From Russia with Love/Saw: Opening sequence analysis

The purpose of an opening sequence is to set up a sequence of enigmas, which is to be answered throughout the rest of the film. This presents the audience with a mystery building their anticipation and then they want to watch on in order for their unanswered questions to be answered. Ultimately, their interest is retained through the way there is no narrative closure, making them want to find out what the outcome is and keep watching.

  The sequence begins with  the studio titles which is MGM in this case, we then have a score over a graphic title; James bond at the end of a 'gun barrel'. From the score played over the graphic title, the audience can connote that this movie will be of the espionage thriller genre. We are then introduced to the actual opening sequence, this is uninterrupted.

In opening sequences of thrillers, the common techniques and conventions of enigmas created, result in the sheer anxiety, tension, uncertainty and excitement of the audience as they anticipate what’s yet to be unveiled in the course of the film.They include productions titles that are shown at the beginning which include the studio name, production company, ad also star cast followed by some other important people and finally ending with Director or Directed by. All opening sequences create enigmas in the audiences mind. Enigmas are used in order to keep the audience wanting o know what happens next in the movie, therefore keeping them interested.

 

Another common technique used in order to increase the audiences tension is non-diegetic score played to portray the atmospheric mood in many thriller films often hand played instruments such as violins are used of the score to create a somewhat gloomy and uprising atmosphere. For example in ‘Saw’ a subtle, foreboding, echoing score is played in order to drive the narrative forward. Quite a lot of the sounds played in the score are synchronous to the events taking place on screen such as the screeching sound of drain and screwing of metal devices and surroundings. The score also increases and becomes more dramatic when it reaches the climax of the opening sequence showing the man dead in the middle of the chamber. Different approaches to opening sequences may have a varied effect on the audience, but all opening sequences conventionally are used in order to set the mood of the movie, create enigma's and also to introduce the protagonist.

                                                      The opening sequence for "Saw"

The cinematography enables us to recognize ‘Saw’ as a thriller through the use of conventional common cinematic techniques such as prolonged cross-cutting which is shown when there is repeated cuts between the two characters showing a connection of some sort; also extreme zoom shots are shown on the key props such as the key, gun and tape recorder showing they are of importance/significance. Unconventionally in ‘SAW’ a birds-eye view shot is used when the man is waking up in the bath and to show the dead man in the middle of the chamber. The low-key lighting is commonly of significance to build a sense of fear and anxiety as the dark colors have connotations of being scary and frightening. This is heavily correlated with the use of smart editing. Fast paced camera work and zoom is used in the ‘saw’ opening sequence to show a sudden urge of fright and uncertainty as they realized they are chained up and there is a dead male in the middle of the floor. The increase of speed excites the audience and keeps them on their toes as the enigmas come to a close 

The opening of "from Russia with love" sequence begins with the protagonist being followed by another character, during the sequence we hear many synchronous sounds; e.g. a gunshot and footsteps. There is also a score composed of sounds of night such as crickets etc. The score is very low and is used to create a tense mood among the audience. As the scene goes on the score gradually gains tempo and continues to until the scene climaxes at the death of the protagonist, a mask is then lifted off the protagonists face, revealing that it is not the protagonist but in fact another person. This is a red herring, this is used in order to create further enigma's in the audiences mind.

Inevitably different approaches to introducing a thriller will affect audiences to feel and respond in a ascribed way. For instance in ‘From Russia With Love’ opening sequence, the director has built suspense and anxiety through a non-linear narrative; this contrasts with ‘Saw’ which is of a linear narrative. However although the narratives are different enigmas and other key techniques are created using two different approaches.