We open the film on a beautiful shot of nature that’s reflected both horizontally and vertically.
The vertical reflection deals with light and shadow, speaking to the overall structure of the film: optimistic and light in the beginning, dark and forbidding at the end.
The lake acts like a mirror, showing a horizontal reflection of the same mountains.
The traveling sequence shown as Jack travels up the mountain is repeated with the multiple traveling sequences shown across the film.
Having the location change through the scenery sets up the viewer to anticipate other signifiers of change of space.
The song heard is a reworking of a Gregorian chant, Dies Irae, the Day of Judgement. Overlayed are images of human shrills and shrieks.
Juxtaposed with the nature imagery, it can be assumed to speak for the Native American ghosts.