GLADIATOR EXTRACT

This is what I have done so far on the Gladiator extract, in Friday's lesson and for homework. I will be doing more and adding to the answers over half term:

NOTES:

1.      Events combat and conflict fighting archers cavalry good v evil typical of AA

Characters heroic protagonist inspires troops gives orders leads army brave

Villainous antagonists brutal throw head of soldier at the army headless rider

2.      Soundtrack strings elegy death of soldiers to come

        Strings crescendos for suspense

Percussion drums suspense

Diegetic sound war cries and clink of armour

Editing special FX headless rider gruesome shocking brings home reality of war

 

Mise en scene dark grey bleak forest

Costumes armour shows they’re going to war, show period of fight

Camera work shots of admiring looks of king shots from below

Low angle shots of king to show him as powerful

3.      Gender stereotype archetypal alpha male strong brave fearless

Race and nationality Romans look clean presentable distinguished villains rugged covered in hair and fur hidden threatening evil

ANSWERS:

1.      Gladiator is a classic action and adventure film. It is typical of the AA genre because the narrative includes conventions such as combat and conflict. There is about to be a war between the Romans and the barbarians. This is shown by all the soldiers lined up in regiment, charging at each other across the forest. It is also shown by all the Roman soldiers preparing for war by getting their weapons and armour ready. Another typical convention of AA films in spectacle, which this extract includes. For instance when the headless rider comes back and it is revealed that the rider has been decapitated it is shocking and so creates spectacle.

Another way the extract is typical of the AA genre is through the characters. There is a heroic protagonist, the Roman king. He is shown as the protagonist because he gives orders to the troops and leads the army. He is clearly respected and of high authority from the way the other soldiers look admiringly at him, and from the way he makes decisions for example about the cavalry’s position. There is also a villainous antagonist (the barbarians) which is a further typical feature of AA films. They are shown as the villains because they kill decapitate one of the protagonist’s army and come to fight them.

2.      The soundtrack of the extract includes non-diegetic sound such as the string music which plays at the start of the extract. The strings sound melancholy, sad and elegiac which indicates to the viewer that there will be death soon. There is also diegetic sound such as the metallic sounds of the armour and weapons. This shows that there will be a war and makes the battle feel realistic and like the viewer is really there.

The editing in the extract includes the headless rider and the decapitated head. They look gruesome and lifelike, and emphasise to the viewer the brutality of the barbarians. Special effects are also used after the scene with the man walking through the corn field to fade back to the king with his eyes closed. This fade in shows the viewer that the scene before was a dream or a thought of his, and so reveals something about the character (in this case his hopes for his life after the war).
NB: I am not sure if the highlighted point counts as SFX but I couldn’t find another example
Mise en scene is used to create the bleak atmosphere of the battle by setting it in a dark, grey, dismal forest after sunset. This sets the tone of the scene: sad, scary, where many will die. Mise en scene is also used through the costumes of the soldiers, which are very traditional Roman armour, to show the period the battle is set in and also to indicate that there will be a war very soon. Additionally, the armour makes the Roman army easily distinguishable from the enemy who wear thick, dark furs.
Camera work in the extract is used to stress the power of the king. For example, the point of view shot of the soldier’s faces as he walks along shows their admiring looks and how they look up to and respect him. This shows the king’s authority.
There are also some high angle shots from above to show the size of the Roman army. It looks huge and so makes the battle appear more important and spectacular.

3.      In terms of gender stereotypes the Roman soldiers are the archetypal alpha males, for example the king. He is brave, fearless and strong, unafraid to go and fight a battle he knows he may die in. In this way he and his army fit this stereotype.
The protagonist’s soldiers also fit a stereotype of looking very typically Roman. They have strong armour, helmets and shields and wear colours like red, silver and gold. In comparison the barbarians are rugged, covered in hair and fur. They do not look as distinguished as the Roman army and instead appear threatening and evil because we cannot see their faces and they hide, camouflaging with the woods.
The Roman soldiers are also shown as fearless and brave because for example the king and his army appear calm under pressure and do not break down even when one of their men comes back decapitated. This portrays them as fearless compared to the barbarians who are cowardly and mean and hide in the forest, never completely revealing themselves. Whereas, the Roman army stands their ground proudly and bravely showing them to be the true heroes in this text.