2. FILM TRAILER ANALYSIS
• The departed is a crime, drama and thriller film, released on the 6th of October 2006. The film is a about
An undercover state cop who has infiltrated an Irish gang and a mole in the police force working for the
same mob race to track down and identify each other before being exposed to the enemy, after both sides
realize their outfit has a rat. The opening shot is of frank Costello (jack Nicholson) is a track shot of the
gangland chief walking through an urban garage, setting the scene of the Irish neighbourhood that is
south Boston, in this shot his face is blacked out, suggesting he is a dark evil character, a typical stereotype
of any gang leader involved in organised crime.
3. FILM TRAILER ANALYSIS
• This shot is of Costello and Billy the undercover (rat), the scene is set in an Irish pub emphasizing the
location of the film, being south Boston with a large Irish community, this is emphasised further with
typical Irish folk music being played throughout the scene. The fact that Costello is wearing a suit in this
scene shows his wealth as a mob boss, as it is uncommon for people to wear suits to pubs. Billy (Leonardo
DiCaprio) on the other hand is dressed more suitably, inferring his undercover roll as rat for the
Massachusetts police force, despite being from a family linked to organised crime, Billy attends police
academy but drops out due to his credibility for his role as a rat, to further increase his credibility he does
time on a fake assault charge, scene in these shots.
4. FILM TRAILER ANALYSIS
• The genre of the film becomes obvious after the film’s Production Company is introduced (Warner bros),
following this there is a series of rapidly cut shots, including exchanging of money, which then leads to two
bodies laid out on the floor, suggesting someone had a price on their head, typical aspect of gangster
crime genre films, this is supported with the props such as dollar bills, pool tables and guns which all set
the scene of a gangster packed film and are visible throughout the trailer.
5. FILM TRAILER ANALYSIS
• Throughout the trailer there are a series of captions, apart from a few showing the main cast of the film,
the majority of the captions either ask question or show quotes. The questions create a sense of belonging
for the audience, encouraging them to want to go and see the film as soon as it is released; the statement/
quotes on the other hand give the feeling that the film is based around qualities such as loyalty and
sacrifice, giving the audience an insight into the plot of film and what it is all about.
6. FILM TRAILER ANALYSIS
• The pace of the trailer begins slowly with a voice over of Costello himself; however it suddenly changes to
a series of fast cuts all displaying different scenes linked to what he is talking about. Once the production
company ( Warner bros) is introduced the pace begins to pick up, the dialogue is also much louder when
scenes of the Massachusetts police are shown, enforcing there power as law enforcement officers. It then
reduces down to a slower pace when DiCaprio is assigned to infiltrate Costello’s crew, creating a sense of
seriousness, as what he is about to do has great risks. The pace of trailer is once again picked up, the
speed is matched by fast flowing Irish dancing music, not only does the music set the scene of south
Boston, it also emphasises the Irish culture at the time of Costello’s gang, supported further by the scene
of when Costello and Billy first meet which is situated in an Irish pub, The music also implies the action
element and as it is fast flowing, outlining the fast paced life that is led by gangsters and the constant
hassle of the armed forces, linking to The plot of the film as it is almost a race against time for both
Costello and the Massachusetts police to find out who is the mole in the force and who is the rat
infiltrating Costello’s crew.
