Big Combo

9 Shot Analysis

This is 5th in line in the title sequence, the main actors and actresses appearing beforehand. The conventional black and white is presented by using white text against a black background city scene. This city scene is a typical element of film noir and is shown a lot throughout the opening sequence. An extreme long shot is used to show this view. The font adds character and suggests what type of film it is. The full title sequence takes approximately one minute thirty seconds- also a seemingly expected convention.

Here we see a long shot of a crowded street, this gives the audience a feel for the atmosphere of the film, and helps them understand the date and location in which the film is set. It links into the next screen shot as this shows the public streaming in to watch a boxing match.

This boxing match helps us understand the situation of the film, e.g.. it may suggest that it is about tough fights between hard-boiled detectives and powerful men, not a flimsy love film. Again, this screen shot links into the next as it lets the audience identify where the scene is set and where the woman is running, and possibly why.

This is a low angled shot as the camera appears to be positioned on the floor looking up at the action. The actors run past the camera as if it isn't there, this gives a ‘fly on the wall’ effect for the audience as they are catching in on the secret goings-on that the people in the film can’t see. This keeps the mystery of film noir.

Match on action editing is used to show the woman opening the door in one room and coming through the door into another room. This helps the film flow so it isn’t jumpy, which keeps the professionalism up.

Although this is best described as a mid-shot, you could also argue it is a framing shot, as the woman is in the middle of the two men. It pulls the main focus onto her and may suggest how she is feeling trapped after trying to escape. It also shows how she feels like the odd one out.

A close up shows the woman’s emotions and you can tell she is thinking as she decides to change her mind about staying at the boxing match, the camera zooms out to allow a mid-shot of the three characters again.

At this point the music becomes more apparent and sounds cautious and dangerous, to suggest the man the camera is focusing on over-heard the conversation between the woman and the two men. This screen shot shows typical characterisation of a film noir, the costume, the facial expression, the music, and especially the dark shadows cast over half of the man’s face, giving him a suspicious look.

Again a street view is shown, this time with a police car. This is expected as most film noirs contain some sort of violence or act against the law, in which the police or a detective have to solve the crime. This leads the audience into the real action as we see the police car pulling up.