How do the camera shots, lighting effects and music help embellish the theme of the film 'We Were Soldiers'?

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‘We Were Soldiers’ film review

Q: How do the camera shots, lighting effects and music help embellish the theme of the film ‘We Were Soldiers’?

‘We Were Soldiers’ is a film that attempts to expose the devastation and desperation of war within Vietnam. During my essay, I will focus on the significant aspects of this cinematic interpretation of one of histories most brutal wars. Although war has several points of view, my aim will be to explore the diverse perspectives of both the Americans and Vietnamese in hope to find that the director has captured both sides equally and with realism. Ultimately, I must question whether the music, light effects and camera shots depict the moment authentically.

     The opening scenes of ‘Saving Private Ryan’ set a new benchmark in war films, one that ‘We Were Soldiers’ has raised to yet greater heights of goriness. It is never romanticised and purely focuses on the explicit imagery you’d expect in a war film, unlike ‘We Were Soldiers’ where Mel Gibson stars as Lt. Col. Harold Moore whose bravery and determination ensures his survival. The close-up battle scenes are not for the squeamish, particularly the images of Vietnam victims, who throughout the film are seen as the weaker side.

     The film, originally a book by Randal Wallace, reflects on the general and recognisable images of war, with various close-up and point-of-view camera shots focusing on bloody and disturbing death scenes. The rapid pace of the footage we see and dramatic music we hear set the scene perfectly. This adds a sense of accretion, by the gory close-ups presumably building to a climax. We instantly recognise that the war is set in relatively modern day times because it uses explosives, gunfire and sophisticated fighter and bomber planes that imply the war is an ambush.

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     We are then introduced to Mel Gibson, where he faces the emotional task of saying goodbye to his wife and children. This particular scene is filmed with much silence and feels moving by the heart-stopping case of a father potentially saying his ‘final’ farewell to his family. In the background, melancholy music plays which substitutes the use of speech effectively. It is apparent to the audience that Mel Gibson’s character is unsure if he’ll return or die. Music is an aid that helps give the scene this atmosphere.

     His wife pretends to be asleep so ...

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