The opening scene features a close-up shot of a young girl's eyes, hinting that eyes will be important in the film. It then pans out to reveal the girl in a white dress, suggesting innocence. Disturbing paintings are shown in a dark room, implying the owner has a dark side. The next shot shows a muscular man doing pull-ups in a prison cell. He has a distinctive tattoo. When he is released, he walks confidently from the prison as a storm brews in the background, setting an ominous tone and hinting he is on a mission. Overall, the opening effectively sets a creepy, thrilling atmosphere through visuals and sound to draw the viewer in without dialogue.

1. Cape Fear Opening AnalysisCape Fear Opening Analysis
By Joe Cuthbert

2.  The opening scene starts with a close up shot of a young girls eyes. Throughout the title
sequence eyes constantly appear hinting that, eyes are a crucial factor to the film. The fact
that the shot is so close suggests to the audience that the eyes of this young girl have seen
something leaving a mysterious atmosphere to the first shot. Eyes and watching are a
common theme belonging to thrillers films and backed up by the non diegetic music it allows
the audience to understand the genre of film that “Cape Fear” is. Finally this shot also is an
underlying message of the basic storyline, of being watched and stalked which is a common
connotation of eyes.
Time: 10 seconds

3. The camera slowly pans out to reveal a young girl in a white dress. The fact the
character is so young instantly allows the audience to understand she is a figure
of innocence and vulnerability. This is also show by the fact she wears a white
dress which has connotations of innocence. Also the fact that a glistening water
effect is what make sup the majority of the background once again reinforces the
theme of water being significant in the film.
Time: 15 seconds

4. Time: 12 seconds
 Once the girl is finished talking a black screen is all that is seen by the audience
creating a mysterious atmosphere to the opening. The first images the audience
witnesses are unique and disturbing paintings such as Jesus on a crucifix and the
dictator Joseph Stalin. This hints to the audience that whoever these belong to
have a very dark side to there personalities. There are also many books within the
room (such as the bible) suggesting this is also an intelligent person. The
combination of a sinister, intelligent and twisted person pictures a perfect potential
serial killer character for the viewer. The audience gather that this is a sinister
place as the non diegetic dramatic music enforces a scary daunting atmosphere.

5. Time: 25 seconds
 The next shot is after the camera slowly pans out from the wall which
shows(through a wide shot) a muscular man doing pull-ups in what appear to be a
prison cell(shown by the simplicity and bars). The main character has a distinctive
tattoo on his back, of the scales of justice. This hints to the audience that the
character has a strong moral basis, however the dark colours and disturbing feel
may suggest his morals may not follow the usual social conventions. The fact that
he is exercising and is well built also suggest he is preparing for something,
creating questions and adding tension to the scene following a typical thriller
opening.

6. Time: 21 seconds
 The scene then turns into Max Cady (the main tattooed character) being allowed to leave the jail,
obviously it is the end of his prison sentence. The body language shown by Cady, by walking in
front of the guard as if he is leading him shows he is feared and has authority over someone who
should be in charge. The lack of diegetic sound such as the silence of the prisoners also creates a
suspenseful feel to the scene as it goes against the stereotype of prisoners being loud and rowdy.
Once again it suggests he is feared and no one will mock him showing his power and position in the
prison. The use of this sounds creates a tenseful scene fitting typical thriller conventions. Finally the
way the prison guard holds the door for the mysterious prisoner once again backs up he is
respected and feared even by those who have more power then him. The use of this making the
character having great authority allows the viewer to get a sense that he is going to be a main and
feared character through the film.

7. Time: 20 seconds
The prisoner instantly walks out of the prison with no hesitation appearing in a wide shot
as he leaves the jail. The background is especially significant in this scene as it is of a
brewing storm that is trailing Cady. This is a use of pathetic fallacy to set an atmosphere to
the scene as common conations of a storm are anger, violence and formidable force, all
which mirror Cadys inner thoughts. This suggests to the audience that the prisoner is not
walking out to enjoy the freedom he now owns but instead is on a mission, yet to be
discovered by the audience, once again creating mystery in the scene. This dark, violent
and daunting setting fits the common themes of a thriller opening reinforcing the genre of a
film. The way in which props are used also adds tension to the scene as the freighting
prison wire is now behind the character showing clearly how nothing is in his way now.

8. Overall Evaluation of Cape Fear Opening
 I believe that the opening of Cape fear achieves presenting the common
conventions of a thriller film. Through the effective use of mis en scene, sound,
cinematography and editing a creepy and thrilling atmosphere is created which
allows the viewer to be instantly drawn into the film. The opening also
accomplishes a baseline for the story without hardly any dialogue which builds a
lot of tension for the following scene as many questions are created. I believe the
producers and directors of the opening wanted to create an Eerie, creepy and
scary opening for the audience which in my personal opinion was defiantly
accomplished.