Saving Private Ryan

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'Saving Private Ryan' essay

 Analysis of how Spielberg creates realism in the opening sequence of 'Saving Private Ryan'.

               

           'Saving Private Ryan' is a post war film directed by Steven Spielberg in 1998 which interprets the story of 'bloody Omaha' through the memories of the U.S. service men who helped liberate France in Omaha beach in 1944. During which 9,000 graves were created for the brave and honourable men who incidentally gave their lives to their country and its people.

             Steven Spielberg’s master piece Saving Private Ryan achieved the recognition it deserved and was awarded 5 academy awards, including the best director award to Steven Spielberg in 1998. The all star cast starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore and Edward Burns reinforce the horrors of war. Interpreted through the eyes of a squad of American soldiers, the story is based on World War 2’s historic D-Day invasion. Saving Private Ryan earned its awards for bringing back the realism of World War 2 and for portraying what the shocking odds of survival were at the historic battle of Omaha beach on D-Day in June 1944.

             The film follows Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks), who during the disturbingly real first scene survives the landing on Omaha Beach.

Upon arriving at Omaha Beach Captain Miller was faced with many problems. The Germans were awaiting the arrival of the American forces and attacked the ships landing on the beach before the troops were even able to exit the boats.

              Scene 1 gradually introduces us into the film with the images of the elderly man, impatiently approaching the river of white graves and collapses on one knee in front of one of the graves as he is overcome with emotion. The camera zooms on his face, which is disturbed by the scars of time and pain depicted by the layers of dead, deep wrinkles, as he stares unblinkingly into space with the watery eyes with the flicker of life behind the blue sea of his eyes as he seemingly remembers the horror of the past. The creation of suspense and tension builds on the audience as the distinctive roar of waves introduces a view of a beach littered by the metal hedgehogs. We are then given the date of June 6th 1944, establishing the theme of the movie, setting a scene for the audience before the viewing of the chaotic violence.

             A long shot of the Higgins, smothering the sea as they approach the shore line. The camera cuts to a close up shot of Captain Millers hand as it shakes uncontrollably, used to build gradual tension amongst the audience. Mug shots of terrified soldiers as they wait like pigs taken to be slaughtered.  A mood of fear and tension is created as the audience is given a cursory introduction to some of the main characters, making them develop a familiarity towards them which creates their instant slaughter more shocking and vivid. The clear sounds of vomit and boat engines disturb the anxious and deep silence which is then cut by Millers voice as he bellows instructions towards the soldiers.

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            The subconscious whistle indicates the beginning of the killing spree as the consequential instant overwhelming chaos, as within seconds men begin to drop in rows one by one in front of our eyes. The whistling of gunfire and flying specks of vibrant splatters of blood and flesh begins to dominate our senses as the bullets tear into the young soldier's bodies. Blood spatters appear on the screen, employed to create an authentic sense of vivid reality.

           An over the shoulder shot gives us the German shoulders perspective, interpreting the ...

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