Cape Fear

1991 Martin ScorseseStarring: 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

Bars create the feeling of safety and that he is trapped away. Exercising – shows vanity. The size of

him gives the impression that he does this regularly. This gives a sense of routine, and we get an idea of just how long he has been there.

Justice tattoo on his back.

Frame 6

Bars swung open – feeling of safety disappeared as convict

is set free

As he walks out, the prison guard knows his name, and all other prisoners are silent as he walks past. This suggests

that it is a character to fear and that he is notoriously dangerous. This heightens

the feeling of fear towards him.

Lots of books and unusual

pictures in the background. He

is intelligent, therefore a

credible threat to others.

Has a lot of tattoos, which have connotations of being tough and masculine. Has a tattoo of claw marks, suggesting he may have been injured in the past.

Looks menacing and creates tension as he walks past other convicts

Frame 7

Long shot – can see how large and depressing the

prison looks, and how small the character looks

in comparison

The weather is dark and stormy over the prison,

but appears to be more clear in the distance behind the prison. This creates a feeling

of doom and misery which surrounds the

prison. The fact the weather is

even darker past the prison and

over the character

suggests that the prison is nothing compared to him and foreshadows something bad

happening.

The lightening in the background adds dramatic

effect to the scene

Weather prepares audience for dark times to follow

He is wearing old clothes, suggesting he has been in prison for a long time

Frame 8Coming directly towards the camera – intimidating to

audience, creates the sense that he is coming to get you.

Seems calm and composed, violence is

nothing out of the ordinary to

him.

Has a look of hatred on his face

The dark clouds show that something bad could happen

Frame 9Complete contrast to where Cady

has come from

Point of view shot, as though

Cady is watching

Wealthy persons house – well kept, belongs to lawyer.

Shows the person living here is wealthy