The film opens with the titles and clips to represent each production company (Lionsgate, Pathe, Celador) -
although the Lionsgate title has an image of turning cogs and the sound effects to match this, the others are shown in complete silence. This is extremely eerie and is helping to build tension before the film has even started; it also hints at the film's genre being suspense or horror.
We then see three women on a raft going at a high speed down a rapidly moving river, they are shouting out in excitement and appear to be having fun, whilst a man and child are standing on the bank to cheer them on. This scene appears to be quite joyful, however the colours used in their surroundings (blue lifejackets, a blue raft, pale sky, icy grey water and a dull green forest) are all cool toned colours. This means that, what on the surface appears to be a happy scene, is set against a very chilling backdrop and an almost hollow atmosphere is being created by the lack of music (the focus is transferred to their screams and the sound of the waves).
As their journey becomes much more turbulent, their screams get louder and the camera alternates between a wide shot of the boat and background and a closer shot of the women's faces. The latter shot appears to be from the perspective of somebody on the boat, helping to create a building tension as the viewer is placed in the scene.
Some credits appear alternately at the top left and bottom right of the screen in fragile-looking, thin white characters.
As the boat reaches the bank, the camera focuses separately on each of the women, but concentrates on one of them who greets her husband and daughter. This leads the audience to assume she will be the main character in this film. We then skip to a shot of the family in their car, the woman is talking in a calm and caring way to her daughter and I can also hear other cars passing them. The man's facial expressions indicate he is frustrated and the camera focuses more on him as he insists nothing is wrong. Everybody is looking at somebody else inside the car and suddenly the camera angle changes as we see a car driving towards them. This car unexpectedly collides head on with them and a loud smashing can be heard, this is a very shocking scene and gives the audience an idea of the terrifying twists and turns they can expect (or won't be expecting!) throughout the film. However, other than this, the opening of 'The Descent' is vague, and although it is effective in creating an tense atmosphere, it leaves the plotline very much a mystery.
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