The Prestige
Director: Christopher Nolan
Release: 2006
The narrative function of this opening sequence is to introduce the topic of the film, the secretive world of magicians. As such it displays the conventions of opening sequences, there are no immediate credits, the Warner Bros and Touch Screen Pictures logo is displayed and a voiceover asks the audience 'Are you watching closely?' which encourages them to pay close attention as this is a complex film.
The characters introduced are Alfie Borden (Christian Bale), Cutter, the engineer (Michael Caine), Mr Angier (Hugh Jackman)
The Prestige is set in Victorian times. This is evident from the old fashioned costume which is in keeping with the time period. The first shot the audience sees is an establishing shot of top hats in a forest. This creates enigma, the audience wonders why all those top hats are there. The camera then cuts to close ups of chicks in a cage and you can hear the birds chirping. Sound is a prominent feature in this opening sequence, from the voiceover to the sound of electricity crackling or the bubbling as Mr Angier drowns.
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