Candidate 6

Choose a film which contains a sequence of great power, excitement or tension. Briefly explain the context of the sequence in the film as a whole and go on to show how the effect is created. You should refer in your answer to mise en scene and soundtrack.

In the film Braveheart one of the most exciting scenes is that of the Battle of Stirling. This is an extremely long scene, this being because it is the first battle and there is a need to show the audience the details here, so they won’t all need to be shown in the later battles. (Also because it is famous and the turning point of Wallace’s fortunes).

The Scottish army has arrived – assembled by the nobles – but the intention is not to fight, but to negotiate. The English army arrives, and the Scots are overwhelmed by the sheer numbers. They turn to go. While the nobles try to convince them to stay, Wallace arrives with his men, rallies the army together. The nobles then go to discuss King Edward’s terms with the leaders of the English army. Wallace goes with them and proceeds to humiliate the English until there are no options left but to fight. The battle is then fought and won by the Scots.

The different emotions that appear in this scene are mirrored by the soundtrack which is, therefore, a key element to the effect of the scene as a whole.

When we first see the Scots army, there is no music. This has been done purposely, as there is nothing happening. Also the lack of music is itself building tension, as music hints at what will happen, so here we have no idea what will happen. The music begins when the English begin to appear, although we are still allowed to hear the marching feet and hooves and the rattle of their mail. The music is ominous and as we see the Scots looks of concern. The music tells us also what they are feeling. The next significant moment when music is used is when Wallace arrives. This is the first time we hear this tune and it is proud music with the Scottish influences dominating it. Suddenly we have a feeling that everything will be all right. As Wallace goes on to deliver his speech, the music rises and falls with the emotions he is showing: anger, Passion, his love of his country. The music reaches its peak when they all come together and in one unanimous voice decide to fight. There is a break in the music here, until they prepare to fight. This is because when they are discussing the king’s terms the dialogue is very important, so we must not be distracted by the music.

The music resumes when Wallace joins his men and they mentally prepare to fight. At this point there is a single drumbeat. This shows the total silence and concentration of each man and represents one heartbeat which they all share. This goes on for some time and the tension mounts, until the Scots let out a war cry and the Scottish bagpipes begin. Previously Irish bagpipes were used as their sound is less harsh than Scottish bagpipes, but for the battle scene the Scottish are more appropriate, because they are harsh. The English fire their arrows, some Scots are killed, but the cry and music resumes. The English now send their horsemen (cavalry) in and this is where the real tension begins. As the horses get closer and closer, the short sharp repeated tune on the violins begins. This is completely different to anything in the whole film, because the scene is different. The battle begins and there is no music. This is so we can see and hear the fighting. The music resumes when the Scots realise they have won and they let out a resounding cheer as the same music which was played when Wallace

first arrives is played. The use of the same piece of music links the two bits together. Wallace at first is the only believer and at the end they are all believers.

The mise en scene also contributes massively to this scene and works with the music to create the overall effect. The shots of the Scots soldiers, where the camera is running down the front row helps to personalise the Scots. We see many different faces all wearing the same expression. In contrast when the English arrive, we are only given shots of the leaders’ faces. Their soldiers are also going to die, but it doesn’t matter. We don’t see them as individuals, but as a group who obey the villains.

When Wallace arrives he comes over a hill, he is also on a horse which makes him appear bigger than everyone else. The close–ups of his face here show his confidence and determination. The fascinating thing about his speech is the horse’s movements. They seem to reflect his emotion. When Wallace’s speech rises the horse runs. This is also apparent when he goes with the nobles to talk with the English. He himself is agitated, as is his horse and he is menacing. When he returns to his men we again see lots of faces. All these men are prepared to give their lives, we feel their fear.

Mel Gibson’s use of horses in this film is very interesting. When the cavalry approach we see the horses’ hooves and heads in slow motion. They stay in slow motion until they become nearer to the Scots. Now they are moving at normal speed and there follows a barrage of different shot: behind the English, looking at the Scots and vice versa, English faces, Scots faces, horses’ hooves, hand held shots as if the camera were attached to the horse and there is a shot reverse shot zoom between the English and Wallace’s face. When the fighting begins the camera moves quickly to show the confusion of the scene.

When it is all over we see the shot of Wallace’s face against a pure blue sky. This has been used earlier on and will be used again. This last look at Wallace against the sky is the last shot in the scene and shows the contrast of the music – proud and good – to the mise en scene – savage, but these work together to give us the overall image of Wallace, and is a good example of how music and mise en scene work together in film.

Assessment commentary on candidate 6

UnderstandingThis candidate is not concerned with the discourses of the text, as they have not been asked for in the question. Rather she has got to grips with the language of the sound as it has constructed the battle at Stirling. Her understanding of how the film aurally has been constructed is quite clear. She has then gone on to deal with the meaning of the camera shots.

