Analysis of horror noir opening

1. Alex Inkster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1o-GOpdt0Q
Analysis of Horror noir opening
Silence of the lambs is the opening that I have chosen as it is a mixture of horror
and noir. But the move and the opening are not based, as a noir film it only has
concepts that can be used in a noir film for example there is a detective, a
protagonist a femme fatal and a sort of mob boss. There is also a character that is
not a corrupt cop but has the criteria of a corrupt cop.
From watching the opening sequence it opens with a misty wood. The opening
can be interpreted as a horror, because it has an isolated area and there is no one
around but the protagonist. In this sequence there is incidental music playing,
there are violins playing and flutes. This could suggest that mysterious felling for
the viewer as it makes the audience know
that it is a horror. There is also sound effect
that us used in the sequence. This sound
effect is an eagle. This is used to create the
feeling that the protagonist is high up on a
hill. It could also suggest that the
protagonist is being watched, and this is an
example of a horror convention as it usual
for the protagonist to feel as if they are being watched. From there we then see
the protagonist climbing up a hill using a rope. This gives the audience the sense
that she is a strong character. This could be linked towards protagonists in
horror and noir films as they are usually strong and brave. We also hear her
panting which is diegetic sound as
she can hear it. This shows that she
is tired. When she gets to the top of
the hill she then stops and looks off
into the distance, but we can’t see
what she sees. This is commonly
used in horror films to build
suspense. However in this film it is
used as the protagonist hears some
birds. As this sound is not seen on screen it is ambient sound. Then the
protagonist runs off in the other direction. While this is happening the incidental
music is still playing.
In the next seine we see the protagonist
running into the mist. This is usually used
in dark noir films to create a sense of
mystery. It is also used in horror films to
present the killer/ghost into the seine.
Then the camera cuts to a front view of the
protagonist running. In this sine there are
different ambient sounds being used. These
include the sound of the leaves being stepped on and crows. Then the incidental
music changes from a more mysterious tone to a more serious one. This is done
by making it louder and going from a high tone to a lower one. This is commonly
used in horror films to create the same effect of there being a serious seine. From
there we see the protagonist running towards a net in which she has to climb

2. Alex Inkster
over. In this seine the incidental music has
started to die down and get quieter. Also in
this seine there is no fog, this takes away
the dark feel of the previous seines. This
seine uses a number of different shots, the
shots that are used area steadicam shot, tilt
and pan. First the steadicam shot is used to
follow the protagonist and moves round to
the other side of the obstacle she has to
climb over. While this is being used the
camera tilts upward to get a better look.
Finally once she is back on the ground it
pans over when she runs past it. This is
often used in noir films when a character
is leaving a dark alleyway or an isolated
area usually followed by some narration.
Then a new character comes into the seine to get the attention of the new
character. But before he runs in we first hear him shouting this is ambient sound,
as the sound can be heard by the characters and the audience but can’t be seen
on screen.