Analysis of Opening Sequence of Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan
'Saving Private Ryan', directed by internationally acclaimed director
Steven Spielberg, was the winner of five academy awards in 1998 which
included best director, cinematography and film editing. The opening
sequence begins with World War 1's historic D-Day invasion of
Omahabeach in June 6th 1944. In this essay I will analyse how
Spielberg uses various techniques to evoke sympathy and shock the
viewer, captures the reality of combat without ever glorifying war
itself.
Spielberg used variety of camera shots including close up, medium
shot, long shot, wide-angle shot and high angle shot. He used the hand
held camera which gives a great effect when the soldiers are
frantically clambering up Omaha beach. He makes the viewer experience
the struggling of the solders by using variety of camera shots. His
use of a basic inexpensive tool such as a video cam helps him to
achieve an almost documentary accuracy. All this helped to increase
the sense of realism and make the environment of Omaha beach seem even
more petrifying, especially when the camera shudders and shakes when
shells explode.
Spielberg uses close up shots at certain points which are a shot that
focuses clearly on something in detail. The most close up shots are
taken when there is a poignant scene because he needs to show detail
clearly so the viewer can understand the emotions of the struggling
GIs. He uses a close up shot when, he zooms in into a man's eye and
the music changes. Another time is when a soldier is depicted holding
a sniper gun and the camera zooms in to view the target.
Another camera ...
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...et and he appears relieved and takes off
his helmet, but soon he gets shot anyway in 2 seconds. I don't think
Spielberg's meant for us to laugh at this unlucky soldier however. At
one stage the camera again zooms into a Soldiers face and from this
Spielberg is telling us that's the war has nearly finished. The waves
splash the bodies and you can also see fish scattered around the dead
which tells us that the nature is also affected by the war.
In "Saving Private Ryan" Spielberg captures the poignancy of war where
young lives are lost and this film preserves for future generation the
story of what happened specifically on Omaha Beach, June 6 1944.
Spielberg shows the sacrifice that soldiers made in the name of
freedom. Sixty years on from the D-Day invasion his film won't allow
us to ever forget the Normandy invasion.
frontal view, facing the viewer. He is shown standing in an open, somewhat rocky field.
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