The document provides a shot-by-shot analysis of the opening sequence of the film Hannibal. It identifies the main theme as being about sight, watching, and surveillance. Several shots establish this theme by showing characters watching each other or the viewer feeling like they are being watched. Key shots include a blank screen that slowly reveals the setting, two characters sitting far apart suggesting confrontation, and a character with a disfigured face making the viewer uncomfortable. The analysis effectively uses the shots to introduce characters and generate questions about the plot, while consistently connecting back to the overarching theme.

1. Hannibal Shot by shot analysis From analysing the opening sequence to this classic thriller, I began to notice the subtle hints throughout that not only can give away the plot of the film, but also the theme that connects the film together. In this case, I thought that the main theme of this film has ideas of: Sight Being watchful ‘ Keeping an eye out’ Surveilling someone/thing

3. This is the first set of titles you see before any images or clips are shown. This is effective as since the writing is in red it automatically suggests to me that the film has some horror, or thriller elements. The writing is in smaller and thinner print than the usual titles that are bold and easier to read. Also throughout, this part discordant notes, jingling of chains/keys and off screen mans voice is heard. These all creates suspense and a sense of entrapment as chains and keys imply, being locked in or tied up and also the mans voice is heard , but you don’t see where it is coming from for a while and you are literally ‘left in the dark’ from who is speaking.

4. This shot I feel also presents the theme of watching/seeing/looking. At first the screen is blank with just the ‘A Scott Free Production’ showing, and suddenly from with the darkness the next scene appears on the left and it slowly grows enabling us to so see and establish the first setting. Suggests giving us a peak or an insight into the scene.

5. I chose this shot as not only does it present the theme well, as it appears that we are watching the conversation from afar, but it also establishes the setting an characters well. This shots suggests to me that the two men sitting down are not close friends as they are sitting far apart form each other, automatically suggesting that they had or will have a confrontation or maybe they are just business associates. The disabled man on the left, draws me in straight away as I want to know, what happened to him, why he is in the wheelchair, etc. Effective as it makes the viewer want to continue watching. Also the standing man seems to be the body guard creating an air of danger and suspense.

6. This shot is effective as it follows along the genre of horror/psychological thriller, as this mans face is severely scarred and deformed which can often be seen in this genre to give certain characters a scarier persona. This shot also enables us to familiarise ourselves with his character. Once again the theme is gruesomely continued onto this shot, as the characters eye, seemed enlarged, which gave me the feeling of discomfort and that he was watching me.

7. Much like the previous shot, this enables to familiarise ourselves with his character. Also, in this opening this character doesn’t smile and again tension is added to the situation.

8. I felt this shot was effective as it also suggests the feel of being watched over, as the body guard is doing just that to the disabled man. In addition, the body guards character is shown fully for the first time, again allowing familiarisation. Throughout, this conversation , discordant piano notes have been edited in, can be heard softly in the back ground, but the music changes tune slowly as the scene progresses.

9. This shot, much like Jaws as it give us the feeling of wanting to know more, to see what's in the box, and we want to watch more, even though the object in the box is clearly disturbing or has some important relevance to the characters. At this point the music becomes more sinister as a deeper Cello sounding diegetic tune is played underneath the dialogue, and the volume changes, so we are able to hear what the characters are saying.

10. The widely known Hannibal mask is finally revealed, and the piano notes are heard again and the volume heightens as soon as it is shown, showing that the mask obviously is of some importance/relevance to the film, the purple silk on which the mask lays also suggests that the mask is valuable and is worth the offered $250,000. This is and effective shot before the main title is shown, as it automatically makes the viewer question, who the mask belongs to, again making them want to carry on watching.

11. This title screen is the first time the name film title is shown and it’s presentation is effective. The font and deep blood red colour makes it look as if it was scribed in blood, adding a gory edge to the film as the opening scene doesn’t particularly, apart form the scars, suggest that yet. The scribing , in my opinion also gives the title a more personal edge, like a letter welcoming the viewer personally to the film.

12. This CCTV shot suggests the theme greatly here as surveillance cameras’ primary use is to watch people or look out for danger. This captured shot also introduces Anthony Hopkins to the viewers. Whilst at the bottom of the screen the ‘ PLAY ’ and ‘LOCK ’ could be seen as clue into what the film is about before it has progressed. The PLAY suggests to me the idea of playing mind games or playing with peoples lives, which suits the psychological thriller genre perfectly. Whereas, the LOCK gives the idea of kidnap and entrapment, which shows things that could happen in the film.

13. This shot is interesting as not only is it in CCTV mode, but it also shows a close up of a pigeons eye. Pigeons are unusual animals to used for a film, but they have a clever relevance to the film’s theme, as pigeons are everywhere, they see everything and are very watchful. Therefore their whole persona ties in with the films theme. Once again, the close up of an eye, provided the feeling of discomfort and violation.

14. Similarly, this shot again shows CCTV camera keeping a close eye on society. The whole idea of CCTV and that many different people have been watched by it, in this genre of film, again creates a feeling of discomfort as you realise that anyone can be watching you at anytime.

15. This shot, is extremely clever as it ties everything about the themes and characters into one shot. The pigeons forming the face of Anthony Hopkins, not only shows the viewer his character, but it also suggests that he is the man that is watching you as his ‘eyes’ are faced directly at that camera. This shots shows that the pigeons are flying away, which eventually dissolves the face suggesting that he is someone who is on the run or cannot be found.