Cape fear 9 frame analysis
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This document provides 9 frames from the 1991 film "Cape Fear" directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, and Jessica Lange. The frames summarize key scenes from the film's opening and introduce the main antagonist, Max Cady, played by Robert De Niro, as he is released from prison and begins terrorizing the family of Sam Bowden, played by Nick Nolte. The frames analyze visual elements and symbolism to depict the ominous, foreboding atmosphere and build tension as Cady's threat to the family intensifies.
Cape fear 9 frame analysis
- 1. 1991 Martin Scorsese Starring: Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte & Jessica Lange Directed by Martin Scorsese CAPE FEAR
- 2. Frame 1 The sound of falling rain in The movie opens the with a Universal background ident. However, adds to the the image is gloomy subverted and atmosphere of presented in a the initial shot gloomy blue colour. The image also appears as if underwater. This links to a prominent location in the movie
- 3. 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. There is a reflection of an eagle which is a bird of prey which could be a connotation of hunting.
- 4. Frame 3 The camera slowly zooms The girl is out, stopping dressed in at a mid-shot white carrying of a girl in her connotations of late innocence and teens/early purity. twenties. The dialogue She is the speaks of the archetypal enjoyment the This scene creates victim of the young girl has uncertainty in the viewer genre. experienced in a as its overwhelmingly positive tone is a marked “magical” place, contrast to what is to the inaptly come. named “Cape Fear”
- 5. Frame 4 The movie opens with an establishing Cady’s wall shot showing is covered Cady’s prison in pictures cell. of historical figures, mar tyrs and super heroes. The choice of images suggests he respects absolute The camera The clip features power & gradually bombastic, gloomy aggression zooms out to orchestral Music and feels reveal the creating a sense of that he has scope of his foreboding/ been obsession. anticipation of bad mistreated. things to come
- 6. Frame 5 The fact he is in good physical The tattoo shows condition that he feels he indicates the didn’t get either menacing figure the truth or and people justice so he must should be bring this equality intimidated by upon himself. him. The mind of this character is The audience could feel warped by the safe, as the bars are in the idea of justice foreground which shows and law shown how he is separated from by the you and his back is to the decorations. camera and he has a concealed identity.
- 7. The prisoner officer calls his name so this shows he The idea that his body is covered in is well known and Frame 6 notorious and usually the other cell mates will jeer these tattoos makes him seem menacing and scary however the way he has them positioned and how they as they exit but for him He is being are symmetrical on his body show they don’t which really released from they have a strict relevance in his life. makes you understand his cell which how intimidating he is. is like releasing a villain back into the community and removing the protection the audience had. The books he leaves behind shows that he had been engrossed in them so The facial expression he has on his face much that they no longer are makes him look very serious and that he has Relevant which really comes across something to do immediately as he rushes that he has studied them in depth. out of the cell and walks out without smiling and showing any emotion.
- 8. There is no sunshine only dark Frame 7 clouds and grey skies which indicate how times will be bad from now on and that a storm is brewing and it He walks away at a swift pace showing determination will be striking soon. and how he is in a rush to get somewhere, when he is asked if anyone is picking him up he walks out alone really indicating how he is on his own from everyone else. The giant thunder cloud over head As he is walking away from the really makes the audience feel that prison it shows how he is he (Cade) is like a bolt of lightening leaving one thing behind him waiting to be struck. Building to begin a new stage of his life. tension until he is released.
- 9. There is half a side of darkness and half a side of light and inbetween is the head of the criminal which Frame 8 shows how one side is happy and this could indicate truth whilst the other is gloomy which could be a The facial expression is serious not a connotation of danger or justice and inbetween is slight hint of emotion but you feel the Cade and how he is the cause of this danger and how tension of the moment. he will disrupt the good, happy times. The character is very close up to the He has walked and as he has been camera which tries to make you walking he has walked in one scared and intimidated by him and direction straight for the camera his figure, the way he looks into the which really indicates how he is camera really contacts the audience. walking toward the audience and is coming for you!
- 10. Frame 9 The cameras point of view is from the The house is brightly lit by the bushes so it looks like someone is natural source of the sun which watching the house from a distance. shows happiness upon this house. The shadows are casted around the The house looks very posh which house and it looks like the darkness is indicates wealth in the household. approaching the house.