Cape Fear Analysis

In the opening credits of the film a dark background with muted colours such as browns and blacks, connotes morbid thoughts of death, darkness and evil. This is contrasted by overlay the white font of the credits which fades in and out of the frames. The use of the rippling water connotes feeling of the unknown and depth. The high pitched non diegetic sound track of a string based orchestra builds tension with the audience, it leaves people on edge and leads them to expect something bad.

The use of the clip with the bird of prey suggests there will be a victim and villain. And as an audience we should suspect danger. The soundtrack also deepens in tone and becomes louder when the clip fades on to the screen.

When the main title of the film ’Cape Fear’ shows on the screen the soundtrack heightens again and in the lead up to the reveal of the title the soundtrack volume increase and becomes more high pitch. There is more depth to the music which adds drama to the film.

In the close up of the eye we see it darting left and right, as if the person is in danger or anxious, as if something bad is about to happen. And in combination

Cape Fear Analysis

with the sinister soundtrack and dark colour scheme it creates a feeling of mystery for the audience.

Inserts of a silhouette and a man twitching and moving in a demonic way build tension and suggest a dire and twisted insight on what to expect in the movie. As well as in the other ones when these inserts are shown the non-diegetic soundtrack heightens and becomes louder.

The drip of blood then turns the whole screen red. The connotation of the colour red infers danger, blood, stop etc. all related to bad things. Also the colour of the screen changes when the director’s name appears which suggests significance and the change of

the colour makes people pay attention to the director (the most important person in the film). And brings people attention back to the credits that have already created tension and mystery by being on for 2:30 minutes already.

A reverse zoom goes from a close up of her eyes out to a mid-shot. Her costume suggests an innocent school girl due to the collared shirt and neat appearance. She seems comfortable in the dark misty background which infers she may be bad or in on something bad.