Film Noir openings

This is the opening to the film Double indemnity. We can see many of the conventions of Film Noir in just the short opening to this film. We can see it is set in America in L.A. in around the 1940's a classic setting for film noir. We see they are wearing the iconic hat and long coat that we see so many of the male characters wear in Film Noirs. We are introduced to a male investigator who appears to be the main character which is what many would say the stereotypical lead role is in this genre. We also see some interesting camera angles and the use of shadows and lighting.



This is the opening to Alfred Hitchcock's film Strangers on a Train. This opening is similar to the previous opening in some cases but different in others. In this opening it includes non diegetic music as does the Double Indemnity opening. However in this case it seems to be much more up beat. In this opening things are hidden from the audience as it follows two mens feet until they meet on a train. This enigma code leaves the audience wandering who these two people are and why there meeting seems to be highlighted as important. This opening is different to th previous one in the way that the shots are clear to see what is going on and much better lit and set in the day which is unconvetntional. Compared to the previous opening set conventionally in the dark for a mysterious tense atmosphere that the music helps create. This opening on the otherhand is more upbeat but still carries the element of mystery.



In this opening we see a lot of the film noir conventions again. We see the classic setting at night of which appears to be a robbery which is conventional as most film noirs start with a crime. They are wearing the iconic hat and long coat and one appears to reach for a gun. It also ends with a death and the a feeling of mystery which is also a common theme in film noir openings.