Research into opening sequence of a Western film

Western opening scene 

Released by Netflix Overbrook Entertainment, "The Harder They Fall" was released in 2021, directed by The Bullitts. The film's main cast include Chase Dillion, DeWanda Wise, Julia Cesar Cedillo and Jonathan Majors. 

The opening scene presents a narrative in which a family sit down at the table to eat dinner. However, whilst saying grace, they are disturbed by the diegetic sound effect of a horse neighing and a knock at the door, alerting them to the fact that the guest is arrived. The guest arrives and walks inside, before setting two gold guns down on the table. The scene ends with the man holding the two guns towards the mother and scene, leaving the audience on a suspenseful note. From this we might expect the rest of the film to follow the conflict between the family and these individuals and to find out what it is they want from them and how they are connected.

The film follows several conventions of the western genre, making the genre of the film clear from the start. This is made clear through the guest's costume, which indicates that he is a cowboy. Horses also make an appearance which fulfils the genre as horses are a common convention. Pioneers are also a convention of the genre and this is also fulfilled by the opening as the family wear costumes that resemble those of pioneers. Guns are also featured heavily in the opening, which again adheres to the traditional expectations of a western film. The tone is quite suspenseful as the audience is left waiting to witness the family's fate. Due to it being a western film, we might expect the target audience to be largely male. However, since the film is a more recent release, it might be attempting to target a wider audience. The opening introduces the audience to five main characters. Firstly, the family, consisting of the mother, the father and the son. The father appears to the audience as the one in charge of the family. This is seen through his position at the head of the table as well as the fact that he is the one to answer the door. This also done through his diegetic dialogue in which he calmly reassures his family that "it will be ok". In the way, the mother and son are depicted as being under the protection of the father. We are also introduced to two individuals who enter the house with hats worn to conceal their identity. One of them uses two guns to threaten the family which creates the sense that these are evil individuals. 

The scene first uses an establishing shot to show the barren, desert landscape which is typical of western films. We then enter a household. The meal has just been prepared and the family remind themselves to say grace, which can be heard through diegetic dialogue. This sets up an idyllic portrayal of the family home. The father is placed at the head of the table in the middle of the shot, firmly establishing him as the member of the family who is in charge.

This is then disturbed by a neigh and the pleonastic diegetic sound-effect of a knock at the door, alerting the family to a visitor. a hand held camera shot is used to follow the father easily to the door. He opens the door to reveal one individual in the foreground with several others and their horses in the background. His hat conceals his identity. The father says "no" and a non-diegetic soundtrack begins to play, changing the tone to one of suspense and fear. 

The mystery individual enters the house with steady and spaced out footsteps. He walks slowly and a long drawn out shot creates a sense of anticipation within the audience. The father shakes his head as another individual enters and there is an eyeline match to show him looking at the gun displayed on the wall. This might signify that he feels danger is ahead. The first individual sits at the head of the table and holds two guns to the heads of the mother and son. Close-ups on their terrified faces, help the audience to picture the terror they are experiencing.

I believe that this is a successful opening as it establishes a compelling storyline in a matter of only three minutes. We know nothing about the relationship between the cowboys and the family and yet the audience feels encouraged to watch the rest of it to find out how they are connected.