Dead Man's Shoes

The film Dead Man's shoes is about a soldier who returns home to his small town and seeks revenge for his brother who was tormented by thugs whilst he was away. The film portrays a strong brotherly relationship which is even shown in the opening title sequence. 

The use of camera shots is cleverly used to set the tone of the film. Throughout the opening title sequence, there are many establishing shots used. These illustrate where the film is to be set, the countryside, which gives us an idea of the characters' backgrounds or motives. The establishing shots also do not allow us to see the characters' faces therefore creating an illusion and not allowing the audience to become focused on the characters, but more what is happening in the shot. We can see through these shots that the two characters, seemingly brothers, are undergoing a long journey which could be a euphemism for their journey together in life. In contrast to this, hand held shots are used to illustrate the home videos of the two characters when they are younger. The hand held shots illustrate that they are home videos, in contrast to the professional shots in the present, which create a nostalgic feel. The quality of the camera is different in the present and the past. High definition is used in the present and a grainy effect is used on the videos from the past. This contrast furthers the time difference between the two shots.  

Sound is cleverly used to evoke emotions from the audience. There is one song playing throughout the opening title sequence which relates to the idea of a journey because as the story progresses, so does the song. The music is upbeat and happy which shows that the memories in the past that are being shown are happy memories and it also presents the bond between the brothers as strong. The song sounds as though it is old from the quality of the music, which also reminds the audience of the importance of the past to the characters. It is also a good link between present and past as this song creates a nostalgic atmosphere. 

Mise en scene is used to set the scene for the audience. The present is illustrated as remote through the shots of the countryside and how they are the only people seen in the shots. The location also has a dreary and cold atmosphere as it is cloudy and dull. This could foreshadow the lives of the brothers or what is about to come later in the film. The past is illustrated as homely through the location of a home and things such as fair rides. This is a contrast to the present shots which could illustrate the difference between then and now. The clothing when they were younger is vibrant and colourful, as are the things around them, which again depicts a welcoming atmosphere. Contrary to this, in the present the characters are wearing dull and ragged clothing.

The editing in the opening title sequence is used to help convey the story. During the present shots, the editing is very slow. This reflects the length of the journey that the characters in the shots are undergoing. This makes their current lives seem tiring and dragging on, which depicts unhappiness. Contrast to this, the editing in the past is very slow which reflects how fast childhood goes by. This illustrates that the past brings good memories of good times for the characters and how it went by too fast for them. 

The font used in the opening credits is simplistic and white. The makers of the film chose a subtle and non distracting font so that the audience does not focus on the font but rather what is happening in the shots.