Analysing Film Openings - Dark Shadows

Scene Summaries - Dark Shadows First Two Minutes

After the credits fade to black, the black merges into water, and the camera is moved upwards, we can see many old fashioned boats in a harbour. Non-diegetic sound is playing; it sounds spooky and ominous, and oddly church/hymn like. The use of mise-en-scene is good here, because the lighting is dark, and there is fog/mist everywhere, which ties in well with the non-diegetic sound, giving the first few seconds a scary and mysterious feel. Old newspaper style white font appears on the right side of the screen, which says ‘Liverpool 1760’. This helps establish the setting and gives the audience an idea of what period this scene is set in.

The camera is moved forwards in a gliding motion, which mimics the motion that a boat would make when sailing, and as the camera gets closer to the harbour, a male narrative is introduced over the music.

The narrative says ‘It is said blood is thicker than water, it is what defines us, binds us, curses us. For some blood means a life of wealth and privilege. For others, a life of servitude.’ This helps add to the spooky atmosphere with the talk of blood and curses.

As this is being said, a boy and his parents are getting onto a ship docked at the harbour. From their attire, we can see that they are wealthy, which suggests they may possibly own the ship.

As the boy boards the boat, he looks back, and a POV shot is used to show a little girl standing at the harbour, looking back up at him, until her mother reprimands her for staring, and tells says ‘Remember your place, Angelique’

The narrative continues, and we cut to a high shot of the ship sailing across the ocean, on a bright, sunny day. New non diegetic sound is introduced at this point, less creepy and more majestic and quest-like, which is relevant to what the family are doing, they’re on a ‘quest’ to find the new world.

The narrator then says ‘When I was but a boy my father took us to the new world to expand the Collin’s family empire’. Contrast/juxtaposition is created here, on the way to the new world, the sun is shining, and it’s a beautiful day, as opposed to the ‘old world’ they were leaving which was dark and misty. Because the narrator identifies himself as the boy being shown, that helps the audience develop a relationship with him as he gives the audience more information on his life.

The narrator goes onto to talk about the empire that the Collins family built in the new world, and the camera shows the small town of Collinsport growing and expanding. 

The scene then cuts to a close of the boy, Barnabus, now grown up, with an also grown Angelique, kissing behind a curtain.

Angelique says ‘Tell me that you love me, Barnabus’

Barnabus freezes and stares at her, and she, hurt, pulls back slightly from his embrace. A POV shot is used then, focusing quite closely to Barnabus’ face, as he rejects Angelique’s love declaration, telling her he doesn’t feel the same.

The two minutes are ending, but this opening is intriguing, because it seems as though Angelique is going to have her revenge on Barnabus for his rejection.

 

*Opening scene shot*

The dark, foggy conditions suggest it’s not a nice place to live, and the lighting makes the whole scene seem really bland and dull due to the lack of colour.

*POV Barnabus screen shot*

Point of view shot from Barnabus perspective as he looks back to the harbour at Angelique. Suggests they have some sort of connection or relationship as he looks back before he leaves.

*Empire screen shot*

This shot shows a high, over the shoulder shot of the family overlooking their new home; it looks like paradise, and again creates a comparison of the old world.

*Collinwood 1 screen shot*

The shot of Collinwood being built merges into the shot of the newly finished Collinwood.

*Collinwood 2 screen shot*

This shot is filmed from a low angle, which helps make Collinwood look bigger, and gives it an air of importance of regality as the audience are looking up at it.

 *Angelique & Barnabus screen shot*

Close up two shot of Angelique, and the Collin’s son, who are kissing. There is a red tint to the scene as the red curtain that they’re hiding behind is in the light stream of the window, which makes the scene seem more romantic. Juxtaposition is created here, as Angelique asks Barnabus to tell her that he loves her. The romantic atmosphere is shattered once he tells Angelique that ‘if I told you that I love you, you would be hearing a lie’

 *Angelique screen shot*

A close up on Angelique’s face allows the audience to fully gauge her emotions, and she looks extremely hurt before her face hardens.

This is another film that uses voiceover / narration well to help establish the characters and their situation. This film also shows how important casting is, as you need the actors to look the part and convince the audience straight away.