Research (1) : 'The Bourne Identity'

Analyzing successful films such as ‘The Bourne Identity’, in the thriller genre, is an effective way to understand what makes a good opening to a thriller film. The opening starts off with stormy weather and a man with gunshot wounds who found floating unconscious in the Mediterranean Sea. The use of dark weather sets an atmosphere of suspense, darkness is frequently used in thrillers. Brought ashore and nursed back to health by fishermen, he wakes up with amnesia. This is a psychological thriller as the character is on a quest of identity and the film is based on his mental health. The audience only knows as much as the character, (which is not much at all) and the foreign language adds to the curious feeling which alienates the audience, and also gives the feeling of being lost and vulnerable. The audience is plunged into the world of the character with the same lack of knowledge as him.

Camera position/angles

• Underwater shot; low angle looking up to the floating body.
• Camera movement unsteady; makes the audience part of the scene; rocky motion of the ship.

Editing

• Series of shots of him being pulled up.
• Black out used to create a point-of-view of the character.
• Reaction shot of fisherman's face.

These shots and positions are typical of thrillers as they demonstrate detail in terms of how the characters feel, i.e. the blackout and the rocking motion of the ship. There is also the low angle shot of the body which is from a distance, creating suspense and uncertainty.

Allowing audiences to feel uncertain, lost and in suspense are typical of thriller films. Some of the the ways in which this is acheived are stated above with only a few examples from the film.

Using the typical shots in the opening establishes the genre and creates the desired effect.

Sound

• Non-diagetic soundtrack used to create suspense and tension.
• Diagetis counds: thunder/lightening/creaking lights and floorboards on the ship
• Foreign language alienates audience

Mise-en-scene

• Cramped boat;men playing cards
• Stormy setting: isolation of the boat
• Contrast of the CIA office: calmness
• Worried look on CIA man's face

Thriller films work by combining all of the above to create an intellegent peice of film which builds the audiences' anticipation of what will come next. This opening is successful in acheiving the expected audience response as narrative enigmas are present. This is also proven as this film is a successful blockbuster and shows that people have been attracted to this film.




This film is a great example of a thriller and demonstrates the key elements into having a good opening scene.




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