Saving Private Ryan – the war D-Day Essay Example
Saving Private Ryan – the war D-Day Essay Example

Saving Private Ryan – the war D-Day Essay Example

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  • Pages: 5 (1149 words)
  • Published: December 18, 2017
  • Type: Book Review
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The film Saving Private Ryan, directed by Steven Spielberg and released on September 11th 1998, is based on the D-Day war. It falls into the genre of war due to its inclusion of numerous scenes featuring fighting, gunshots, and killing. Notable actors in the film include Tom Hanks as Captain Miller, Tom Sizemore as Sergeant Horvath, Edward Burns as Private Rieben, Barry Pepper as Private Jackson, Jeremy Davies as Private Upham, and Matt Damon as Private Ryan.

Overall, "Saving Private Ryan" is a highly graphic and violent film. It received widespread recognition, winning five Academy Oscar awards, including Best Director in 1999. The film incorporates a significant amount of handheld camera footage to immerse viewers in the on-screen war experience. Scene one employs various camera shots, including flashbacks, to transition between the prese

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nt day and the past. In this particular scene, James Ryan visits the graves in Normandy, France, where he fought in the war alongside his family. This visit triggers a flashback to June 6th, 1944.

The director incorporates different camera shots to portray Private Ryan and his family. They capture a low angled shot of Private Ryan, followed by a mid shot of him with his family. The camera then zooms in on Private Ryan kneeling and gazing at Captain Miller's gravestone. This scene serves to convey his longing for Captain Miller and his contemplation of the war he fought for his country. Additionally, a mid shot shows the array of flags present, indicating that the setting is in France despite the American origins of Captain Miller and Private Ryan.

During a display of all the flags, patriotic music such as the national anthem is played.

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The final shots focus on Private Ryan, with the graves in the background, highlighting the significant number of soldiers who lost their lives and fought for their country. Subsequently, there is a mid shot of Private Ryan shedding tears, followed by an extreme close-up. This sequence communicates to the audience the immense sorrow Private Ryan is experiencing, hinting at the forthcoming somber events.

The true horrors of war are vividly displayed in this film. The sound effects play a crucial role in creating an impactful atmosphere. At the beginning, as Private Ryan visits Captain Miller's grave, patriotic music sets the tone, emphasizing the significance of this moment. Scene 2 is a lengthy and chaotic portrayal of instant mayhem. Inside the boat, the soldiers prepare to fight for their country. However, as soon as the doors open, they are mercilessly gunned down, meeting instant death.

One of the initial camera shots depicts all the soldiers in the boat before the doors opened. Some soldiers appear very nervous, some are sick, while others seem prepared for a confrontation. The camera then zooms out from the soldiers. As the soldiers transition to the beach after being shot in the boat, the camerawork changes to tracking. A soldier runs across the beach, and the camera technique gives the impression that you are actually present.

The scene opens with a medium close-up shot of soldiers entering the water discreetly to avoid detection by the enemy. The camera mimics the movements of a hiding soldier by bobbing up and down in the water. A wide shot follows, capturing soldiers running and shooting in the background. The camera then transitions to a mid

shot of a soldier writhing in pain on the ground, his intestines scattered around him. This graphic depiction serves to illustrate the harsh realities and brutality of war. Additionally, there is a soldier portrayed searching for his missing limb, which had been blown off.

The focal point of this scene is when the camera captures the perspective of a German soldier, highlighting their immense power. The sound plays a crucial role in this scene, as it is filled with loud gunshots, shouting soldiers, and exploding grenades. These sound effects create an immersive atmosphere for the film and keep the audience engaged. In scene 3, we witness Captain Miller's bewilderment towards the war as he emerges from the sea, experiencing everything from his point of view.

The initial camera shot shows Captain Miller looking perplexed, with a slightly faded color tone. During this moment, both Captain Miller and the audience can only perceive muted sounds, and everything around him seems to be moving in slow motion. Moving forward, the focus remains on Captain Miller while another soldier attempts to get his attention in a mid shot. Finally, Captain Miller returns to normal, indicating to the audience that he was contemplating the events occurring around him.

After the wide shot of everything happening on the beach, Captain Miller is seen picking up his helmet from near the water. As he puts it on his head, bloody water washes down his face. Despite this, he remains unfazed, understanding that other soldiers have suffered casualties. This scene focuses on Captain Miller and his realization of the events unfolding around him.

The sound effects in this scene were crucial in conveying Captain

Miller's perspective. The muted sounds effectively portrayed his experience, allowing the audience to comprehend his situation. In scene 4, after the battle, the camera captures a large number of deceased soldiers on the beach being washed away by the sea. The sequence begins with a close-up of a wounded soldier and then shifts to an extreme close-up of an empty helmet, indicating the absence and probable death of soldiers.

The subsequent camera shot transitioned into slow motion mode, providing a prolonged depiction of the events at a reduced speed. It then proceeded to track the soldiers as they traversed the beach. Many soldiers sought refuge in the water to evade the gunfire, but unfortunately, some were unlucky and perished. To illustrate the aftermath of the battle, a long shot of the blood-stained water was included, offering viewers a visual representation of its impact on both the water and the beach. Additionally, a long shot of the beach itself was captured.

In conclusion, Saving Private Ryan is a compelling film with captivating sound effects and camerawork that keeps the audience engaged. The camera slowly pans left and then zooms in on the wording on the bag of a soldier, reading "Ryan." The scene is filled with the sounds of bullets splashing in the water, soldiers shouting and screaming, and a sense of hope emerging after the intense battle. The film's realism and portrayal of historical events, such as soldiers losing limbs, contribute to its effectiveness. Overall, Saving Private Ryan is a film worth watching.

Saving Private Ryan conveys the true essence of D-Day, shedding light on the realities of the 1940s. Through its depiction of violence and the

brutal battlefield, the film provides a realistic portrayal of what soldiers would have endured. Close-up shots of casualties and the visceral sound effects emphasize the film's aim to go beyond mere entertainment and enlighten audiences about the true significance of D-Day.

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