Reflection of directing styles in Saving Private Ryan and The Patriot-APA (compare and contrast)

Essay by tandy409University, Bachelor'sA+, March 2005

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Saving Private Ryan vs. The Patriot

Moviemakers have the power to portray the world as they see it. Since there are so many different directors out there, we as viewers, are presented with a variety of interpretations. I am a gigantic movie buff, and have therefore watched every war movie directed. If one director views war as completely disastrous, while yet another sees glory in it, we would find ourselves viewing two contrasting depictions of war. Two recent films that clearly prove this point are Steven Speilberg's Saving Private Ryan and Roland Emmerich's The Patriot.

Both movies are about a historic war. Both were released at approximately the same time, yet both create an entirely different image of war. Ironically, Both Ryan and The Patriot were written by the same individual, Robert Rodat. By using different dramatic, literary, and cinematic aspects, Speilberg and Emmerich present their opinions, as well as emotions, on the screen.

Each movie also has creatively developed plot lines and characters. Lastly, both were gargantuan winners at the box office.

Ryan takes place during World War II. Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) is given a mission to find and recover Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), whose three brothers were already killed in action. The Patriot is the story of a father of seven (Mel Gibson) and veteran of the French and Indian War. Although he shows disapproval of the current American Revolution, personal vengeance forces him to be a hero in the war. Although the screenplay could account for a film's viewpoint, it is the directing which creates the visual picture

The setting in Ryan's opening scene is a veteran cemetery where we are immediately reminded of the worst result of war: death. The second scene takes place on Omaha Beach, the combat zone...