Analysis of a Horror Film Opening

The Woman in Black

The opening scene of the Woman in Black appears to be set at a childs tea party.
Although the audience cannot see any of the characters the tea set decorated with
birds indicates that they are probably a young girl who is very graceful and angelic,
judging by the manner of which they pour the imaginary tea. The non- diegetic sound
of what sounds like a music box creates a clash in terms of what the audience is
supposed to feel when they hear it. In many ways the sound of the music box should
be comforting and reassuring as you would associate the sound with children who
are young and innocent but at the same time it is rather sinister and chilling as a
result of the sound being used in previous films to create the effect. The non- diegetic
sound then takes away the innocence and fun of the tea party, along with the slow
motion effect the mood is now dark and uncomfortable. The diegetic sound of the
dolls smashing emphasises the characters lack of care for their belongings which
alerts the audience that they are acting out of character as only a few seconds prior
this they were taking great are of them and nurturing the dolls as if they were real.
The first we see of the characters is through a long shot which tells us there are three
young girls. The long shot establishes the location which appears to be an attic in a
period home. The era is suggested through the antique props used, also the clothing
of the three girls gives the impression that is set in Victorian times. Most of the toys
that they are playing with are porcelain; the director may have done this purposely to
perpetuate the idea of the girls being fragile and innocent. A point of view shot from
an unknown character shows all three girls simultaneously turning their heads,
which creates a sense of supernatural activity within the film.
Then, another shot of three windows from the point of view of the three girls. The
camera slowly zooms in on the three windows, making them the subject and bringing
the audience onto the scene. The use of three windows and three girls could also
suggest that there is something supernatural about the film as it references the
significance of the number three which is the trinity: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
The long shot of the girls walking towards the window shows their facial expressions
to be very serious, almost if theyre being controlled which contrasts with the close up
of the girls earlier on in the scene in which they were smiling and laughing; this
informs the audience that something isnt quite right and indicates that something
bad is going to happen.
The iconography of the pastel coloured dresses the girls are wearing contrasts heavily
with the events that are about to occur. The girls are dressed in pastel pink and
creams which suggests purity and innocence yet they appear to be in some ways
possessed ever since they turned their heads to the unseen character. The three girls
then proceed to simultaneously throw themselves out of the three windows. The
build-up of music allows the audience a short moment of acknowledgement before
the diegetic sound of a scream pierces the audiences ears, making them feel very

distressed and uncomfortable. The scene ends with a long shot of the three open
windows with a dark, veiled figure in the right hand side of the frame, creating a
sense of enigma. This leaves the audience with a question of whether this was the
antagonist of what just happened or if they were just a helpless witness.