The document provides an analysis of the opening scenes of the 2000 British crime thriller film "Essex Boys". It summarizes key plot details, locations, characters, and visual elements used to set the tone and provide cultural context. The opening establishes the characters of Billy, an innocent man drawn into a criminal world, and Jason, a predatory ex-convict gangster. Scenes take place in isolated, dilapidated locations like an abandoned garage that convey a sense of entrapment. Cinematography uses chiaroscuro lighting and camera angles symbolic of imprisonment to set a dark, mysterious tone.

1. Essex Boys
Case Study
Directed By: Terry Winsor
Written By: Jeff Pope, Terry Winsor
Date Of Release: July 14, 2000
Genre: Thriller, Drama
Duration time: 102 minutes
A two-fisted tale of
drugs, guns, and murder
based on a real-life
gangland killing that left
three dead in the snowy
Essex backcountry.
'Along with solid performances from the entire cast and an ending
that won’t let you down, Tanter’s latest film has all the makings of
a fine British feature' - Gloria Daniels-Moss

2. At the beginning of the film we see Billy locked in a garage trying to open
a car door. This area is very secluded and claustrophobic location which
represents Billy’s character later on in this scene when he’s driving the
van.
Next we see Billy and Jason driving into the Dartford tunnel with
the Dartford bridge in the background. This is a cultural signifier as the
Dartford bridge and tunnel are big locations in England. We also notice
the wet streets which is stereotypical for a thriller. It then moves to a
point of view shot where we see the car driving into the tunnel . It almost
looks like a barrel of a gun which is good representation of death
throughout the film. You could also argue it’s as if Billy is leaving his world
in order to drive out the other side into Jason’s.
Next is when Jason goes to visit his ‘old friend’ which turns out to
be somebody who snitched on him to the police. This is located at a fish
market, this is also a cultural signifier as fish is a typical British food.
After this Billy drives Jason and his new hostage in a white van to
the middle of nowhere. This location could be used to show the lack of
life beyond criminal activity in Jason’s world and how he hasn’t been
allowed a life due to imprisonment.

3. Throughout the opening we see a use of chiaroscuro lighting. This
establishes that it’s a thriller. For example, it open’s with dull and dark
lighting, this is to define the mood. We also see a lamp in the
background which emphasises decay in the location. Billy later goes on
to start the car and we see from a point of view shot the headlights
hitting Jason. This is excellent as it creates mystery on who this
character is.
Next we see Billy and Jason driving into the Dartford tunnel, a
pale but still dull lighting was used. It then moves on to going through
the tunnel. There is a reflection of the lights hitting the window screen
and it almost projects lines that symbolises prison bars. This connotes
Jason’s ex prison status and perhaps Billy's future if he carries on being
apart of illegal activity. The camera then moves to Jason sitting in a
dark lighting, this could act as a representation of his ‘dark’ personality
as a murderer.
After this the rest of the opening is set with a pale and cold
atmosphere with an exception of them leaving the factory where we
see a nice blue warm sky. Irony and sarcasm is the only reason for
doing this because there isn’t a good moral side to the situation they
are in.

4. We don’t hear much over the sound of the strong Essex accent’s used
by the characters. Other then that, it is mainly diegetic sounds such as
hearing the dirt being emphasised as it crunches on the ground in the
garage.
At the beginning of the opening we seen an old dusty car, cobwebs and
hanging lights. This gives off the sense it is untouched and abandoned which is
rather creepy and shows that it’s a thriller.
Afterwards, Billy and Jason pick up a white van. This is stereotyped
particularly in the UK as being used by a dangerous or aggressive middle-class
man who has a job such as a plumber or locksmith.
Following this, the van turns up at a fish factory. We can tell the location
being a factory from the props used such as bulks of boxes which are being
moved around and fish lying on large metal worktops.
Jason then pulls out a crow bar also known as a wrecking bar to use as a
weapon and starts battering him with it. A crow bar is usually used by builders
and man in the construction industry, this refers back to the stereotype of a
white van.

5. Billy is played by Charlie Creed-
Miles. His character seems like
he was originally very innocent
and normal. He has a very
strong Essex accent and looks
very isolated and
uncomfortable in the opening.
Jason is played by Sean Bean. He is
an ex-criminal and current
gangster. He portrays himself as
someone with no boundaries and
little to loose. We learn that he is
predatory, strongly instinctive and
unreasonable.
Billy wears dull clothing in the
opening. I believe this is so he
can blend and pretend he’s
none existent to prevent getting
in any unwanted trouble.
Jason is wearing a very bold black
and gold patterned shirt with a
leather jacket on the top. This
reflects his personality, black
because he has a very dark
criminal side to him and gold to
represent that he is a gangster and
wants to succeed even if its by
being corrupt.
Billy Jason