Saving Private Ryan analysis - Omaha beach scene

In this essay I will be analysing a clip from Saving Private Ryan, this will be the opening flashback scene on the beach. I will be critiquing its effect on the audience with each frame.

The first frame shows us a close-up of Capt. Miller, he is positioned in the centre of the shot to suggest to us that he is the film’s protagonist and that makes us presume that he won’t die. The camera then slowly tracks backwards to show us the rest of the soldiers within the boat to show to us that Hanks’ character is just like any other solider, vulnerable and afraid of what’s to come. The final wide shot of the boat is to represent Miller’s insignificance within the group of soldiers and it’s also used to create tension and make the audience feel nervous.

Not long after the wide shot we are shown multiple close ups of various soldiers on the boat, this is used to create a bond with the characters and some of them are praying to God and kissing their cross necklaces. This shows their desperation for them to be safe and that also may be used to show that they have some hope despite the fear of death. Then we instantly are given a P.O.V shot at the back of the soldiers as they fall down one by one, the close-up was necessary because otherwise we wouldn’t feel as much sympathy for them without that bond. The P.O.V shot is used for realism, making us feel like we’re there and we’re a soldier trying to survive whilst our friends are being killed right before us. As an audience, it keeps us alert and that this is not something to just sit back, relax and watch for pleasure.