The film opening of Skyfall uses various cinematography techniques to set up themes of vulnerability, death, and foreshadowing future events in the film. Shots of Daniel Craig as James Bond floating unconsciously in water and being dragged downwards connote vulnerability and an impending threat. Images of gravestones and falling weapons likewise connote death. Through its editing, lighting, music and framing of shots, the opening works to build tension and intrigue while dropping clues about locations and characters that will be significant later in the film.

1. FILM ANALYSIS OF SKYFALL
By Sujon Miah

2. SKYFALL
Skyfall released in (2012) is the twenty-third
James Bond film produced by Eon Productions
It was spread by MGM and Sony Pictures
Entertainment. It features Daniel Craig as
James Bond, and Javier Bardem as Raoul
Silva, the film's antagonist. The film was
directed by Sam Mendes and written by Neal
Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan.

3. CINEMATOGRAPHY
The first shot shows the protagonist floating in water, he is then dragged
deeper until a hole forms on the ocean floor. This signals an upcoming
threat the character may face later on
The longshot of the protagonist being dragged into the hole shows a faint
depiction of a skull. Again this connotes death.
The cardboard cut-outs of the protagonist backs up my claim of death as he
has a bullet hole on it.
The connotation of death appears again as guns and knifes are shown
falling onto graves. Once again foreshadowing death, but who's death?
The portrayal of a female character is shown in a vulnerable illustration.
This also supports the male gaze as the character is naked which supports
the vulnerability.
The opening also hints locations which will appear in the film. Such as the
Chinese dragons, suggest there will be scenes in china.

4. MISE-EN-SCENE
•
The suit indicates professionalism as the
audience already has an image in their head of
how an MI6 agent may look. Also his hair being
short and neat gives the protagonist a clean
look, and also shows he cares about his image.
The suit also shows power as he looks sharp
but also show seriousness and authority.
•
Also this house is shown throughout the film
opening a couple of times, hence suggesting its
importance in the film, as it foreshadows that
there will be scenes in or around that house
and it will be important scenes.
•
The graveyard connotes death which is
presented throughout the film opening, and the
guns and knifes falling this all is also a genre
signifier of action, as it has weapons and the
connotation of death which is expected in action
films.

5. SOUND AND EDITING
•
Editing/Lighting
The opening of Skyfall includes fast pace editing to keep the audience engaged so that they
don’t get bored or even think to look away fro even a second as they may miss something
important or interesting. There has also been use of black screens, which have been used to
differentiate the scenes. The lighting that has been used in the opening of Skyfall that has
been used is low key lighting which has been used to enhance a mysterious and ghastly
appearance. Moreover in some extents of the film opening high key lighting has also been
used by the director to evidently show those scenes to the audience.
Sound
At the beginning of the opening we hear the classic James Bond theme music. The music
starts off slowly and forms up to a crescendo as the protagonist is being dragged further down
into the water, this effect builds up tension to emphasize the climax that is being constructed.
The non- diegetic soundtrack throughout the film opening is ‘Skyfall’ by the artist Adele.

6. EXPOSITION OF CHARACTERS
•
At the beginning of the film opening we see James Bond the
protagonist being portrayed to be defenceless and weak as he
is in the water motionless. To emphasise on his vulnerability it
shows the protagonist being pulled down by a hand. It show
even though he wears a suit and has all these skills and
authority, he still is vulnerable and it shows that at this shot that
he has no power. Hence showing that because of his job he will
face many problems and situations that will be dangerous and
may lead to death.
•
The second image show that the protagonist is distrustful as he
doesn’t know who to shoot or seems like a hidden meaning as
he also doesn’t know who to trust. He also has a gum ready
and aimed all the time thus showing that he is also aware of his
surroundings at all times and is ready for anything.
•
The use of mirrors to show his reflection and shadows allow us
to see the protagonist in action from all angles. It clearly show
that the protagonist is shooting his own reflection which
suggests that the problems/situations he occurs are from his
own actions.

7. NARRATIVE THEORY
Levi Strauss's theory of binary oppositions is demonstrated. For instance:
•
Good VS Evil
•
Hero VS Villain
•
Friend VS Foe
Roland Barthes’s theory of enigma codes is used throughout the film opening. For example:
•
Has the protagonist died in the water?
•
Whose deaths does the graveyard suggest?
•
Does the protagonist die?
•
Does he accomplish his mission?
Also foreshadowing occurs throughout the film opening, for instance the protagonist shooting the shadows
suggesting he is paranoid this foreshadows that his close one may betray him. Furthermore
foreshadowing is emphasised by the iconography of the skull and crossbones in addition of the graveyard
which foreshadows death to certainly happen in the film but making the audience question about whose
death? Or deaths.