Classic Thriller Analysis

Set in dusk lighting, disorients the audience and characters as its not quite dark. Also adds the idea that they could be caught easier as people would help them catch him.

Opening clip is of his hands, the main focus is his knuckles as they are white it shows how tense the character is feeling and how hard he is gripping the bar. You immediately get the impression something is wrong as he almost jumps over the bar instead of being cautious.

The background shows how high up they are which reinforces the films main theme of the fear of heights. Then you immediately know they are on top of a building as you see the other building tops in the back. However when they jump onto the tile roof the audience is tricked into thinking it is not that high until the detective slips and is hanging over the edge. This creates a sense of tension and suspense as the drain comes off, the audience fears for his life as a high angle shot is used to show the street below and you are then aware of how high he really is. This puts the audience in suspense as the policeman goes to save him as we fear for him falling as well. This is a shock to the audience when the policeman falls not the detective, however we are left on a cliff hanger as we do not know if he lives.

The music is really dramatic and creates the mood for the audience of suspense. As it bulids up with the chase.