Analysing the opening scene of ‘The Dawn of the Apes’

Analysing the opening scene of ‘The Dawn of the Apes’:

In the opening scene of ‘The Dawn of the Apes’, the medium shows the leader of the group of the apes. The medium shot shows a close image of this character, it gives him a mysterious film as the audience don’t know who he is or what part he has to play, this therefore creates an enigma. The leader raises his arm up in the air, this is shown through zooming out from the medium shot. The arm in the air also creates enigma as the audience don’t know why he is in that position.

There is no sound until a drum is hit. This is an off-screen but diegetic sound as the characters within the film can hear it. The audience at this point still doesn’t know what is happening therefore entices them to see what is going on.

A medium shot is placed on a group of apes who run into the forest as the drum is hit. They’re followed through a tracking shot. The lighting is very dark and mysterious, creating and eerie feel and very solemn. Through the medium shot the setting is shown, it shows a large wooded forest, there is then a quick cut to a shot of apes swinging through trees. This shot then cuts to a shot of the apes still swinging through trees by the camera angle is a low angle looking up. This creates a sense of power from the apes and makes the audience feel uneasy.

A non-diegetic drumming sound is in the background, until an ape appears on a tree branch and screeches. The screech is an on-screen diegetic sound. It would make the audience jump, making them scared as there is a sudden commotion. The music suddenly gets louder and more intense, this is a non- diegetic sound. There is then sounds of screeching from monkeys and twigs breaking as animals run away.

A medium close up shot shows two apes in the forest alone. This makes the audience focus on them and creates an enigma of what their relationship is, there seems a bit of tension between them as one ape shrugs off the other and walks away. They both look emotional. The apes carry spears which shows a sense of power about them. The spears are typically seen as weapons therefore making the audience wonder if the apes are dangerous.

A panning long shot follows a parade of apes, some of whom are on horseback and some who are walking. Those who are on horseback are perceived as higher up in the hierarchy. They all look solemn as they walk up to a place which looks like a community home. Again medium shots are shown of the two apes from earlier in the scene.

The ‘home’ of the apes are shown through a long establishing shots which pans, the location seems to be in the middle of nowhere. The built homes show intelligence from the apes, showing their capability.

At the very end a long shot shows a commotion as a group of apes ‘go about their business’ whilst one just stands looking bemused and upset, this creates enigma as there has been no proper introduction to the characters therefore the audience don’t know who’s side to be on.