Opening Shot Analysis - The Maltese Falcon (Huston, 1941)

Shot No. 1
Duration: 83 secs.
Shot Type: close up, zoom out, mid long shot
Mise-en-Scène: falcon statue with mood enhancing shadow in background against wall, orchestra constant, credits along with passage of writing from the one minute mark onwards to 83 seconds.

Shot No. 2
Duration: 12 secs.
Shot Type: (four) establishing shots, pan right
Mise-en-Scène: San Francisco bridge, to London, and then back to San Francisco bridge, then the city is shown from a different angle in which the camera pans to the right to show a major part of the city

Shot No. 3
Duration: 11 secs.
Shot Type: establishing, ped down, mid shot
Mise-en-Scène: company name on window, Sam Spade spins round on chair rolling a cigarette, sam spade dialogue as door opens, music fades out

Shot No. 4
Duration: 4 secs.
Shot Type: mid long shot
Mise-en-Scène: Sam Spade has his back to camera, secretary dialogue

Shot No. 5
Duration: 3 secs.
Shot Type: mid close up
Mise-en-Scène: secretary dialogue

Shot No. 6
Duration: 4 secs.
Shot Type: mid shot
Mise-en-Scène: Sam Spade finished rolling cigarette, Sam Spade diolgue

Shot No. 7
Duration: 12 secs.
Shot Type: mid long shot, ped up
Mise-en-Scène: secretary opens door, secretary dialogue, Miss Wonderly walks in, secretary leaves, Sam Spade stands up to greet.

Shot No. 8
Duration: 9 secs.
Shot Type: long shot
Mise-en-Scène: Sam Spade dialogue, Miss Wonderly dialogue etc, Miss Wonderly takes a seat

Shot No. 9
Duration: 23 secs.
Shot Type: mid shot
Mise-en-Scène: dialogue from both characters, Sam Spade lights cigarette as Miss Wonderly explains problem, Sam Spade has his back to the camera

Shot No. 10
Duration: 3 secs.
Shot Type: mid shot
Mise-en-Scène: Miss Wonderly has her back to the camera, Sam Spade diologue

Shot No. 11
Duration: 16 secs.
Shot Type: close up
Mise-en-Scène: dramatic monologue from Miss Wonderly