DYM Homework 2: Film Opening Analysis

I've chosen to analyse the opening scene of The Dark Knight (2008).





Enigma Code:

• 1:24 - Why does he have a mask, and what does it mean?
• 1:58 - Who is 'The Joker' ?
• 2:16 - Are they going to succeed in robbing the bank?
• 2:53 - Who is the man sitting in the chair? 
• 3:00 - How are they going to open such a secure vault ?
• 3:42 - How are they going to escape?

Action Code:

• 1:18 - We expect that there will be a heist when he fires the grappling hook. 
• 1:32 - As the car drives up we assume that his partners are inside, or it could be a set up.
• 1:48 - He loads his gun, so we know he is preparing for a gunfight. 
• 2:04 - They look around before entering the bank. The police could be on to them already, or they could enter the bank without anyone seeing them.
• 2:15 - The firing of the first gun starts the action - we don't know if the criminals are going to get shot, or take control of the bank.
• 2:43 - As he points his gun at his partner's back, we assume that he will shoot him, but the partner might disarm him and fight back.

Semiotic Code:

• 0:54 - The tall skyscrapers suggest an urban setting such as New York. 
• 1:21 - He has the same mask as the two men shown previously, which tells us that they are working together. 
• 2:54 - The man's calmness tells us that he is an important and powerful character.
• 2:09 - The robbers are running which suggests that they have very little time. 

Cultural Code:

• 1:47 - We know that the three men are criminals due to their clothing, masks and guns. 
• 2:14 - Other than the location, the shots fired in the air and the screaming tells us that it is a bank robbery. 
• 3:45 - We assume that he is a businessman because he is wearing a suit and tie. 

Symbolic Code:

• Evil - Guns, violence, robbery
• The Joker - The robbers only know rumours about him which suggests that he is a mysterious character. Their masks also represent him.
• Betrayal - There are several examples in the clip where a criminal is shot by another.