Saving Private Ryan Analysis - Opening Scene

Saving Private Ryan Analysis - Opening Scene

In the movie Saving Private Ryan the opening scenes include a heavy use of handheld cameras. This throws the audience right into the action that is occurring and highlights the realism of the events. It allows the audience to identify with the soldiers in the movie through the use of POV shots. This positions the audience to feel as though they are in the scene as it allows the audience to see exactly what the soldiers see and gives us an idea of what they are feeling. The shots from the American soldiers POV show the Nazi soldiers as humanised and in the moment because we are able to see their faces. However, the high angle shots from the Nazi POV present the Americans as dehumanised as we are only able to see an array of faceless bodies which look almost like insects scattering around. This makes the Americans appear small, implying their weakness in the particular situation, compared to the Nazi's who are shown as looking down on the Americans indicating they are in control. 

The scene begins on a close up shot of Tom Hanks' character (Captain John Miller), this immediately tells the audience that he is the main character. Not only that but the camera then pulls back to show other soldiers, this once again shows the importance of Hanks' character because whilst being on a boat surrounded by other soldiers, he is the main focus. The close up shots of various soldiers on the boat allow the audience to see their emotions through their facial expressions and body language. This gives us a short insight into what the soldiers are feeling and how they are handling the situation that is about to take place. 

The shots of the camera moving in and out of the water once again positions the audience to feel as though they are in the scene as it is like a POV shot. This allows us to empathise with the soldiers because we feel like we are in the same position as them and seeing what they are seeing. It connotes the uneasiness of the soldiers and the disorientating environment and events taking place. The shots under the water have a mute sound in comparison to the shots above water, this somewhat brings us in and out of reality. 

The audience is positioned in front of a medium close up of Captain John Miler amongst the shootings and we are also shown shots from his POV.  At this moment the the camera is in slow motion and the sound is restricted. This signifies the moment of shell shock within Miller and enables the audience to see the horrifying events through his eyes. The camera then zooms forward and we see Miller in a close up. He breaks the fourth wall and stares straight down the camera, as if looking for some kind of help or guidance. This yet again positions the audience to empathise with his character, as we are made to feel helpless in a situation that we feel as though we are apart of due to the realism of the POV shots and handheld camera movements throughout.