The document summarizes key scenes and shots from the opening sequence of the 1991 film "Cape Fear." It analyzes 9 frames from the sequence, describing what each shot shows and how it contributes to establishing the gloomy, unsettling atmosphere. The shots show Cady leaving prison with an angry facial expression, suggesting he has plans for revenge. Intercut is a shot of a nice house, which may relate to Cady spying on someone from his past. Overall the analysis conveys how the opening uses visuals and music to create a sense of impending danger and dread.

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 ident. However,
adds to the the image is
gloomy subverted and
atmosphere of presented in a
the initial shot 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.
She is the
archetypal
victim of the The dialogue
genre. speaks of the
This scene creates enjoyment the
uncertainty in the viewer young girl has
as its overwhelmingly experienced in a
positive tone is a marked “magical”
contrast to what is to place, 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,
martyrs 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. Safe feeling
Frame 5
due to bar
foreground ‘’tough guy’’
allow brief good
respite from condition,
tension. Then making
let out, the audience
opposite. fearful from
mere
appearance.
Tattoo of
Hiding of the
truth and
face may allow
justice, he
audience to
got none
feel more
of them.
uneasy as they
Needing to
don’t know
balance it
who the man
out.
is.

7. Safety feeling is soon
leaving as the door to
the cell is opened by the Frame 6 As audience can now see
the mans face this gives
prison guard. This may
slight ease on tension
cause un-certainty with
because they now have
audience and makes
an image to work from
them wonder how long
the face.
he has been in there for.
As people are stereotypically happy when being able
to leave prison the mans facial expression is far from
happy but looks slightly smug and angry to be
leaving.

8. As we see
nobody there to
greet the Frame 7
leaving man we
wonder as an
audience if he
has any family
or friends. Or is
that being the
reason he was
even in there.
Long shot of the prison showing stability and confinement. As the
mood still being set in the opening is still gloomy the weather can
relate and show this. The sky is very cloudy and looks like a
thunderstorm.

9. A close up of the
mans face when he
Frame 8
is leaving the prison.
He is walking away
from it which may
also mean leaving
behind his old life in
prison and is ready
to start what he
wants.
Again his facial expression looks very moody and angry which
may mean there is something on his mind that he is waiting to
pursue. The look on his face may also signify revenge and a lust
to get his own back. The facial expression may also suggest
pride in that he has served his time and is proud that he has
got out and can now deal with all his troubles without being
confined.

10. Jumping to a completely
different long shot of a
house, this can maybe
mean it cant be Cady’s Frame 9
house because we don’t
know what life he had or
weather he could ever
afford such a nice house.
The camera angle in this shot is interesting because it looks as if
the camera is tucked away almost like spying on another persons
house. This gives me the impression that we could be looking
through the eyes of Cady.