Taxi Driver Opening Title Analysis

1. Taxi Driver Opening Title Analysis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbvWoruvf5c

2. The sequence begins with fiery red titles. The colour links to the gore in the rest off the film and also main character Travis’ anger due to his mental state. Travis is played by the actor in red, Robert De Niro so this supports it. De Niro’s name also appears first because he’s a very well known actor playing the starring role. The taxi then appears through the mist and the person driving is not shown because of this, suggesting he is hiding something. It leaves the viewer with an early enigma, who is driving the taxi and why is it significant? The use of low key lighting in this scene is typical of the Thriller genre and adds more mystery to the scene. The low angle looking up at the taxi also shows its importance and significance within the film. The title ‘TAXI DRIVER’ then emerges and is surrounded by smoke. This again suggests an element of mystery surrounds this taxi driver. The titles are yellow linking to the yellow taxi cab we saw previously. It also links to the taxi because the titles fade in and out like the bright car headlights we saw before.

3. The red tint over this shot connotes the blood and anger that appear later in the film related to the character shown, Travis. We also only see a disturbing close up of his eyes meaning the character is still not established and the taxi drivers identity is still hidden. These next two shots are from inside the taxi, a POV from the taxi driver himself, allowing the viewer to see the world from his perspective. The setting outside the window is very blurred and disorientated, suggesting the taxi driver feels isolated from the rest of the world and lonely. It shows his mental instability, something which is brought up often in the film. The bright lights and the partial recognition of the city streets begin to establish the urban city setting, an aspect typical of the thriller genre. This second shot is an extreme long shot which shows the distance between him and the city. This supports the idea of him being isolated and separated from society.

4. The urban setting is then fully established by a long shot of the busy city with many people and buildings visible in the background. The blue/red tint connotes chilling/dangerous, typical themes presented in the thriller genre. I believe this is used to show Travis’ view of society as being bad. Sound The only sound in the opening title sequence is the fantastic score composed by Bernard Herrmann. It starts with drumming which gradually increases in pace and volume, creating tension. The way it alternates between the two levels indicates the dark undertones we are used to seeing in thriller films and will see in this one. This then contrasts to when we see Travis driving, a slow saxophone piece making it seem more relaxed. This suggests that when he’s driving his taxi he is more relaxed and it calms him down just like the music did. The music changes back and forth between the climatic drumming and the smooth jazz to show Travis’ quick change in temper and unstable mental state.