‘Saving Private Ryan’ is based on the World War II, when the Allies were attacking the Nazi Germans. The war lasted for six years, from the year 1939 till 1945.
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In both films they use a lot of camera shots. In particular, they use lot of low-angle, close-up, long, and medium shots. I will begin by giving explanations with examples from ‘Saving Private Ryan’. I will also be commenting on the possible effects on the audience through the use of these camera shots.
Low-angled shots are quite effective because when you are looking up at something from below it can make it seem as though it is bigger and more powerful. This is very effective when we are looking up at the cliffs in ‘Saving Private Ryan’ because it makes the task of going up the cliff seem as if it is completely impossible.
Also, low-angle shots were used in ‘Braveheart’ when we look up at the horses and the horsemen, who were advancing towards the Scottish freedom fighters. This was especially effective in this case as it made the horses and horsemen seem as though they are invincible and undefeatable.
Also, the use of close-ups was used a great deal. This was very effective because it allows the viewer to see the character clearly and also in detail, allowing them to see even the expressions which are drawn upon their faces.
In addition to this, the use of newsreel camera man shots make it look like the viewer is looking through the eyes of the soldiers themselves, which is an effective tool as it makes the viewer feel as if they are at that specific place.
In ‘Braveheart’ the use of close-ups gave the viewer a chance to see the expressions on the faces of the soldiers, which is almost like an insight into their inner feelings letting the audience see exactly what the soldiers felt like.
Long shots were used in ‘Saving Private Ryan’ to show the vast number of people coming together to fight for the sake of their countries with no hesitation in their minds.
One of the possible effects on the audience through the use of this media device is that the audience realises that even though the people on screen are normal people, they had a strong will which was so strong that it made large crowds of people committed to their cause.
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In both of the films they use many sound effects. This creates the effect on the viewer that makes it more realistic, and therefore more attractive. Also the use of editing sequence is used.
The use of editing sequence in ‘Saving Private Ryan’ when Captain Miller is temporarily loses his sense of hearing because of the numerous shells being blown up around him. During that short period of time, the pace of the sequence of images slows down, and there is hardly any noise or sound.
This is very useful in ‘Saving Private Ryan’ as it allows us to absorb the images shown on the screen instead of the quick flash of them whizzing by on the screen.
Although the use of editing sequence wasn’t used in the same way as it was used in ‘Saving Private Ryan’, the editing sequence in ‘Braveheart’ was cleverly manipulated to create tension and suspense in the audience as the two armies got closer to each other.
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I will now be discussing the similarities and differences between both films. I will attempt to do this by addressing the similarities first, and then the differences. Now I will start with the similarities.
In both films, ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and ‘Braveheart’, the genre is the same, i.e. war. This is effective as in both films, they have an element of historical truth running through them, making them more realistic and therefore more attractive to the audience.
Also, both of the films do not glamorise war, and the fighting in war. This is a different approach taken to the subject of war as the usual approach is to glamorise war. A modal example for this is ‘Rambo’, a film which greatly glamorises war.
Furthermore, the films both use deception in them as a technique to grab the attention of the audience, and put them on the edge of their seats waiting in tension to see the outcome of the film.
I will now attempt to inform you of the differences between the films. I will do this in the same manner in which I have discussed the similarities.
In ‘Braveheart’ the forms of weapons and artillery are different when compared to those in ‘Saving Private Ryan’. This is because ‘Braveheart’ was set in the 13th century, whereas ‘Saving Private Ryan’ was set in the 20th.
Conclusion
In conclusion I would like to state that both films used their techniques effectively with the wanted effect imposed on the audience. Also, that the use of the camera shots was cleverly organised as they clearly let the audience know what was going on in every one of the scenes in both films. Also, the realism made the films seem more appealing as it made it seem as though it was the complete truth.