Analysis of the opening of Touch of Evil

This is the opening sequence of Orson Wells' 'Touch of Evil'

This sequence depicts a bomb being placed into the boot of a car. It is one smooth shot with only one cut in the sequence. This makes it interesting as most opening sequences have multiple cuts in them. The first thing we see is a bomb or some sort of device with a timer on it. It is being held by someone who activates the timer.

We then hear various diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, such as an echoey ticking of the timer, which adds to the feeling of suspense. We hear laughter, probably from a female character, which creates a sort of juxtoposition in the sequence as laughter usually symbolises happiness and bombs usually symbolise danger. The character then moves out of the way of the camera, which in turn moves. This rapid movement causes the audience to feel on edge and nervous, like the character. We hear music on the soundtrack, which suggests a party or night out. We then see the first character run across the frame and the camera tracks along a wall, as his shadow passes over it.

We see the character open the boot of a car and place what we assume is the bomb into the back. This causes the audience to wonder why this character is doing this and we wonder who the victims will be. This enigma prompts us to keep watching.

We then see another male and a female character walking to the car and getting in it. These must be the victims of the bomb planting. This revelation makes the audience want to know why they have been targeted. As the car starts to move, the music bursts into a jazzy tune which creates the feel of a good night out, not knowing the danger which lurks behind them. The car turns to a crossing/junction where a police officer/traffic conductor stops the and allows a car to pass.

This delay allows time for the camera to track backwards. It also creates a sense of urgency as they do not know the danger which they are in and the delay could mean that the bomb goes off in the wrong area. The car is stopped again, then it drives past another young couple. The camera locks onto this new couple and the car drives past.

We follow them as they walk through the busy street. We then reunite with the car which the bomb is in as it comes to a customs check, where we hear the first dialogue of the sequence. The people in the car and the couple which we followed through the street seem to be aquainted. The dialogue indicates that the man who was walking is some sort of investigator, and he is recognised by both the customs officer and the man in the car. After this sequence, we learn that the woman in the car can hear the bomb. We move back to the couple who begin to share an intimate moment.

However this moment is interupted by the sound of an explosion. We cut to the explosion of the car witht he bomb in it, and the opening sequence ends.

This sequence is interesting as it shows how it is possible to tell a story without cutting from one angle to another, and yet still have a variety of camera angles. It also creates enigma which encourages the audience to watch more. This sort of enigma is what we want to create in our own opening sequence.