Ashamae Swyer

Phoenix Productions
Analysis of an opening sequence Shawshank Redemption

The sequence opens with a non-diegetic voiceover, provided by

Morgan Freeman. This voiceover can be heard as Freemans
character is walking in the yard of what appears to be a prison with
another character in a two-shot.

The diegetic sound of a siren can be heard as the voiceover comes

to an end, which confirms that the opening sequence takes place in
a prison.

Ashamae Swyer
Phoenix Productions

The voiceover starts again, with Freemans character giving the

audience a background story of how his character came to be in
prison. This is played over an establishing shot of the prison. A
tracking shot is also used, with a drone or helicopter most likely
following the prison bus as it drives towards the entrance.

The Shawshank redemption stoic theme can be heard as the camera

moves over the prison with a birds eye view, making the inmates
appear small and insignificant. An officer can be heard over the
theme, Officers to main gate.

Ashamae Swyer
Phoenix Productions

Freemans voiceover begins once again introduce Robbins

character, witch a close-up used to show the distain and fear on his
face.

The scene cuts to a medium shot of Freemans character, as he runs

to watch the arrival of the new inmates.

Ashamae Swyer
Phoenix Productions

This wide shot of the five officer induces fear into the new inmates,
and creates a sense of powerful authority, as they are also
coordinately dressed in the same navy-colour officer uniforms. The
navy colour connotes a sense of power.

The opening scene ends with an over-the-shoulder shot of the officer

taking up a post above the prison, with a riffle ready to shoot at any
time. There is also a low angle used, creating a hierarchy between
the inmates and officers, with the officers holding the power.