Opening Sequence Essay - Paragraph 4 - Andy Taken Into Shawshank Via Bus

Question 1

Darabont takes the audience on this journey with Andy, how does he achieve this?

Answer 1

Through his apt use of a POV shot

Question 2

As Andy and the other prisoners are brought into Shawshank in the bus the guards swarm it like vultures, what does this imply?

Answer 2

That the guards are viscous predators and the prisoners are meal prey. This insinuates that Andy is entering a dangerous, hostile environment and dashes the audiences hopes for Andy’s future and security.

Question 3

Once the bus is inside, the prison guards stand in a line bathed in light, what does this imply?

Answer 3

They are meant to be the law and that they are meant to be good. It also symbolises the life of law and discipline that Andy is entering and allows the audience to feel the weight of his confinement and his hope as it is quashed by the harsh authority within the prison.

Question 4

Swelling, non-diegetic string background music is used, why?

Answer 4

To instil fear and hope within the audience . Expertly adds to the foreboding and disturbing atmosphere created within the opening sequence. This again helps to convey the theme of hope and hopelessness within the film.