Film Opening Analysis 2: Les Misérables

The film opens with the idents of Universal, Camack international and Working Title Films.

The first scene that we see is a low angle shot, underwater, looking up at a French flag floating in the water. An introductory caption appears which gives the time period (1815), and gives you an idea of what the film is about. Diegetic sound of waves crashing can be heard and also a very faint, non diegetic sound drums of drums playing. These sounds build up a tense atmosphere.

As the camera moves upwards, towards the surface of the water, the flag can be seen clearer. The flag is dirty and ripped in places to show that perhaps a fight or battle has occurred. The fact that the flag is in water further contributes to this idea. 

The camera continues to move upwards and then suddenly breaks from the water. The non diegeitic drums that could be heard up until this point, now become full music. The music is loud, fast and dramatic. The filming up until now is almost in Point of view which engages the audience as it is as though they are there in the water. However, when the camera surfaces, it moves upwards above the water and travels over the body of a ship which looks very battered, adding to the concept of a battle or war. 

There is now an establishing shot of a harbour in which what seem to be men, standing in lines. As the camera zooms in further we can see that they are pulling ropes.

 The camera then moves down further so that we can see that these men are perhaps slaves or prisoners as they look very unkempt and are working hard. The have also got chains around their necks. There are a few large waves which crash over the men, representing that they are oppressed and insignificant to others. 
As the men struggle to pull the ropes, the give a collective shout or grunt, presenting the idea that they are all suffering together. This also could show that others see them as 'one' group of unimportant people rather than individuals. 

There is then a medium close up of one of the prisoners and he looks up. Following his gaze, the camera cuts to a wall of the harbour. There is a man standing on top of it. As the camera moves upwards to him we can see that he is in uniform and in charge. The way in which he is standing further shows his rank. As we come closer to his face, we can see that he is looking very sternly down at the prisoners, and though they are suffering a great deal, he shows an immense lack of compassion.

The camera then cuts back down to the prisoners. The same man who looked up at the guard now begins to sing. The song's lyrics go "look down" which is urging them to keep working and not look at the guards. In a way the song is hopeful as there are lyrics such as "when I am free" which shows that they are trying to keep hoping for the future. 

Allthough the song is telling him not to, the prisoner who can be established as the main prisoner looks up at the same prison guard. This is almost an act of defiance, and perhaps we can gauge that he is a rebellious character. 

There is another medium shot of the workers which again reinforce that they are suffering a lot and exemplifies the harsh conditions in which they have to work. 

There then follows some close ups of the workers, they have long beards, cuts on their face and ripped clothes. This again adds to the idea that they are suffering a lot. Their appearance and also they work they are having to do may cause sympathy towards the workers and therefore the workers become almost likeable, whereas the prison guards, who shows their lack of compassion are seen as unlikeable. 


There is an over the shoulder shot of the same guard who appeared earlier, and past him, the prisoners can be seen. This emphasizes his power and importance.

Then the work seems to be over and the prisoners are walking away from the ship. The choral plodding noise of their feet almost matches the beat of the music still playing and shows their uniformal suffering and unhappiness. The men also trod on the same French flag which was seen previously. This could be representation of their hatred towards the French law, as they were imprisoned by it.