Film Opening Research #2 - Murder on the Orient Express

how many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film? There is one title prior to the actual footage in the opening scene. It is a black screen with blue type written ink spelling out "Murder on the Orient Express". The black screen then slowly fades into what looks to be a sunrise which is an example of parallelism. The next title is during the establishing shot when the camera is panning the city then focuses in on the people and the wall and says "The Waiting Wall, Jerusalem, 1934". The date in this scene can really help the audience understand the time frame of the film.

what images are prioritized in the opening sequence? Some images that are prioritized in the opening sequence are the panning of the city, which is symbolic of the timeframe, and a little boy running through the peaceful town where everyone seems to be praying at the Waiting Wall. The scene of the boy is very significant because the suspenseful music makes it seem like someone is chasing the boy for whatever he is holding in his hands, yet the reason he is running is simply to delivery eggs on time 

what connotations do the images carry? The images carry importance to the main aspects of the film, the boy, and the time frame.

how is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? detective/mystery is not really shown yet this early in the clip. I believe it starts to get more mysterious as the plot continues. 

how does the film establish an enigma from the outset? The film establishes an enigma by using the little boy as such as an important character in the opening scene. The little boy runs back and forth over town just to get new eggs for someone who looks to be of high power. This gets the audience wondering if the little boy is a chef or if his father is a chef. 

what strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? Honestly, murder on the orient express does not really evoke any sense of mystery/detective at all. It just seems like an older film that may be a war movie.

how has technology been used effectively? technology has been used effectively by using symbolism in the editing at the beginning when the title turned into a sunrise.