“Saving Private Ryan”

1. “Saving Private Ryan” Opening Sequence Revision

2. Opening Scene Narrative Framing Device – cemetery, present day France, an (unknown) old man and his family, at a grave side. This scene frames the film – effective because it adds emotional depth - we see the generations of Ryan’s family who are alive as a direct result of the fact that he was saved i.e. legacy brought about by Miller’s “act of decency”. Also introduces Captain Miller as being directly linked to Ryan. Note that this Narrative Framing Device was also used in another Spielberg film, “Schindler’s List” where it is an effective way of reinforcing the story’s impact on the generations which followed the Holocaust.

3. Transition from present to past Camera work The camera slowly zooms in on Ryan’s face to a close up of his eyes. Cut to Omaha Beach June 6th 1944 and a close up of Miller’s hand shaking (recurrent image) and close ups of soldiers’ terrified expressions; some soldiers bless themselves, some vomit and others simply look petrified. Note the fact that the soldiers vary in age.

4. Soundtrack (dialogue, sound effects, music) • During the transition the music fades and the sound of crashing waves increases. The soldiers are silent – there is no dialogue at first only the sound of crashing waves, vomiting and then shouted instructions can be heard. These are followed by more vomiting.

5. Overall Effect The effect of this opening shot establishes a connection between the elderly man in the cemetery and D-Day. A mood of fear, tension and suspense is created by sound of the crashing waves and vomiting.

6. Boat Landing: Camera Work As soon as the boat doors open there are numerous shots of soldiers being killed. The camera is situated behind the first three or four rows of soldiers on the boat and the audience sees them being shot and killed. As the soldiers plunge into the water the camera follows them, giving the audience their perspective as they struggle both below and above the surface. Handheld camera shots suggest we are making our way out of the water and onto the beach where the height of the camera remains at crouching or knee level.

7. Soundtrack (dialogue, sound effects, music) The soundtrack at this point is dominated by gunfire – the sound of bullets firing, ricocheting and hitting their targets. Shouted instructions can be heard but never fully understood. Underwater the sound is muted as bullets zip through the water, still hitting and killing soldiers even below the surface. The battle can still be heard, even underwater. When the camera resurfaces, the sound is explosive.

8. Overall Effect Cutting to and from the German perspective to the Allied soldiers’ perspective, gives an overview of the carnage and chaos. The camera work brings the audience onto the beach, crawling and ducking along with the soldiers. The German perspective suggests the Allied troops are fighting a lost cause; this further highlights the immense difficulty of the mission. The opening scene gives a general sense of confusion and hopelessness – the audience feel as if no-one could survive.

9. Captain Miller’s Confusion Captain Miller emerges from the bloody sea. He stumbles and falls. We witness his shock and confusion at the carnage all around him. We see events from his perspective. (See your own detailed notes on this)

10. Camera Work There is a Close Up of Miller as he emerges from the sea. Jerky slow motion shots of Miller’s shocked expression edited alternately with the horrors taking place all around him.

11. Soundtrack (dialogue, sound effects, music) Muted sound accompanies the slow motion. Explosions can still be heard on the soundtrack, but are muted. A young soldier shouts (silently) asking Miller for instructions. Sound returns noisily – we now hear the soldier’s words amid the loudness of the gunfire and explosions.

12. Overall Effect We are plunged into the horror of D-Day alongside Miller and experience the senseless carnage through his eyes. Although not a raw recruit, he is, nevertheless, shocked beyond belief. Finally Miller comes to his senses and resumed his responsibilities. We are given an insight into the true horror of war.

13. The End of the Battle Miller rests. Horvath comments “That’s quite a view”, a sentiment which is echoed by Miller. We are shown vast numbers of dead soldiers (in a wide-shot) as the bloody sea washes over them.

14. Camera Work Another close up of Miller’s hand shaking, camera zooms to a close up of Miller’s eyes, cut to his p.o.v. Long shots of bloody water washing in over the dead then close ups of soldiers boots – the waves are bright red as they wash over the bodies. Long shot of the beach, the camera pans slowly left then gradually zooms in on the wording on the backpack of one soldier – Ryan.

15. Soundtrack (dialogue, sound effects, music) Gentle music quietly fades in. The waves sound peaceful after the prolonged noise, chaos and destruction. The melancholy music adds to the solemnity of the images.

16. Overall Effect The peace is a relief for the audience after the exhausting tension and horror of the battle. We are struck by the enormity of the event – the sheer number of deaths shock us. The final shot showing the name ‘Ryan’ on the backpack of one of the fallen soldiers establishes a link between the sequence we have just seen as well as both the title and plot of the film.