Research Into A War Opening Scene

 I have researched the opening scene from the film Saving Private Ryan which is a War film. It came out in 1998 and was directed by Steven Speilberg. It was distributed by Paramount Pictures and includes the cast of Tom Hanks, Matt Damon and Vin Diesel.

The opening scene begins with a prologue showing a veteran and his family walking on a beach to a cemetery. An American flag and a French flag are presented in this scene creating context for the film. The elder man walking in front of the family portrays that he perhaps is the protagonist of the film which is also shown through him being the focus of the camera throughout his shots. When he walks over to the cemetery a man is standing there wearing many medals in his costume portraying that he had something to do with the war creating context for the film and conveying the genre. All the gravestones are identical in the cemetery conveying that these are all soldiers who fought in the war also portraying this genre. When the elder man drops to the floor it conveys

that this is an extremely emotional moment for him hinting to the audience that he perhaps lost loved ones, fought in the war or even both. The camera slowly zooms into his eyes and then cuts to a shot of the beach with the title saying ‘June 6, 1944’ and ‘Dog Green Sector Omaha Beach’ creating context but also conveying that this is his story. 

The next scene conveys a war battle on the beach which shocks the audience as it is extremely gruesome. It is realistic which engages the audience as it makes it something even members of the audience can relate to. The scene begins with many soldiers on boats in rough seas portraying them going to fight conveying the war genre. Soldiers’ hands are shaking and some are even vomiting creating suspense and engaging the audience. This scene conveys a first-person narrative making the overall effect more personal and shocking as this film is based on a true story. The

use of sound in this opening scene creates a sense of realism as there are many gunshots and exploding bombs portraying a war scene. The dialogue used is hard to hear and understand which conveys this element of shock and chaos with the soldiers.  The use of dull colours emphasises these emotions and makes the scene more disturbing to watch with all the gruesome deaths. This opening scene conveys the war genre

very well as it presents many deaths which are portrayed as being ordinary with a lot of blood present reflecting a battle
scene. The use of handheld cameras in this scene also conveys this sense of chaos, emphasising how intense the events were but also making the audience feel as if they are part of the action as it is so realistic.

I believe this is an effective opening scene as it coneys the genre through the use of the battle scene but the very beginning taking place in a cemetery also creates a more personal and emotional narrative preparing the audience for the rest of the film. The opening scene is more emotional contrasting with the chaotic battle sequence engaging the audience. This opening scene creates context as it introduces the protagonist of the film but also the setting. It conveys the genre very well and prepares the audience for the emotional journey of the rest of the film.