Horror film evaluation of opening scene- Saw 1



 

The film is introduced with the titles coming up over a black screen, there are sounds of water, spluttering and coughing. This is an enigma code as the audience are having questions running round in their head for example; who is it? Is he drowning? Is someone doing this to him? This is a brilliant way to start a horror film as it keeps the audience engaged and interested.

The first few words said are from a young man- "help! somebody help me!", this creates a really worrying atmosphere as men are usually the heroic and story characters therefore something really bad must be happening. The next sound that is present is a deep calm voice of a man saying you’re not dead just calm down.

Eventually when there is light there is a young man whose clothes are battered and he is sweating and shaking can see another man in the same state in front of him. They both look very confused until they both look down and see a dead person lying on the floor in a pool of blood. They have a look of horror in their faces as they both look away and there is a non-divergent noise of the main man gagging and gasping for air.

There is a spooky and almost medical music in the background that creates a horrifying mood and builds up lots of suspense. The two men are standing in a public toilet that is very run down, with blue lighting which creates a cold and scary feel. It is very dirty and looks deserted which makes the audience wonder where on earth they are!

There is a very effective shot of a bird eye view where a man is lying on the floor. The shiot does not need to pan or track as the scene has enough to look out whithout any fancy camera angles. Another shot that is effective is an extreame close upon the mans face with the grusome fleshy face that has been tortured. this makes the audience feel sick.