1. Skyfall Opening SequenceSkyfall Opening Sequence
AnalysisAnalysis
Harry LawteyHarry Lawtey

3. SoundSound
► The song used creates a interesting mix of glamour and impendingThe song used creates a interesting mix of glamour and impending
doom. It is this feeling that lingers through all the Bond films. On thisdoom. It is this feeling that lingers through all the Bond films. On this
occasion it is done with the use of jazzy instruments played in theoccasion it is done with the use of jazzy instruments played in the
minor key.minor key.
► The first line of the song is “This is the end”. At this point the audienceThe first line of the song is “This is the end”. At this point the audience
have just seen Bond shot, therefore leading us to question hishave just seen Bond shot, therefore leading us to question his
immortality. This is followed by “hold your breath” relating to how heimmortality. This is followed by “hold your breath” relating to how he
has just plunged into waterhas just plunged into water
► Towards the end of the sequence Adel sings the word “Skyfall” at theTowards the end of the sequence Adel sings the word “Skyfall” at the
same time as a silhouette of the former Bond residence is shown. Thissame time as a silhouette of the former Bond residence is shown. This
reinforces the good correlation between what we are hearing and whatreinforces the good correlation between what we are hearing and what
we are seeing in the mise en scene.we are seeing in the mise en scene.

4. Mise En SceneMise En Scene
► At the beginning of the sequence we see what appears to be a sea creature in the water butAt the beginning of the sequence we see what appears to be a sea creature in the water but
we can then see it is in fact James Bond as gun target. This represents how Bond is awe can then see it is in fact James Bond as gun target. This represents how Bond is a
targeted man in the film. The Target is also leaking blood. Blood I water has intertextuality withtargeted man in the film. The Target is also leaking blood. Blood I water has intertextuality with
JAWS and this will become immediately apparent with a contempory audience. It may suggestJAWS and this will become immediately apparent with a contempory audience. It may suggest
that he is attracting dangerous attention.that he is attracting dangerous attention.
► We then see a short interlude where falling knives become grave stones. This foreshadowsWe then see a short interlude where falling knives become grave stones. This foreshadows
what is to come in the film as Javier Bardem’s character is killed with a knife, at a graveyard.what is to come in the film as Javier Bardem’s character is killed with a knife, at a graveyard.
► Next Bond sees silhouettes of himself attacking him. The represents that Bonds problems areNext Bond sees silhouettes of himself attacking him. The represents that Bonds problems are
self inflicted. The last of these silhouettes is actually of Bardem’s character. This connotes thatself inflicted. The last of these silhouettes is actually of Bardem’s character. This connotes that
after conquering himself, he must then conquer him. After watching the film we see this is inafter conquering himself, he must then conquer him. After watching the film we see this is in
fact the case.fact the case.
► Towards the end of the sequence we can see a Chinese dragon heading straight at theTowards the end of the sequence we can see a Chinese dragon heading straight at the
camera in the mise en scene. It is clear to see that one of the reasons that this has been putcamera in the mise en scene. It is clear to see that one of the reasons that this has been put
there as it would lend itself well to 3D, which was of course an option when the film wasthere as it would lend itself well to 3D, which was of course an option when the film was
shown. The Asian story line in the film is once again an attempt to capitalise on the increasingshown. The Asian story line in the film is once again an attempt to capitalise on the increasing
popularity of western cinema in Asia. For this reason the film demonstrates intertextuality withpopularity of western cinema in Asia. For this reason the film demonstrates intertextuality with
the most recent of the Wolverine movies.the most recent of the Wolverine movies.
► Most of the film is animated allowing the lighting to be constantly adjustable. This doesn’t allowMost of the film is animated allowing the lighting to be constantly adjustable. This doesn’t allow
the audience to settle in a scenario therefore keeping them on edge.the audience to settle in a scenario therefore keeping them on edge.

5. Editing + CameraEditing + Camera
►Both the camera work and editing is fastBoth the camera work and editing is fast
moving yet remains with a fluid quality. Thismoving yet remains with a fluid quality. This
helps maintain the audiences interest in ahelps maintain the audiences interest in a
sequence that essentially is not for theirsequence that essentially is not for their
enjoyment. It also makes the hints for theenjoyment. It also makes the hints for the
plot line slightly more ambiguous to stop theplot line slightly more ambiguous to stop the
audience from guessing.audience from guessing.

6. Editing + CameraEditing + Camera
►Both the camera work and editing is fastBoth the camera work and editing is fast
moving yet remains with a fluid quality. Thismoving yet remains with a fluid quality. This
helps maintain the audiences interest in ahelps maintain the audiences interest in a
sequence that essentially is not for theirsequence that essentially is not for their
enjoyment. It also makes the hints for theenjoyment. It also makes the hints for the
plot line slightly more ambiguous to stop theplot line slightly more ambiguous to stop the
audience from guessing.audience from guessing.