AnalysisShe has explained how the techniques have worked, and supported them with evidence from the text. She does for example explain how the ominous music builds the atmosphere at Stirling, and then how it changes to prepare for Mel Gibson’s pre battle speech. She also understand how the music combines with the mise en scene, and says so specifically ‘The mise en scene also contributes massively to his scene and works well with the music’ to create the overall effect. ‘The use of the close–ups personalise the Scots, unlike the shots of the English’. There is sufficient detail here to meet the requirement of an indicator of excellence.

EvaluationAn enjoyment of the film is clear underneath the prose. She has not stated her pleasure specifically, but rather implied it in ‘suddenly we have a feeling that everything will be all right’ as well as in the raciness of her writing. She does not go beyond this to evaluate the skill of the film making.

ExpressionHer line of thinking is clear, and the connection between the two strands of thinking is also clear. She has an understanding of the language of the film, but is thin on the nomenclature or the detail of the actual types of shots. There is more could be said about the use of the pan, the zoom etc in this scene. HOWEVER, THE QUESTION HAS NOT ASKED FOR THIS. Furthermore there is no conclusion to round off the essay.

The analysis and awareness of techniques rise above pass level. Higher – Grade B.

Candidate 5

Choose a text which represents a group in society in a way which affected your views. By closely referring to the text, explain how these representations were constructed and why they changed your views.

Having known very little about the history of Scotland the film Braveheart was an opportunity to learn something. There are many groups within this film but it is the representation of both the English and the Scottish which I find most interesting.

The opening shots of Scotland are very stereotypical: rolling hills, mist, clear waters. The fact that a pan shot is used here indicates the land is seen from a bird’s view – this represents freedom. The music is spiritual which then moves into a proud theme which is used at certain points throughout the film so right away we feel quite emotionally involved with Scotland. In the next scene this theme is developed. The music becomes ominous and Bruce’s voice is heard (although we do not know it is his voice at this point). We are told that English historians will deny what their Scottish counterparts say, but ‘history is written by those who have hanged heroes’. This make us dislike the English immediately.

When we first see the Scottish people it is apparent that they belong to Scotland, the earth, where they are. Their clothing is coloured very naturally. They are not well groomed, although they are still attractive. The montage of Wallace leaving Scotland as a boy and the wedding of the English prince and French princess helps to build this contrast of the way they each look. The English are dressed in very colourful clothes, are clean – too clean – they have many manicured haircuts and are very stiff. The music used for their first appearance is a mass which is very long winded: not at all light hearted.

This wedding is held in contrast with the two Scottish weddings that follow which are full of emotion. This is just one of the situations which is paralleled during the film. The funeral of Wallace’s father and Murrin is also a parallel. They are used as contrast or as a reinforcement of a point, always however making the Scots look good and the English bad.

The plot itself gives the biggest representation of the Scots and English. From the beginning we feel sorry for Wallace (because of the death of his father) so we are more likely to be drawn to him when he returns. We learn of his simple intentions and watch in horror as they fall apart, beginning with the death of Murrin. Her death is the fault of an English soldier who is physically repulsive to reflect his nasty character. He is yet another reason to dislike the English.

The first stand is made – and won – by the Scots, and although Wallace is extremely brutal, we can understand why because his relationship with Murrin was so intense.The actions taken by the English king are equally as brutal, although we cannot excuse him, as we see no sorrow in his life. The order of prima nocte, the intimidation towards his son, the suggestions made towards the princess and the death of Philip the prince’s ‘friend’ all make him a thoroughly dislikeable character, and as he is leader of the English, they become the enemy.

So by using all of these techniques the representation of the Scots versus the English is made clear. In the time setting of the film, I came away disliking all the English and liking most of the Scots. This is what the film set out to do and it successfully achieved it.

Assessment commentary on candidate 5

UnderstandingThis candidate has a grasp that the drift of this film is setting up the Scots as good, and the English as bad. It is rather too simplistic however. She has not come to grips with the role of young Bruce, which is vital to an understanding of the deeper levels of this film. There are plenty of textual references to support her simplistic stance but there is no real depth. Furthermore much of it is content only.

AnalysisThere is very little serious analysis in this script. There are some reference to how meaning is made by the music, the mise en scene, and the camera work. However the analysis of how the meaning is made is almost non–existent: (she does explain the pan shot of the Highlands, but does not go beyond that).

EvaluationThere is little evidence of a personal stance or critical approach beyond the opening paragraph, nor is there any evaluation of the film techniques.

ExpressionThere is a line of thinking, but it is very thin. The use of critical terminology is likewise thin. She has explained how mise en scene works, but has failed to use this term.

The essay is technically fair, but the writing lacks style.

Intermediate 2 – Fail