Red Dragon

Movie Summary

Red Dragon is a thriller produced in 2002, it was directed by Brett Ratner. Starring Edward Norton as Graham and Anthony Hopkins as Lecter. The events of Red Dragon takes place before The Silence Of The Lambs. Storyline wise Red Dragon is chronology the first of the Hannibal films and books.

Scene Summary

The scene starts with Hannibal watching a classical orchestra performance and notices an out of tune flute player. The film cuts to Hannibal hosting a dinner party a few weeks later, where the guests discuss the flute player as he has gone missing. Unknowingly the guests are eating the dead flute player which Hannibal had previously killed. In the evening, detective Graham comes to Hannibal's house to discuss the murder case he is investigating not realising Hannibal is the killer. It suddenly dawns on Graham who the murder is but it's to late and he is attacked by Hannibal, who talks him through the pain very creepily. Graham manages to grab a gun and shoots Hannibal multiple times, then the opening credits run.

Mise en scene

The title Red Dragon comes up with Red coloured red and Dragon coloured white, this could give off connotations of good vs. evil or split personality similar to that of the serial killers Francis. In Hannibal house it is shown that he is very wealthy through the decoration of expensive furniture. The colour of Hannibal's house from the outside is white that carries connotations of innocence's and good, while the inside however is a rich red colour representing blood, evil and hell. Hannibal's paint colour of choice may represent his outward perception of well mannered and righteous and his true evil sly inner self. As the credits appear it shows the audience a scrap book being made however not the maker. The scrap book gives off connotations of stalker-like traits as it is made up of pictures and newspaper articles of Hannibal's murder victims and his arrest.

Camera

-Crane shot focusing in on Hannibal in orchestra audience

-Close up of Hannibal frowning at flute player

-Pans and close ups of scrap book

Editing & Music

-Fast cuts during fight scene

-Fade outs and ins to represent time passing

-Music builds when Hannibal is uncovered as the real killer

-Classic music throughout to show Hannibal is well educated and sophisticated