Cape Fear Opening Analysis

Questions that are relevant to a thriller film: Cape Fear

Questions

Why is there water?

Why is there an eagle?

Who face is it?

Why has the water turned red?

Who is the girl?Why does she say the words “crashing in?”

Who is in the photos?

Why is he in jail?

Why are the officers or other prisoners scared of him?

Water – Suggests drowning, setting, cannot see what is in the water (fear of the unknown)

Bird – Eagle, a predator – This may suggest that Cody is a hunter like the eagle

Sound – Thunder, sinister music, also menacing Images – Eye, teeth face, body, Black & white cannot see

completelyColour – Water turns red – red can mean evil, dangerousGirl – Wearing school uniform – Looks smart, top button

is done up (could suggest she is innocent and pure)Images – Famous historical figures – All killers and rulers

(could suggest his inspirations)Music- Sinister music (builds tension)

Images – Tattoo – The scales of justice hanging from a cross (could suggest that he feels justice has been taken

from him)Setting – Thunder as Cady leaves jail

Cady – He is doing ‘dips’ in the first scene when we see him; he has a lot of books which shows he is educated

and a lot of tattoos on his arms suggesting he hard.Cady also looks like he has more power than the police

officer when he is walking out also all the other prisoners do not shout a word at him which could show

that he is either respected or feared.

Opening CreditsOpening Scene and Credits;

Credits - Setting – In water, suggesting a river/lake- This could suggest that the film takes place near a river/lake and that the water is a main scene/setting throughout the film.Costume – The young girls outfit shows that she is still in school; her top button is done up and she doesn’t have obvious make up on which could suggest she is innocent and pure.Lighting – Low key, suggests that there could be something in the darkness, and could also portray tension and danger to the audience, making us unaware of what's to come and we are eager to keep watching.

CinematographyEditing – Images in the background have been shown in the water. These images could foreshadow the events to come. These may also be symbolic prop and/or places which may be relevant later on in the film. Sound – There is a sinister, almost menacing sound track, there is also a small amount of dialogue. This creates tension and builds suspense in the minds of the audience. This also makes the audience want to carry on watching the film and see what happens.Narrative • Why is there water?• Why is there an eagle?• Whose face is it?• Why has the water turned red?• Who was the girl? “crashing in”• Why is this soundtrack being used?

RepresentationThe young girl’s costume is a school uniform, with little makeup and with a smart hair cut; this is to show the audience that this character is an intelligent, innocent young girl who takes pride in her appearance.

Her top button on her shirt is also done up, this makes her look smart and could suggest that she goes to a good school. The colour of her shirt is white. The connotations associated with this colour is purity, innocence and vulnerability. Therefore, we think that she is the protagonist and immediately care for her and think that she will become the victim to events to come.

Editing

Montage - The opening credits are a series of images which foreshadow the events and props throughout with a sinister theme tune playing in a the back ground.This makes the audience question why the images in the montage are being used and also the music creates tension and creates a dramatic atmosphere.

Mise en Scene

Setting: - The setting for the credits is on a lake/river which suggests that the film is based around/to do with the water. The water is also not clear which suggests that you cannot see what is in it, creating an fear of the unknowing. Lighting - The lighting for the credits is low lighting and pure.Costume - The young girl is wearing a school uniform which has the top button done up suggesting that she is pure and innocent.Make up - The young girl has natural make up on suggesting that she is innocent and obeys by the rules.

Opening sceneMise en scene -Setting: In jail, which makes the audience question why is this man in jail.Props: In the jail cell, there are books which suggests that the prisoner (Cady) is well educated. There also pictures of historical figures on the wall; these historical figures are all people who have earned power through violence which suggests something about Cady.Lighting - Non-verbal communication: We are introduced to Cady as he is doing exercise in his cell which shows off his tattoos and lets the audience view that he is not a small or weak man; there is no communication by any of the police men or other prisoners to Cady has he is being taken out of his cell which suggests that he has a lot of respect from them or that they fear him. Costume/make up- Cady starts of by wearing a prisoners outfit however when he leaves jail he is just wearing normal clothes; however he has a lot of tattoos covering his body.

Representation Cady is introduced to the audience in a jail cell doing exercise and allowing the audience to see that he is not a weak man as he has a lot of muscles and a lot of tattoos which gives a of ‘bad boy’ image. The first tattoo you see is the tattoo of the scales of justice, the scales are balanced; this shows that he is doing to get revenge and make the scales even. The props that are in Cady cells are books and photos of historical figures who have all gained power through violence, this shows that audience that Cady is an educated man.None of the other prisoners or guards say anything to Cady has he leaves the prison, this shows fear and respect which also says more about the character.

Music

There is dramatic and sinister soundtrack throughout the opening scene, it creates tension and a dramatic atmosphere and it also shows that Cady has a lot of power.As Cady leaves the prison there is a non-diegetic sound for the thunder to create a more dangerous atmosphere. There is also a cutaway as Cady walks straight to the camera which shows he isn't afraid to be out of prison.

I think Cape Fear has a really good opening scene and credits for the thriller as it makes the audience ask questions about the film the whole way through; it is a really dramatic opening and it makes the audience wonder a lot about the two characters that you see who are very different from each other and it also creates tension which will make the audience more interested and will make them want to continue to watch the rest of the film.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoO0ZsQ7tBg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQqo-w1qvws