The Dark Knight opening analysis

Code and Conventions

Findings Textual Evidence

Creation of enigma.

Masks make characters have an unclear identity, also the last living clowns motivations are unclear. His revelation of his strange face leaves audience with questions as to why he is like that.

Prop – MasksMovement – Clown kills other clownsClose up – revelation of Joker

Introduction to characters

Joker is introduced at the end of the opening and his diegetic dialogue reveals his personal beliefs and his actions indicate his mental state. His costume also indicates his wealth and state of life. His gun prop also indicates his role in the film.

Diegetic dialogue – ‘Whatever doesn’t kill you simply makes you stranger’Prop – Gun, dangerousCostume – crumpled suit, poor and living unhealthilyVillain stock character

Setting up Plot

Money stolen, hero goes after villain?Villain has mental health issues and is dangerously psychotic.

Prop – MoneyStock character – villain

Pace and rhythm

Editing/mise en scene/camera

shots

Pace builds from slow to fast, then slows again for ending. The beginning starts slow but soon becomes fast suddenly; telling the audience about the pace that this film will have and that some parts will be slow but intense and then it will go straight to fast and intense situations.

Slow pace editing – beginning and endFast pace – actual heist in middle Continuous editing Jump cut – Harsh nature of filmEstablishing shot – setting and pace Quick cuts – tension and paceProps – guns and money, pace

Mood and tone (non diegetic

music)

The music is quite mechanic and disorientating, directly jumping from rhythm to rhythm and sometimes making scratching noises. The ambient and high key lighting that also goes low key at points indicates tone.

Non diegetic music – eerie and unstable, villainLighting – High key and low key, chiascuro.

The Dark Knight opening analysis