1. 1991 Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte & Jessica Lange
Directed by Martin Scorsese
CAPE FEAR

2. Frame 1
The sound of
falling rain in The movie opens
the with a Universal
background ident. However,
adds to the the image is
gloomy subverted and
atmosphere of presented in a
the initial shot gloomy blue
colour.
The image also
appears as if
underwater.
This links to a
prominent
location in the
movie

3. Frame 2
Although this shot is taken from the title sequence it still helps to develop the
atmosphere of dread in the opening sequence. The reflection of a shadowy and
menacing figure is presented atop a backdrop of calm, lightly rippling water. This
juxtaposition of the calm with the violent lies at the core of the movie. There is a
reflection of an eagle which is a bird of prey which could be a connotation of hunting.

4. Frame 3
The camera
slowly zooms The girl is
out, stopping dressed in
at a mid-shot white carrying
of a girl in her connotations of
late innocence and
teens/early purity.
twenties.
The dialogue
She is the speaks of the
archetypal enjoyment the
This scene creates
victim of the young girl has
uncertainty in the viewer
genre. experienced in a
as its overwhelmingly
positive tone is a marked “magical” place,
contrast to what is to the inaptly
come. named “Cape
Fear”

5. Frame 4 The movie
opens with an
establishing
Cady’s wall shot showing
is covered Cady’s prison
in pictures cell.
of historical
figures, mar
tyrs and
super
heroes. The
choice of
images
suggests he
respects
absolute The camera
The clip features
power & gradually
bombastic, gloomy
aggression zooms out to
orchestral Music
and feels reveal the
creating a sense of
that he has scope of his
foreboding/
been obsession.
anticipation of bad
mistreated.
things to come

6. Frame 5
The fact he is in
good physical The tattoo shows
condition that he feels he
indicates the didn’t get either
menacing figure the truth or
and people justice so he must
should be bring this equality
intimidated by upon himself.
him.
The mind of this
character is The audience could feel
warped by the safe, as the bars are in the
idea of justice foreground which shows
and law shown how he is separated from
by the you and his back is to the
decorations. camera and he has a
concealed identity.

7. The prisoner officer calls
his name so this shows he
The idea that his body is covered in
is well known and
Frame 6 notorious and usually the
other cell mates will jeer
these tattoos makes him seem
menacing and scary however the way
he has them positioned and how they
as they exit but for him
He is being are symmetrical on his body show
they don’t which really
released from they have a strict relevance in his life.
makes you understand
his cell which
how intimidating he is.
is like
releasing a
villain back
into the
community
and removing
the protection
the audience
had.
The books he leaves behind shows that
he had been engrossed in them so The facial expression he has on his face
much that they no longer are makes him look very serious and that he has
Relevant which really comes across something to do immediately as he rushes
that he has studied them in depth. out of the cell and walks out without smiling
and showing any emotion.

8. There is no sunshine only dark
Frame 7 clouds and grey skies which indicate
how times will be bad from now on
and that a storm is brewing and it
He walks away at a swift pace showing determination
will be striking soon.
and how he is in a rush to get somewhere, when he is
asked if anyone is picking him up he walks out alone
really indicating how he is on his own from everyone
else.
The giant thunder cloud over head As he is walking away from the
really makes the audience feel that prison it shows how he is
he (Cade) is like a bolt of lightening leaving one thing behind him
waiting to be struck. Building to begin a new stage of his life.
tension until he is released.

9. There is half a side of darkness and half a side of light
and inbetween is the head of the criminal which
Frame 8 shows how one side is happy and this could indicate
truth whilst the other is gloomy which could be a
The facial expression is serious not a connotation of danger or justice and inbetween is
slight hint of emotion but you feel the Cade and how he is the cause of this danger and how
tension of the moment. he will disrupt the good, happy times.
The character is very close up to the He has walked and as he has been
camera which tries to make you walking he has walked in one
scared and intimidated by him and direction straight for the camera
his figure, the way he looks into the which really indicates how he is
camera really contacts the audience. walking toward the audience and is
coming for you!

10. Frame 9 The cameras point of view is from the
The house is brightly lit by the bushes so it looks like someone is
natural source of the sun which watching the house from a distance.
shows happiness upon this house.
The shadows are casted around the The house looks very posh which
house and it looks like the darkness is indicates wealth in the household.
approaching the house.