The film Platoon is about Vietnam (1960’s) when America tried to get involved in North/South conflict. In the film the Americans are fighting in Vietnam, there are two Americans who have been building up tension between themselves throughout the film. They were not only fighting the war against the Viet Cong but between themselves. Eventually it gets to the point when they come face to face on there own. One of them, Chris, shoots the other, Elias, and runs off leaving him, claiming to everyone else that he was shot by the Viet Cong. The Americans retreat and all fly off, in helicopters, leaving Elias. At this point all you can hear is the helicopter as they lift off the ground and start to fly off with all the Americans. There has been no music for a while all you could hear was the gunshots and helicopter, making it as if you were actually there and building up tension. Barbers Adagio comes in very quietly just before the soldiers, in the helicopter, see Elias running with the Viet Cong chasing him. Showing the audience that something’s going to happen. Although he had been shot several times he continues to run. As the music is quite slow this is in slow motion. The soldiers call for the helicopter to turn round and come down to rescue him. The music builds and builds, you can only hear the gunshots against the music. Creating tension and suspense, drawing you into the film. Eventually Elias falls down onto his knees. The pitch is reaching its highest point and the dynamics are at their loudest (ff- fortissimo). The highest note is when Elias reaches up and throws his hands in the air. This could represent him begging for help or giving his soul to heaven. The music ends on a high sorrowful note as the realisation kicks in of an unnecessary death. The piece does not play all the way through. This is probably because as it moves towards the end the music becomes slightly happier. The writer of the film does not want to create a happy atmosphere yet, so they leave it at a sad, high pitched note.
Music is crucial in films. This piece of music would not have the same depth, be as powerful or have the same effect without Barber’s Adagio. Although classical music may seem strange to accompany a war film it worked really well, it strengthens the message and helps re-enact it. The music helped set the mood, tempo and tone of the film.
This is not the only war-related programme that Barber’s Adagio has been used for. It has helped to create the image of war and suffering to a special 9/11 documentary. Barber’s Adagio was used to accompany images of the twin towers before and after. It helps explain how desperate these people who lost their lives were. These pictures would have been nowhere near as effective if they hadn’t been accompanied by the music. People remember this and so on the last night of the proms, in the Albert Hall and in places all around the country, they sang this to remember everyone who had lost there lives on 9/11. The atmosphere was incredible and Barber’s Adagio brought emotion to everyone.
Again this shows how this piece of music creates emotions and feelings, it helps explain suffering and trauma. It is hard not to think of sadness and remember memories of losses, pain and grief when you hear it. The piece is so effective in being so beautiful yet so uncomfortable.
