and scary opening for the audience which in my personal opinion was defiantly accomplished.