This scene from Cape Fear establishes a sinister atmosphere through its non-diegetic soundtrack and low-key lighting. Images of rippling water transitioning from yellow to red foreshadow danger and death. Extreme close-ups of a cold eye and mouth suggest fear and mystery, while a smirking man's face makes the audience wonder if he is the cause of danger. The scene then introduces a young, innocent girl who questions the meaning of the river's name, "Cape Fear". It shows a prisoner being released, and his intimidating facial expressions as he approaches the camera, leaving the audience to contemplate the danger he may cause.

1. Cape fear analysis
By Patrick Robinson

2. The beginning of this scene starts with a music sting
leading to a non-diegetic soundtrack which creates a
sinister atmosphere. This creates the idea of tension
within the film, highlighting that the plot will be like
the typical conventions of a frightening, scary thriller,
which is also shown by the low-key lighting used
throughout the clip. A close up of rippling water is
seen, representing a flowing river. There is shades of
the yellow sun in the water which could be implying
sunset which could be a disguise for the end of life
and foreshadowing the dangers that could be coming
in the film.
.
As the title of the film is inserted into the clip, the non-diegetic
soundtrack then reaches a climax, the colour of the water turns more
red showing the large significance of the river with the film, connoting
blood and danger whilst also foreshadowing death.
The shot then changes into an image of an eagle flying over the
river , eagles are predators that feed on prey and are very
dangerous vicious which could represent a character in the film.

3. It is then followed by an extreme close up of a cold,
dark brown eye suggesting paranoia and fear within
a character, followed by another extreme close up of
a mouth suggesting screams, adding to the sense of
fear and mystery. There is then a close up of a mans
face slightly smirking is shown making the audience
wonder he is the cause of the danger.
The waters mini waves become faster flowing and rapid to build
tension within the clip, following that, a low angled shot of a man
looking down on us putting the audience in a vulnerable position the
man being portrayed as a character of danger and threat.
The water gradually turning from black to red with a close up of a
droplet of water faded into the frame foreshadowing death within the
river.

4. There is then a extreme close up of a young girls eyes then slowly zooming out
into a mid-shot of her, whilst speaking using diegetic dialogue. She is wearing a
white shirt with all buttons done up and she hasn't got makeup on which
suggests a young and innocent child, She says “says “I always thought that for
such a lovely river, the name was mystifying ‘Cape Fear’, and that the only thing
to fear on those enchanted summer nights was that the magic would end and
real-life would come crashing in.” With this diegetic dialogue she says it in a calm
yet soft tone, suggesting her vulnerability or even as if she was never affected by
what the mysterious happenings creating a sinister vibe.
In the next scene a non-diegetic soundtrack that is very loud and powerful
is in the back ground whilst a shot of close ups from a bunch of photos
stuck onto a cell wall, these photos consisting of Stalin, also known as ‘the
man of steel’ and suggests that the character of the prisoner.
The next shot shows a mans back as he is doing dips showing the audience he
has been working up to this day, as later on the narrative reveals he is leaving
the prison today. The closed-framing from behind the bars creates a sense of
entrapment and shows that he is confined and wants t be released. Meanwhile
his muscles show of his physical strength and the books that surround him
illustrate intelligence.The mid-shot shows off his tattoo on his back, it is a cross
with the scales of justice, the balance between the two highlighting of his belief
in justice, foreshadowing he is going to seek revenge after his release.

5. As the police officer comes to let the man out of prison, he addresses
him by his name, portraying he is well known within the prison and also
suggesting he has been there for a long time. He also has his own cell
whilst other prisoners are sharing which could show he is respected
amongst the prison. As he walked down the steps out of the prison all
of the other prisoners used non-verbal communication to represent the
respect, or maybe even fear him. As he is escorted out, there is a
tracking shot which follows him out.
As the clip comes to an end, a sound bridge is used as the
unlocking of the cell gates match the sound the unlocking of
the prison gates, alongside a dramatic non-diegetic
soundtrack. An establishing shot portrays him walking out
of prison.
There is thunder being heard over the soundtrack, this adds
mystery to his character, makes the audience think he is out
to cause more danger. He approaches the camera creating a
close up of his face portraying his cunning facial expressions
whilst intimidating the audience using such close proximity
with the camera.