Analysis

CAPE FEAR

• Cape fear begins with the Universal slogan appearing onscreen, however with low, mysterious music. The scene then fades by using blue smoke, which adds to the tense atmosphere. The scene then changes to show water, and the music sharply jumps, startling the audience and keeping them on the edge of their seat. The water takes on an extremely dark colour, adding to the thrill of the opening.

• The shadow of an eagle then silhouettes the surface, showing a deeper meaning of an eagle being a bird of prey, and signifying death and danger. This could be a sign of the themes set to appear later in the film, hinting a sense of impending doom

• An eye then appears in the reflection of the water, frantically looking around and appearing startled. This could signal that the eye is watching someone, or being watched, adding to the terror, suggesting the voyeurism and adding to the suspense of the film. This is continued by a man’s face appearing in the water, with his eyes shut and face leant back, almost like he has been stabbed, again accumulating to the creepy and daunting setting of the thriller. The use of water holds the objective to impose fear on the audience, as on the surface it is calm and natural, however holds a sense of unknown mystery beneath the surface. The surface of the water also changes to a crimson red colour, implying connotations of violence, blood and danger, linking to stereotypical thriller productions, resulting in an exciting clip.

• A figure of a man is reflected in the water, adding to the mystery as no one is aware who this man is or what his intentions are. However, the fact that he is silhouetted by the colour green suggests he is fuelled by envy and jealousy, as these colours are associated with these feelings.

• The scene then pans out, into an eye and continues to zoom out. This reveals a close up shot of a young girl talking. The mise en scene used portrays her as young and innocent, as she is wearing a white shirt buttoned up to the top. The connotations of white are usually associated with purity and innocence, contrasting to the previous opening of the film. This already puts the girl under a sense of vulnerability and adds to the suspense.

• The next part of the Thriller is set in a prison cell. The mise en scene of the cell includes lots of books, and pictures of dictators on the wall, including Stalin and Hitler, instantly signifying that this man is relatively well educated and interested in history. However, it is rather peculiar he has symbols of love and hate on his wall, which could possibly represent his character

• There is a mid-shot of a man’s back weightlifting, however his tattoos draw attention immediately, as he has the scales of justice inked on his back, linking to the picture of Jesus on his wall, and he is possibly seeking justice for actions in the past. The fact he is working out could suggest he is training for something, which leads to questions and mystery about his position, engaging and enthralling the audience.

• . As the man is released, he walks along the corridor past his other cell mates who are dead silent and watch him being followed by the guard. This shows just how respected and even feared the man is in the prison, by both the prisoners and the guard as he is being followed out of the prison, and not led. The idea of fear is also introduced in this instance, as repetitive strange music is played, reinforcing this man’s power and showing that the other men in his surroundings are fearful of him.

• As he leaves the prison, the man is asked whether anyone is picking him up, and the shake of the head shows he is on his own, and his family and friends may have abandoned him. This also suggests he is on the hunt for prey, linking back to the idea of the eagle in the opening of the thriller. The man also declines taking his books with him, stating ‘already read them’, hinting he has been in the prison for a long time. This could give the audience the idea he has committed a previous major crime, and he doesn’t portray a man who is willing to change his ways. On exiting the prison, he is greeted by thunder and lightning, representing his personality and power through nature- thunder and lightning is unstoppable therefore this man may be as well. To end the clip, the man walks directly into the camera, suggesting he is on the hunt and is coming for his prey.