The Woman In Black Opening Scene Analysis
we are first introduced to the movie with and close-up image of children playing with tea cups accompanied by eerie, creepy music. From the use of tea cups the audience are automatically given the idea that the film is set in England as tea is a very stereotypical item associated with England. This gives away the location for the film, suggesting to the audience it is set somewhere in England. In addition to this, from the use of the tea cups and old dolls the audience is given an idea as to what era the movie is set in. The use of the clothing of the characters also portray this.
The music featured in the background is seen as very eerie and creepy. It is slow, calm and makes the audience feel on edge. From this, the audience is given notions of death and mortality and they are left with an uncomfortable feeling. This could be foreshadowing the feelings the audience may endure throughout the film and could foreshadow future events.
We are then able to see a medium shot of three girls sitting on the floor all staring in the same direction. They have all stopped playing with their toys at exactly the same time which suggests that they are shocked at something. This leads the audience thinking about a possible character that is going to be introduced within the narrative – possibly the basis of the film plot. This shot creates the feeling of paranormal activity as they all slowly turn their head in the same way as if they have seen a ghost – suggesting a possible narrative. In addition to this, the music is starting to get louder which is emphasising on this particular part of the opening – suggesting it is an important factor. This suggests to the audience that something bad may be about to occur and gets the audience ready for the possible evens. The loud music connotes danger and panic – two possible outcome for the events about to follow.
The next few shots show the three girls getting up and walk towards the window. We see the girls stepping on their beloved toys, which again suggests the idea of paranormal activity, showcasing the ideas of ghosts as they were careful with them a few shots before but are overcome by an evil force, making them break their toys. As they are walking they are all look at something, which intrigues the audience as to what It could be. We are able to see a gormless expression on the three girls faces, which portrays the idea that the life has been sucked out of them – they are possessed.
We then see the girls jump out of the widow, an act that children which do not usually peruse. This again reinforces the idea that they are possessed by an evil spirit. Because of this, the audience are given a clear idea of the narrative; the idea that the ghost will be the antagonist throughout the film. The audience is given the idea that the ghost will be killing characters throughout, which leaves the audience intrigued as to why and what is the reason for it. The music then cuts out and we hear scream shouting ‘my baby’ presumably the mother of the children. The idea of possession is again reinforced here and gives a clear idea of the narrative of the film to the audience, and gives away the genre - a horror from the iconic scream seen in most horror films.
In the last few seconds of the opening scene, we can see a woman dressed in all black, what looks to be a funeral outfit. This not only connotes ideas of death and mortality to the audience but portrays ideas to the audience that this is the antagonist within the film as the woman seen matches the title ‘The Woman In Black’.
