This document provides an analysis of the opening title sequence of the 2009 film Sherlock Holmes. It summarizes that the names of characters are presented in a Victorian style alongside freeze frame drawings of the actors. The production company is listed as Village Roadshow Pictures. The mise-en-scene establishes the period setting through costumes, dark lighting, and tea stained colors. Hard cuts and a soundtrack of strings help set the pace and period. Character portraits shown the protagonists in tailored suits contrasted with grittier clothing worn by antagonists.

1. ART OFTHETITLE
SHERLOCK HOLMES
(2009)
Alastair Simpson

2. Genre
■ Action Film
■ Thriller
■ Mystery
■ Adventure Film
■ Crime

3. Titles
■ The names of people are shown in fancy dated writing on the tea stained colour,
alongside freeze frame drawing of the actors.
■ The production company isVillage Roadshow Pictures

4. Mise-en-scene
■ The whole scene is quite dark but that is how it was in that time period, which adds to
the realism of the opening,The tea stain colour and writing also adds to the period
setting.The costumes are designed for the year of around the 1890’s which is why the
characters wear top hats and waistcoats as well a large jackets.

5. Editing
■ There are some hard cuts in the opening which add to the fast paced effect.
■ The freeze frame of the characters is a good addition so that people can get a good
look at what the characters look like, it also adds to the effect of the time period due
to the fact that when they freeze frame they turn into drawings instead of
photographs which didn’t exist
■ The soundtrack in the background of the opening is an old style song using strings to
create a song that would be played in theVictorian times which is when it was set so
that the audience get a feel of the time period.

6. Narrative and Characters
■ The characters are presented inVictorian clothing as well as being presented in what
looks like an expensive home, all the characters who are the protagonists are shown
wearing tailored suits and posh clothing whereas when Robert Downy JR is fighting
with someone they are wearing gritty clothing.
■ The freeze frames of the main characters show off the great use of casting in the
movie. Having a cast really draws in many audiences with Robert Downy Jr from
movies likeAvengers franchise and Jude law from all genres of movies.