Textual Analysis of the Opening Title Sequence from the film, 'Bullitt'

The film, 'Bullitt', is from the murder mystery genre. This is shown through the choice of images, typography, cuts, sound and camera angles used in the opening titles.

All the images used in the opening titles are all very dark, which is usually viewed negatively. Dark is usually associated with crime and murder, which relates back to the genre. The images mainly consist of close ups on the characters faces, which are mostly taken from low angles. This angles connote importance, as well as making the characters appear intimidating. Furthermore, the close ups connote tensions which would relate back to the genre.


The typography used in these opening titles is typical of crime genre films, which covers murder mysteries. The font is bold and square, which is see a lot in opening title sequences in American crime films. It connotes importance and dominance, which is why it is used when police are investigating crimes in films.


The cuts used in this title sequence are quite peculiar. They appear in different ways, which could relate to the murder mystery genre. One particular cut shows the following shot appearing through a name on the credits as the name grows bigger. These cuts could represent the varying twists and clues in the plot of a murder mystery genre.


Finally, the background music used in these opening titles is soft jazz music, very similar to the iconic music from the film, 'The Pink Panther', which is associated with investigations. Because of this association, the audience assumes that the film involves the investigation of a crime of some sort.