Shutter Island opening sequence timeline and analysis

Title sequence analysis.

The first titles to appear in this sequence are red and blurry, this makes them quite hard to read which gives a sense of disorientation. The main titles include the...

Director                      

Producer                     

Writer                         

Main cast                   

Editor                        

In this shot you can see a long dark and gloomy hallway that is lit from above and the back, there isn't much detail in this shot and it doesn't tell you too much about the film, it is just used to create a sinister effect.The red title is there to tell you who the film is by, the red also suggests danger and acts as a warning sign for the audience letting them know that something bad will happen. The titles are also have a very straight edge and are quite bold, this contrasts with the background which is quite messy and dirty.

This is a low angle shot of a large building with big black gates, this gives the impression of power as it looks big and powerful, it also shows that the gates have power because they are keeping somethiing in or keeping something out, they are portrayed as very important. you can also see guards behind the gate which implies there is something important behind the gate. The titles in this shot are white and bold, they stand out against the darker background but not enough to make the audience focus entirely on them.

The titles in this shot stand out more than the titles in the previous shots as it is not blurry and stands in front of an almost black background which draws the audiences attention to it. in the background there is fire which implies danger, this could foreshadow danger happening later on in the film.

This shot shows a large shoe (male shoe) standing on a gun, this shot starts to tell the audience that there will be weapons involved, there will be crime and danger.

The title again is against a contrasting colour so it stands out, it is also very neat and easy to read.

This shot shows a prison cell which suggests there will be crime and criminals in the film, it also gives a sense of power because there are people with the power to take control over criminals and lock them up. The titles are quite blurry because they move in and out of focus, this creates a disorientated atmosphere that puts the audience on edge because it creates a sense that something isnt right.

This shot creates suspense for the audience because the match lights up the shot which shows that it is the only source of light, This means that the person holding the match doesn't know what is beyond the light, this creates an atmosphere of mystery.

This is an establishing shot which tells the audience where the drama will take place in the movie, this particular location is quite sinister and creep as it is isolated and remote, this means that there is no way out of the island easily which can create suspense.

The final title is the main title of tthe film informing the audience of the name of the movie, the title is big, bold and red which draws your attention. The red suggests something threatening that makes the aus=dience want to know more.