1. Gran Torino Film Opening
Analysis

2. Opening Titles
• The introduction starts with a unusual
look at the Warner Bros. logo.
• Here suggests that the black
and white logo shown links
to the story of Walt Kowalski stuck in
his mind of the 1950s and creates a
instant mood of concealment for the film
which slowly gives you the idea of a
establishing genre.
• The message communicated is of a dark
and mysterious one giving the viewer a
good first loom at what the film is
presenting

3. Opening Titles
• The titles obscurely dissolve away into
the next one, suggesting to us that it is
trying to tell that the mood is now setting
towards a negative or unsure one.
• On top of this, the theme song of the
film starts lightly playing and creates a
another atmosphere of a saddened
emotional feel that makes the viewer
take the time to think.
• This is shown in the first few seconds of
the film and shows that you are getting a
message across already.

4. Opening Titles
• The music is a instrumental tune from the
theme song. The song sets a relaxing mood
as it is slow and leisurely in its sound.
• This suggests that the film has soul emotion
in it even from the dark first appearance of
the film.
• The film’s name is shown:
• This title appearance shows just before the
first scene creating the last set mood for the
viewers to feel. The title’s font is of a metallic
one where it shows the effect of a rustic
view.

5. Camera Shots
• The first scene starts with a establishing
shot of a church in a urban area to set
the main scene. This shot lasts for around
5 seconds so it gives a good look and
idea of what is to come in the next
scene.
• The shot moves to a mid shot of a victor
playing a organ in the church. This
suggests that there is some kind of a
assembly in there, therefore setting the
scene.

6. Camera Shots
• The next shot then comes to another
establishing shot in the church where it
shows people gathering for a funeral. This
shows evidence towards the emotional
atmosphere made at the start.
• A panning shot occurs when a elderly man
gets up from his seat and walks to the main
character. This pan follows him until it comes
to a picture of the woman who passed away
which it then slows down as it goes passed.
This suggests more evidence towards the
unsure mood and atmosphere and shows a
sign of respect.

7. Camera Shots
• The panning shot moves from the picture
to the main character to suggest that
she was part of him and has now gone
away. This creates a emotional
response towards the main character.
• The panning shot stops at Walt
Kowalski, the main character, where it
shows him in mid shot over the other
mans shoulder. This is done so you can
see his body language and his responses
towards the situation.

8. Camera Shots
• A close up shot is used to show his
hatred glare to one of the kids at the
funeral as she comes in to sit down
wearing inappropriate clothing for a
funeral. This shows his facial
expressions in great detail.
• Another panning shot is used to show the
conversation between Walt’s two sons.
This is used to show there confusion on
what to do with Walt now his wife has
passed away.

9. Editing
• The editing is slow in the parts
where the film gives ideas about
the film
• The slow editing sets the right
mood of a emotional atmosphere
and feel to the film.
• The film uses fast cuts where
frustration, anger and
disappointment is shown in Walt’s
view.

10. Sound
• The sound in the opening title are very
light hearted suggesting that it is trying
to set a mood with the viewer.
• The this is non-diegetic music where it is
being played before the first scene even
starts.
• The non diegetic music turns into diegetic
sounds when the first scene comes on.
This sound is where birds can be heard
outside the church and a organ being
played in the background inside the
church

11. Mise-en-scene
• The clothing shown in the opening
suggests to us different contrasts
between the different age groups.
• The younger generations where
clothes that are not suitable for their
grandma’s funeral. They are shown
wearing casual clothing like sports tops
and jeans. This shows little respect from
younger people showing a stereo type of
the generation

12. Mise-en-scene
• The clothing that the adults and the
elderly wear is formal which implies that
they have the right knowledge of how to
behave. This suggests that they have
respect towards the situation.
• The way that the different generations
behave is largely different. The
older, elderly generation seem to have a
lot more understanding and respect
towards the funeral unlike the middle
generations.

13. Mise-en-scene
• The middle generation seem to have less
respect as some are seen using their
phones.
• This generation is also seen having
respect when some of them are crying.
• This suggests that there is some contrast
between different types of people in that
generation.

14. Mise-en-scene
• The younger generations show little
respect as Walt glares at them as they
come in as they are.
• They show little interest in what they are
attending and Walt's looks them down as
being the older more wiser character.

15. Mise-en-scene
• The goes along side the establishing shot
where it also helps to set the scene and
mood to the viewer of a emotional
atmosphere.
• The sound of the organ then goes into
full effect when the camera enters then
church. This makes the viewer think of
emotions towards the people in morning.
• The organ gets louder as Walt is seen and
is angry about the situation of his passing
which gives the viewer sympathy towards
him.

16. Thanks for watching!