Cape Fear

1991 Martin ScorseseStarring: Robert De Niro, Nick

Nolte & Jessica Lange

Frame 1 The 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 5Working out shows he is a powerful figure and that you should be afraid of.

Scale tattooed on his back saying truth and justice , he feels like its his responsibility to bring the people who sent him down to justice.

Bars in the backgroundShow that the people are Safe because he is behind Bars.

His back is toward the camera which makes us wonder who this man is.

Frame 6The bars are open so this shows he is being let free.

Books in the backgroundSuggest he reads a lot.

Putting shirt on shows he is going somewhere.

Shape of his bodyShows he works out A lot.

Very well know in the prison.When he walks out its silent.

Frame 7

See him leaving the prison

When guard asks him if he wants his books andhe says no he read themshows he likes reading.

Big gates and big walls show that anyone in there cannot get out.

Frame 8Close up on face shows us that he will be a main characterthrough the film.

Doesn’t show any emotion so it shows that he isn’t an emotional man.

A little bit of a smile which shows he is happy to be out.

Frame 9Brightly happy house.