This document provides a summary of 9 frames from the opening sequence of the 1991 film "Cape Fear" directed by Martin Scorsese. The frames establish the gloomy atmosphere and build tension. Frame 1 shows a subverted title sequence over blue tones. Frame 2 features a shadowy figure reflected in water, juxtaposing calm and violence. Subsequent frames introduce the main characters and their backstories to foreshadow impending conflict, showing a prisoner being released after 14 years and observing his former lawyer's family home from the shadows.

1. Cape Fear
1991 Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte
& Jessica Lange

2. The sound of
Frame 1
falling rain in The movie opens
the with a Universal
background indent.
adds to the However, the
gloomy image is
atmosphere of subverted and
the initial shot presented in
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.

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
speaks of the
She is the enjoyment the
This scene creates
archetypal young girl has
uncertainty in the viewer
victim of the experienced in a
as its overwhelmingly
genre. “magical” place,
positive tone is a marked
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 in
Cady’s prison
pictures of
cell.
historical
figures, mar
tyrs and
super
heroes. The
choice of
images
suggests he
respects
absolute The camera
The clip features
power & gradually zooms
bombastic, gloomy
aggression out to reveal
orchestral Music
and feels the scope of his
creating a sense of
that he has obsession.
foreboding/
been
anticipation of bad
mistreated.
things to come

6. The camera Frame 5
shows mid shot
Tattoo on
of a man
his back is
working
of a cross
out, showing
with
that he is strong
weights on
and powerful.
either
The size of him
side, it looks
shows that he
like I has a
must do it
meaning
daily, and could
also suggest the
time period he
was in there for.
He looks like he is
waiting for
someone/something.
He looks inpatient and
is doing exercise to
take the time away.

7. As he is putting
Frame 6
Prison bars
his shirt on he
could
walking out the
suggest the
door showing that
safety of the
he is glad to be
prisoner.
out of there.
Law books in the
background show his
past, like he has leant As he turns to the
about it while he was audience it create
in prison – shows tension,
intelligence.

8. The fencing around
Gloomy looking
clouds (storm)
Frame 7 the prison shows that
it restricted but also
the safety of the
over the top of
prisoners. it also
the prison but in
shows that people are
the background it
not welcome.
is more lighter
showing a more
unwelcoming feel
towards the
prison. Looks like
the storm is
getting bigger
and bigger like
something bad is
going to happen.
Long shot of the man
leaving the prison, he
His cloths look old, like they are the doesn’t look like he is
closes he went in wearing. in a rush.

9. Frame 8
The close up on his face
You can still see the
zooms in as he is walking.
storm over the prison
This close up shows the
behind him like he is
expression on his face. He
leaving it behind, could
looks calm like he is ready
show a ,mixed
to do what ever he is
message.
going to do.

10. Very different to what
the man has being Frame 9
living in for the past 14
years.
Looks like a big wealthy
family home, looks The shot is being taken in
pleasant, although you the shadows like he
are looking at a point doesn’t want to be seen.
of view like someone is
watching the house.