Opening Sequence Analysis

The Duchess

Diegetic sound of birds and farm animals, is the first thing the viewer hears.  These create the homely country feel, which in the main character, Georgiana's opinion, is the safest environment.  A Clock chime is also heard when the marriage arrangements are taking place between the mother and the Duke.  This gives the audience the feeling of time passing, and emphasises the awkwardness of the conversation/company.

The opening sequence introduces the audience to Georgiana's characteristics as a young woman, and her playfulness and happiness amongst her friends and loved ones.  It also shows the audience one of Georgiana's bad habits, which is gambling, which becomes increasingly worse then the character begins to rebel further on in the film, and the audience will be able to cons

The close fondness of Georgiana and Earl Grey is also suggested to the audience.  Further on in the film,  Georgiana has an affair with Grey, and gives birth to his son.  It is important for the audience to be introduced to this relationship at an early stage, so that the affair does not seem to start quickly.  They can see that from a young age they have had a connection.

The status of Georgiana's family is also cleverly shown to the audience.  Long shots of the friends with the grand house stood firmly behind them, suggests the family's wealth and status in society.  This is then emphasised by the rich clothing, and flamboyant hair styles that the women and Georgiana wear.

The mother, and the Duke both wear red to show their dominance and confidence over Georgiana, whose innocence is shown through the pure, off-white gown.  In the Duke's case, it can be said that his clothing could suggest the danger, and power he has over his new wife.

This is an effective opening sequence, because the main themes of the film, such as money, marriage, heirs and lack of love  are shown to the audience during this opening sequence.  This is important for the audience to know the themes so they know the mood/atmosphere the film will possess.  We are also shown the relationships between the main characters, and the emotions they will feel towards each other.  We are shown the status of the characters and who will dominate who, through the colours and the style of costume.

Dorian Grey 

The first thing the audience hears in this opening sequence is strange syths.  These are not natural sounds.  Throughout the film, we learn that Dorian Grey never ages, but his portrait does.  Obviously this is not a natural thing that happens, so the syths illustrate this.  His supernatural appearance which is shown through the music, is then contrasted with the piano, which is a natural made sound.  This can be connected to when Dorian Grey first came to London, and was completely naive and innocent.  The music built the tension gradually throughout the sequence, and high pitched strings gradually began to dominate the music.
Throughout the opening sequence, greys, browns and blacks, created a muddy, dark atmosphere.  This creates the feeling of the unknown, and emphasises the tense emotions that the music has created.

The first shot we see is of Dorian in white clothing.  This could have been used to show the characters naivity and innocence.  However, when he stabs something, we see that the character in in fact violent and aggressive.  The white clothing was also used effectively because the red was emphasised by the white background.  This made a point of the danger and death, and illustrated that this would be a main theme in the film.

After Dorian has finished stabbing the object, he smells the blood stained scarf.  This suggests that the character is obsessed with the person/creature it has just killed.  It also suggests his carefree and emotionless feelings towards the other.

This squence is effective, because we are introduced to what characters in the film think of Dorian, for instance, the Policeman has not stopped Dorian with his blood leaking box.  This suggests that Dorian is high up in society, and is a well trusted/respected man, who would not be questioned.  However, throughout the opening sequence, the audience discover the murderer that Dorian becomes through mise-en-scene, and instanly become intrigued to watch how the character became like this, and why and who he has killed.