Cape Fear

1991 Martin Scorsese

Starring: Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte & Jessica Lange

Frame 1The movie opens with a Universal ident. However, the image is subverted and presented in a gloomy blue colour.

The image also appears as if underwater. This links to a prominent location in the movie

The sound of falling rain in the background adds to the gloomy atmosphere of the initial shot

Frame 2

Although this shot is taken from the title sequence it still helps to develop the atmosphere of dread in the opening sequence. The reflection of a shadowy and menacing figure is presented atop a backdrop of calm, lightly rippling water. This juxtaposition of the calm with the violent lies at the core of the movie.

Frame 3The camera slowly zooms out, stopping at a mid-shot of a girl in her late teens/early twenties.

She is the archetypal victim of the genre.

The girl is dressed in white carrying connotations of innocence and purity.

The dialogue speaks of the enjoyment the young girl has experienced in a “magical” place, the inaptly named “Cape Fear”

This scene creates uncertainty in the viewer as its overwhelmingly positive tone is a marked contrast to what is to come.

Frame 4 The movie opens with an establishing shot showing Cady’s prison cell.

Cady’s wall is covered in pictures of historical figures, martyrs and super heroes. The choice of images suggests he respects absolute power & aggression and feels that he has been mistreated.

The camera gradually zooms out to reveal the scope of his obsession.

The clip features bombastic, gloomy orchestral Music creating a sense of foreboding/ anticipation of bad things to come

Frame 5

Cady is working out and is strong. This shows that he is a powerful character who should be feared and is quite dangerous.

Tattoo of scales on his back suggest that he thinks he should be in charge of balancing things out like a superhero which relates to his wall.

The bars show that he is a dangerous person but we are protected from him. The bars also show that this man is almost like an animal as he has to be caged up.

The fact that Cady’s back is facing the camera creates a feeling of mystery around him and the viewer is immediately wondering who this character is.

Frame 6

Cady’s has lots of tattoos on his body which suggests that he is sort of a rebel to society, as this is what tattoos are usually associated with.

This frame is a contrast to the last frame because when the bars were shut the viewer felt safe but now they are open.

The many books on the shelf suggest that the character is quite intelligent which suits the psychological thriller theme.

There is not much sound when Cady leaves which shows that he is a feared and respected man in prison.

Frame 7 The sky is dark and cloudy which is a use of pathetic fallacy to portray the feeling that the character is a bad man and bad things are going to happen.

There is a long-shot of the prison which shows what a daunting and intimidating place it is.

Cady is walking boldly without any emotion which suggests that he is on a mission and has a single goal that he has to do.

The fact that Cady and the viewer are both outside the gate show that there is nothing to protect them from him.

Frame 8

Cady walks right up to the camera which is quite sudden and shows that he is a very bold and important character.

Cady takes up most of the shot which suggests that he is the main focus and there is nowhere to escape from him.

The emotionless expression on his face further reinforces the idea that he has a job to do and nothing will stop him. It also shows him as a serious and dangerous character.

He is very intimidating as he walks directly towards the viewer.

Frame 9

This frame is a contrast to the other frames because everything looks quite peaceful and happy.

This shot helps establish the background on the characters because as there is a large house we immediately think that the person who lives there must be quite well paid e.g. a lawyer.

Pathetic fallacy is used in this frame also because the sky is bright and the sun is shining on the white house, this suggests that this is a safe place which contrasts to the prison

In the corners of the frame there are still dark areas which still suggests that there is danger, even here.