How Does Spielberg Use Camera Angles In Saving Private Ryan

In the film Saving Private Ryan, directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Robert Rodat, a group of soldiers battled their way through World War II on a special mission. Captain Miller and his Second Ranger Battalion were ordered to save a soldier named James Ryan, the only brother of four still alive at war. The group of soldiers risked their lives to insure Private Ryan returned safely to his mother. The film director and writer applied a variety of different film elements to the movie. Spielberg conveyed the sacrifice given by each man to guarantee the safety of their fellow soldiers by utilizing a range of camera angles, a mixture of sounds, and a variety of lighting techniques. Throughout the entire movie, the types of camera angles created many significant and traumatic impressions. For example, at the beginning of the film, there is a high angle shot looking over the bloody beach filled with American soldiers who sacrificed their lives on D-Day. The high angle, at this point of the film, portrayed the American Army as defenseless and weak. The angle also gave the audience a glimpse of the damage that had

Lighting added to the definition of specific events in the movie. For example, the major scene with lighting as an element is when backlighting is present. The company is approaching over the hill together. The soldiers were completely blacked out and the light shone behind them. The lighting created a feeling of unity and cohesiveness to complete one unequivocal task. Another example of a lighting technique used during the film was accent. The American flag was accented while flowing in the wind. The scene was placed in the movie to show the American soldiers were united under one flag and were in place to defend our country and our freedom. Together they were able to accomplish the task at hand and many gave up different things for a better