'The Shawshank Redemption' Opening Analysis

Shot list of opening

Shot 1: Wide two shot of characters walking towards camera before a mid shot, cuts to:

Shot 2: Mid close up of the two characters, cuts to:

Shot 3: Mid close up of protagonist, cuts to:

Shot 4: Wide shot track car on road before pan establishing shot of building, cuts to:

Shot 5: Mid shot of man in car, camera moving forward until it is a close up, cuts to:

Shot 6: Mid tracking shot of protagonist running up stairs before becoming wide shot, cuts to:

Shot 7: Shot of car coming towards opening gates, cuts to:

Shot 8: Over-the-shoulder shot from behind driver looking out of car window, cuts to:

Shot 9: Shot of two officers running out of building before panning to car arriving in courtyard.

How are character types established?

The first scene is of two men walking towards the camera casually in a rough area. It appears to be a prison courtyard, by the end of the first scene. This shows the characters to be convicts in a hostile environment. The voice over by one of the characters, assumedly the protagonist, tells us who he is and some general narrative. He appears to be small and trapped within the prison, yet through angles and shots looks knowledgeable and strong. The two seem to be opposing each other. The man with him throughout the scene appears to be quite close to the protagonist. The clothing the two of them are wearing look old and worn out. The only other character is the man in the car near the end of the opening, who is also briefly described by the protagonist in the voice over and is entering the prison. He is young and wears cleaner clothes, obviously not used to a life in prison.

How is location established?
This is the front that the opening of 'The Shawshank Redemption' succeeds on. The establishment of location is done extremely well in a unique manner. The pan of the building, along with the music, sets the location and theme perfectly. The building is made to look huge and important, with the, what looks like, prisoners inside the courtyard looking small and trapped in comparison; rather like ants scurrying around. The many gates around the huge building shows how confined the people within are, including the two characters at the beginning, one of which seems to be a protagonist. The building is made to look even more important, as the music starts on the establishing shot of it.

How is the narrative constructed?
Mainly through the voice over of the protagonist, who explains who he is and gives a basic plot of the film straight away, explaining some of the things that will happen and who the person is in the car at the end. The style of speech the character uses shows the sort of character he is; hardened and used to his life as a 'con' within the prison. Most of the narrative is through the voice over, with the rest following the car. The shots of the car and the man inside show them both to be of importance. Why are all of the prisoners rushing to see the car's arrival? Who is the man? These questions should be running through the viewers mind, making them want to view more of the film.

How does the opening reflect the genre of the film?

It isn't that obvious what the genre is from the opening. It could lead to many different genres. But it does fit quite nicely into the drama genre, which is quite a loose genre anyway. It does have a very realist nature to it, with the lighting making it seem very real. The shots are quite long and slow, as well. You know that it isn't a fast action film from the length of the shots and the narrative. It's shown to be more real and a part of the drama genre.

Is the opening appropriate for a film of this genre?

Yes. As said above, it fits quite nicely into the drama genre. Something about the opening feels very real. I think you can expect the film to focus on very real subjects from the opening, meaning that it does achieve in what it aims to. The shots are slow and very realistic. I suppose one way to describe the opening is rather dark and gritty. The costumes and props are dirty and worn. I believe that the opening has been edited to be more grey to suit the more realistic themes within the film.

How have the titles been used?
Note: I cannot find the titles online and will have to wait until I have access to the film; possibly this coming weekend.

In your view, is this an effective opening?

Very much so. The dark, realistic, rather intense music along with the unique style in which the scene is shot make you want to keep watching. I, myself, have not watched the entire film yet due to certain themes in it, but this opening has admittedly made me want to view it. The premise and style left me excited to see more, which is what every opening aims to do. The use of shots, especially the establishing shot of the building, are well thought out and work for the film. This is another film with an opening which matches the success of the film itself.

'The Shawshank Redemption' delivers on the opening front, making viewers want to dive into the film before it has properly started; as any film should do.