Silence of the lambs opening sequence analysis

1. +
Silence of the lambs opening
sequence analysis.
Sam Witheridge

2. +
Mise-En-Scene
• The use of location in the opening
sequence is a woods/forest. This
creates the feeling of the girl
being alone and exposed which
makes the viewer feel fear
towards her because she is
vulnerable.
• Also the use of a forest at the
location at the start creates the
sense of unknown and fear
because it is misty. This means
we cant see what she is running
towards creating the sense of
uncertainty.
• The use of costume in the
sequence, such as the FBI man
showing his job role by his hat,
shows us he has authority in this
situation as he is telling the girl to
go back to camp.

3. +
Camera Work
• The use of a close up of the girl when
she is running shows the audience
her determination and that she is
strong, which challenges the usual
stereotype of a teenage girl. The use
of the titles being big and bold could
also represent her personality in the
opening sequence.
• Also another close up is used of her
feet, also when she is running which
could suggest her nervousness
because it seems like she is running
away from someone, which creates a
tense atmosphere.
• The use of an establishing shot is
used when she reaches the army
camp, this introduces the audience to
where she is and gives us the sense
that she is actually a strong girl who is
now safe instead on being alone.

4. +
Editing
• Firstly, the use of a long shot taken at
the start of the sequence suggest to
the audience she is weak and
struggling. As she is getting out of the
water, she looks tired which makes
the audience think she has been
injured in some way. Stereotypically
teenage girls are normally seen as
weak and innocent which is why the
viewer might think in this way.
• An eye line match is used when the
girl is looking at the pictures of the
dead man. This is used because it
shows the pictures importance at this
time, and suggest to us the girl is
intelligent as she is trying to figure
out what has happened.
• Continuity editing is used when she
is running through the words, this
keeps the viewer alert, and in fear for
the girl as it makes us expect
something is going to happen.

5. +
Sound
• Firstly, when she is running through
the woods her footsteps on the leaves
are emphasized, which builds up a bit
of tension as it makes the audience
expect something to happen to her.
• Also, the music that is used during
the time when she is running stops
when she reaches camp. This could
suggest that she is safe now as she is
not alone.
• There is an emotional track used
when the girl sees the pictures on the
wall of the killing scene. This makes
us sympathies with her, and feels
emotional towards the pictures.
• Lastly, sound effects are used to build
suspense when she is running
through the woods. One example is
the brushing of leaves which could
suggest someone might be following
her.