The document provides an analysis of the opening scenes of the thriller film "Cape Fear". It summarizes that the opening reflects different ominous images in a river to introduce the characters. The first character seen is a prisoner with tattoos symbolizing justice, establishing him as someone with unfinished business. Throughout the opening, the film uses lighting, camera shots, music and other techniques to set a mood of danger, mystery and suspense as the main character is released from prison into an approaching storm.

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2. In the opening, a river reflects different images showing a brief introduction to all the
different types of characters which will be in the thriller. The first reflection was of an
eagle which could connote a predator. This follows the codes and conventions because all
thrillers should have a villain/predator to set the scene of a general thriller. Black, grey and
red are the main colours used at the beginning which connotes black as death and evil,
grey showing unhappiness and loneliness and red which is the colour of danger and
warning. There also is a hint of green which can mean jealousy. This warning could be
aimed to the audience watching the film that there is violence and horror surrounding this
movie. The first time we saw the potential predator of this film was in a prison cell which
immediately gives the assumption that this character has got a bad record with violence.
This follows the codes and conventions of a thriller because the prison links into different
types of crimes such as murder which is a typical plot to thrillers. When the protagonist
is doing his push ups we can see that his entire back is full of tattoos. The tattoo is an
image showing the scale of truth and justice. This could show that he believes everyone
should have what they deserve and receive justice from it. For a thriller film this symbol
could portray the prisoner that he has unfinished business and wants to find the truth
about something. This can relate to the codes and conventions because it’s giving the
audience things to think about the character such as why is he in prison? As the
protagonist leaves the prison, the weather appears to be a thunder storm which can
foreshadow danger because he has been released from prison into the free world.
Mise En Scene

3. The Tattoos on the
protagonists back
showing justice and
truth.
The
stereotypical
thriller damsel.
Dressed in a
white polo
showing a
school girl and
portrayed to
be innocent.

4. At the start, there was a close-up of the lake where it showed large shadowed
images by using this camera shot it showed these images were very significant to
the thriller because it leaves the audience with questions about why theses things
are so significant in this film this links to code and conventions as it leaves the
audience questioning what is going to happen next. After the credits there is a
close-up of a girls eyes while zooming out to see a mid shot of her to show she
was wearing a white polo top which connotes a innocent school girl this links to
codes and conventions of a thriller because the stereotype of a victim in a thriller
is a young innocent school girl. The thriller then uses another close up in the cell
of all the prisoners posters and book such as criminal law and justice as the
camera starts to zoom out we see the criminal doing push ups. With the camera
showing the entire prison cell we can see this prisoner is associated with a lot of
power through his choice of books and his active workout. As he walks out of his
cell and past the others we follow him and the guards in a tracking shot, this leads
us through the prison cells and past the gate where a match shot is used to show
him leaving the building. As he walks away he heads straight for the camera
showing that the audience feel intimidated by his presence.
Cinematography

5. The first time we
meet the main
character is in a
prison cell and
so we make
assumptions that
he is trouble.
The character
walking straight for
the camera making
the audience fear
him.

6. Editing
The director uses manipulation to make you feel uncomfortable and
aware that the protagonist is a threat by the way he walks towards
the camera. As the protagonist leaves the prison, the guard opens
the doors to leave the prison which is shown in a match shot to
them on the other side walking out of the building. This shows
continuity because the audience are able to follow the actors and
understand what they are doing and where they are going. During
the beginning where the credits are shown. The clip shows
numerous images dissolving into the water. These images change
into different images throughout the credits clip. Once the credits
are over the water fades into an image of close up eye. These eyes
that are staring into the camera and in an x-ray edit which goes from
the colour red to blue showing that this character could be a cold,
dark person and an important character to the film.

7. The credits shown on top of a lake maybe showing
that cape fear is a type of river or lake?

8. The clip begins with the sound of thunder getting closer and
closer making it louder. This non-diegetic sound creates the
feeling of danger and unsettlement to the movie showing
what this film is going to be like. The music then fades in
and increasing the tension and pace of the music till it gets to
the title of the film in the credits ‘Cape Fear’ this could
portray the title as being an important name in this film. The
music then returns to being slow however suspense and
creepy. The music fades when the credits come to a close and
the dialogue of a girl begins talking about the background of
what Cape Fear is without giving to much away and so
keeps the audience thinking about all the unanswered
question and persuades them to carry on watching. As the
girl stops talking, the screen goes blank and the sound of
western music occurs which could mean the setting is based
around the western states of America. When the shot goes to
the protagonist leaving the prison, there is silence as he
walks past all of his fellow prisoners. The silence could show
that they are intimidated by him or that they are jealous of
him leaving without them. Another question unanswered.
‘Why is he leaving’ or ‘Why was he in there in the first place?
Sound

9. All of the
prisoners are
standing by there
cage doors
watching him
leave in silence.
Intimidating?
Jealousy?
Scared?

10. Written By Beckie Jacobs.