Shutter Island Magazine Front Cover Analysis ...

The magazine 'Total Film' published a feature on 'Shutter Island' which included this front cover. Aside from the usual conventions shown on each cover; such as the masthead, bar code and issue number; the cover is almost entirely taken over by the shutter island style model. The use of the movie's signature red font is not only used to advertise Shutter Island itself, but also on the magazine's other features.

The image of DiCaprio differs from the movie poster's close up, but features the actor's similar grim facial expression and ominous dark blue and grey colour scheme. There is also a swirling mist around his lower body, which is synonymous with horror movies. He is shot at a long, middle angle maing him seem tall and imposing, posed with one leg slightly forward to place emphasis on the gun placed directly before it. His police badge is also clearly visible on his clothes which gives his costume an official appearance, in a typical 50's overcoat. The image of the lighthouse is placed before the masthead, naturally giving it a dominance over the whole cover. This links directly to its significance on the island.

The anchorage text of 'Marty's Madhouse' is a reference to the director Martin Scorsese and links to the mental hospital in which the film is located.

Shutter Island Movie Poster Analysis ...

The film 'Shutter Island' from director Martin Scorsese is a thriller; created from the original novel by Dennis Lehane. It charters the journey of US Marshall Teddy Daniels as he investigates a case in the Alcatraz-style mental hospital on Shutter Island.


There are constant themes throughout all elements of the film's marketing: the more famous, main star Leonardo DiCaprio, the image of the island itself, and the logo text 'Shutter Island'.


DiCaprio's image is leached of colour in a low saturation edit, giving a universal colour scheme of dark grey and blue, which provides a striking contrast with the red, blurred text. The image of him holding a match up to his face is taken directly from a scene in the film, and is suggestive of darkness. The fact the actor is looking to the side and not straight into the camera also makes the image seem ominous, as the audience are led to suspect he is looking at something they can't see. Although the image is highly edited, there is a sense of him being a rugged male character, naturally associated with strength, as he has stubble and deep lines between his eyes.


The tag line of 'Someone is missing' is placed directly atop the lit match, meaning it is laced in smoke. This is an effect commonly used in horror/thriller genres and gives a clear indication of the forbidding nature of the film.


The image of the island has been given a back-lighting effect which casts an ethereal glow around the dark, hostile cliffs. The contrast makes the island seem foreboding and the waves around the perimeter along with the rain effect in front makes it seem wild and turbulent.

The red, blurred text evokes imagery of blood; whilst looking as though a hand has swept across the wet ink making it run slightly. This is a continuation of the thriller theme and is used also in the release date "October" (which incidentally has since been moved forward) which draws the audience's attention and provides an easily remembered point.