"Spectre" Title Sequence Analysis by Jamie Sykes

Title Sequence Analysis: Spectre (James Bond)

The title sequence of a film is important as it sets the audience expectation. The latest in the James Bond film franchise, Spectre, uses a title sequence that embodies the sophistication and class you associate with the protagonist, James Bond. Utilising computer generated imagery and as well as real life shots help to immerse the audience in the mind of Bond. It also takes the opportunity to introduce the instalments villains using iconography. Graphic matches are also used between scenes for smooth transitions.

 As with all the James Bond franchise, the Bond Girl is a constant recurring role, and Spectre is no different. The title sequence displays silhouettes of girls dancing around Daniel Craig as he is introduced. This could be used to foreshadow the implications the girl will bring for Bond later in the film or the relationship they share, which is also emphasised by the nudity in the title sequence as it insinuates a sexual theme. The colour scheme of gold and black creates sophistication in the title sequence which is juxtaposes by the flames and fire which create the impression of potential danger and destruction.

Within the first 30 seconds of the title sequence the film title and associated logo are displayed prominently in the centre of the screen and the colour scheme transitions to black and white and features Daniel Craig and a female in the tentacles of an Octopus engaging in sexually explicit manner.

Sam Smith, a British singer and songwriter performs the opening theme for this bond film; Writing’s on the Wall. The title and song work in a synchronised way to show the pain of Bond’s life. As Smith delivers the lines, “A million shards of glass, that haunt me from my past”, glass breaks on screen revealing the faces of protagonists and antagonists from the previous instalments of the film such as Vesper Lynd. This is a subtle nod from the production team to the recurring Bond film fans which helps to tie up the plot of previous films and weaves them into the story of ‘Spectre’. Meanwhile, also shown on screen are the names of producers, directors and other staff who helped produce the film.