This analysis is about is about the film Shutter Island. This
is a drama, mystery and thriller film, that was made in
2010 and directed by Martin Scorsese and based on
the novel written by Dennis Lehane. The plot to this
film is a drama set in 1954 where U.S Marshal Teddy
Daniels (played by well known actor Leonardo
DiCaprio) who is investigating the disappearance of
a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the
criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding
nearby. I would say that the target audience for this
film is for 15- 45 year olds, the certificate for this film is
an 15 which includes strong violence, and use of
strong language.


No main characters are introduced in the opening sequence. Although
in this opening sequence we do see security guards/police
officers, there's no dialogue, but as the audience we can start to put
pieces together and start tell the narrative of the story. The opening
sequence focuses on the different locations that will be later on seen
during the film. Every location shown also tells a story and is dark and
adds mystery which fits into some of the conventions of a thriller. There
are many different uses of camerawork and different shots used for
example, there is an establishing shot, where we can see the hospital on
the island, which shows that there is no easy way of the island and that
its in an isolated area which creates danger. The lighting is low key, its
dark and creates shadows, the only light really shown is the flickering
light of a candle which fits in well with the sub genre horror (mystery).
The soundtrack that is played throughout creates tension as its made
though sharp sounding noises/notes caused by brass in an orchestra.
This opening sequence also has the titles shown throughout which allows
the director, writer, producers and the main actors to be
acknowledged.

Shutter island opening sequence analysis

  • 2.
    This analysis isabout is about the film Shutter Island. This is a drama, mystery and thriller film, that was made in 2010 and directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the novel written by Dennis Lehane. The plot to this film is a drama set in 1954 where U.S Marshal Teddy Daniels (played by well known actor Leonardo DiCaprio) who is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding nearby. I would say that the target audience for this film is for 15- 45 year olds, the certificate for this film is an 15 which includes strong violence, and use of strong language.
  • 3.
     No main charactersare introduced in the opening sequence. Although in this opening sequence we do see security guards/police officers, there's no dialogue, but as the audience we can start to put pieces together and start tell the narrative of the story. The opening sequence focuses on the different locations that will be later on seen during the film. Every location shown also tells a story and is dark and adds mystery which fits into some of the conventions of a thriller. There are many different uses of camerawork and different shots used for example, there is an establishing shot, where we can see the hospital on the island, which shows that there is no easy way of the island and that its in an isolated area which creates danger. The lighting is low key, its dark and creates shadows, the only light really shown is the flickering light of a candle which fits in well with the sub genre horror (mystery). The soundtrack that is played throughout creates tension as its made though sharp sounding noises/notes caused by brass in an orchestra. This opening sequence also has the titles shown throughout which allows the director, writer, producers and the main actors to be acknowledged.