Jack Scott, Saving Private Ryan

Jack Scott,

 Saving Private Ryan

(Steven Spielberg 1998)

The beginning of the scene begins with a medium close up off Cpt Miller played by Tom Hanks. He is in the centre of the framing looking directly forward but not at the camera. The camera then begins to track backwards revealing the other solders standing around and in front of him. As Cpt Miller the other solders are fixated and staring forward, where as others are vomiting.

The camera used to film this shot is hand held and is bobbling along with the solders, which is used to mimic the boats movement as its traveling through the sea. The camera begins by showing Cpt Miller to inform us that he is the protagonist of the film and the most important. This gives the idea that he is the highest ranked solder due to the fact that when the camera tracks backwards he always remains in the shot and does not fade out, this also shows that he is alike the other solders.

The camera movement shows the audience that although he is the protagonist he is just like the other solders and just as vulnerable as they are. As the tracking shot moves backwards it shows the other solders that are reacting the same way as Cpt Miller which reinforces the idea that they are equal and even though he is the main character he is under threat and is scared alike the others which makes the audience fear for him and un sure of what could happen next.

The following shot is a mid shot of the boat driver who shouts “30 seconds, God be with you”, then the shot changes to close up of Cpt Miller giving orders to the solders followed by a medium close up of Sergeant Horvath played by Tom Sizemore also giving orders.

The camera uses the shot of the boat driver saying “30 seconds” to indicate that something will happen, he follows on to say “God be with you”.  The close up of Cpt Miller giving orders shows his authority and duty towards the solders, the following medium close up of Sergeant Horvath giving orders also shows that he also has authority but is not as important as Cpt Miller.

The mid shot of the boat driver shouting “30 Seconds, God be with you” , makes the audience nervous and tense because they know now that what ever the reason the solders are nervous for his going to be established soon, the fact the driver shouts “god be with you”  indicates that what ever threat they will soon encounter will require a act of God to help them.