Cape Fear Opening Analysis

In this screen grab of the opening sequence we see an eagle superimposed over water. This suggests that the main antagonist is a hunter and a killer just like the eagle hunting for its prey. An eagle is a predator, this is a pre cursor to the film and has a hint of foreshadowing.

Cape Fear Opening Analysis

The fragmented text of this screen grab is a example of things to come as after Cady is released he is a fragmented character himself. Also this screen grab shows murky water this triggers an innate primal fear within us of the unknown.

Cape Fear Opening Analysis

In this screen grab we see blood dripping down the screen and eventually immerses the whole screen, obviously blood has certain connotations one of which being death as in spilt blood.

Cape Fear Opening Analysis

Cape Fear Opening AnalysisIn this screen grab we see a young school girl. Which is very unusual considering the opening credits. We know she is a school girl because of her hair not being done, no make up but most crucially of all she has her top button done up on her blouse, connotations of school girls are innocent, impressionable and good.

Cape Fear Opening AnalysisIn this screen grab the camera pans down Cady’s showing pictures of dictators such as Stalin and Mussolini this shows Cady is an educated man which goes against the conventions of a prisoner as we expect a prisoner to be an uneducated moron who resorts to violence. This also shows he is evil, as most people think that Stalin and Mussolini are evil. So strait away we know that Cady is going to be the antagonist.

When Cady is released the prison is in complete silence this hints at a certain amount of respect for Cady highlighting the fact that he has been inside for a long time. And the stereotype of prison suggest the most feared is the most respected.

Cape Fear Opening Analysis

In this screen grab we see the weather change as Cady leaves this is has a hint of pathetic fallacy where the weather changes to suit the mood. The fact that Cady is alone and no one is there to greet him and celebrate his release this shows his solitude. All he does is walk into the camera in an ominous fashion suggesting he has power.

Cape Fear Opening Analysis