RESEARCH INTO A THRILLER OPENING TITLE: A Clockwork Orange

 Thriller Opening Scene Analysis.

A Clockwork Orange, starring Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee and Michael Bates was directed by Stanley Kubrick and released in 1971 by Warner Bros. Pictures.

The film opens with credits for the studio and director, using both red and blue as background colours. Perhaps this could indicate to the criminalistic undertones to the film as they are the tones for a police siren. It can also be assumed that the colour shift foreshadows the tones for the film; violence (red), and stability (blue). The choice made here captivates the audience and encourages them to continue watching as the distinct hues are fairly unique, and makes them question as to why these decisions have been made for the piece. Additionally, an intense, sombre non-diegetic soundtrack plays over this, again indicating the film's darker themes.

This then transitions through a cut to a close up of a man who can be assumed as the main character due to the sudden change in scene. He is looking directly into the camera lens, breaking the fourth wall - this combined with the angle used suggests that perhaps the audience will get to know him on a more intimate and psychological level. His makeup of a ring around his eye also depicts the contemporary undertones of the film, as well as perhaps any psychological issues the man has as his choice cannot be considered as 'normal'. He holds a sinister look on his face with his head tilted down and a smirk on his lips, again indicating that he may have psychological issues and that he is a morally tainted man. Furthermore, the use of the black setting behind him can be considered as representing the dark tones of the narrative.

The camera then zooms out slowly, and eventually reveals two men sitting next to him; they both wear the same costume as him, implying that they are friends and are perhaps even in a gang or organisation of some sort. The two other men are not looking into the camera lens, further emphasising that the man in the middle is the main character and that the narrative will follow him. They come off as rather passive as they have dazed expressions, perhaps indicating that the main character is the leader of this 'gang'. Interestingly, they are all holding glasses of milk; this juxtaposes the mood of the men heavily, and could be considered as a metaphor as it is a rather unusual drink for older men.

Eventually, the camera presents the location in which the characters are in, and it holds a rather abstract atmosphere. Statue props of naked wax women in promiscuous positions are in various places. This portrays that the film is more mature, and is intended for older audiences. It also portrays that this film is set in a contemporary location as it is highly non naturalistic, which acts as a convention of thriller as it is unsettling and thought provoking.

It can be assumed that perhaps the film's narrative will follow that of the main character through his journey with his gang in a contemporary world; it is difficult to piece together the narrative from this short yet intense and highly stylised opening, but, it does grip the audience through the discomfort crafted due to how disturbing it is, which acts as a convention of a thriller. I personally believe that this opening is highly successful in capturing the essence of the genre and tone of the narrative because of this. It also clearly establishes its sociopolitical and contemporary themes to the audience.

THE TRAILER