-GLADIATOR-

How is sound used to create meaning in the opening sequence?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gladiator's opening sequence begins by the long-shot introduction of the setting with a subtitle that reads “Germania”. A heroic – orchestral score plays in the background and sets the mood of an olden war time. In addition the mise-en-scene  portrays the time this is set in: a roman-war time, by using the metallic soldier gear and sound effects to emphasize it. Furthermore, the cinematography accompanies the music as the camera crescendos into a higher angle long shot synchronised with the music gets louder. 

 

This first scene gives a brief introduction of what is going on and the accompaniment of the sound connotes it somehow as a “heroic” and a “proud” moment. As an audience we later find out that this was indeed a good scene as they won the war. Nevertheless, the score's dynamics (increase of the volume) shows “strength and honour”. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is introduced from an establishing shot. As more of the set is being revealed.The ambient sounds change; first come the main diegetic sounds which are of horses galloping and the soldiers shouting, the rest is covered by the score. However, as the camera uses close-ups and low angles to focus on the horses hooves or specific horses jumping, the sound effects of the galloping and neighing become louder than the background music. This adds realism and also connotes sound perspective, making the audience feel like they are in the frame and nearer the focused props.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the following scene the general is presented to the audience; short reverse shots of the soldiers saluting him and a close up of his face suggest he is respected and loved. His costume is more luxurious and exotic making him stand out, moreover the change in narrative to a restricted (his own POV)  characterize him as a protagonist. 

Hans Zimmer's background score becomes quieter giving way for the short first pieces of dialogue. The section of the music feels more continous and chronous as it flows accompanying the general as he walks past. This gives the idea of his importance and heroism. 

 

As he continues to walk past the rest of their territory, sound perspective is used when a wooden wheel is being turned; during a fire which is being lit and the exchange of dialogue between soldiers. These sound effects get louder as he gets nearer but fade out as he distances himself. The use of sound perspective is key as it puts the audience in the characters ears making them hear what he is supposedly hearing as he walks by. It adds to that already created feeling that the audience is in the film and also makes it a lot more engaging. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next comes the dialogue between Quintis and the general. The tune of the score become high pitch yet quieter when the close-up of the two characters is shown. This makes it easier for the audience to hear yet manages to create a tense mood by using sharp notes that show their conversation is important. 

 

The score dies out as a man from the enemies' army announces their arrival with a dialogue - deep loud shout. It allows for a ghost-like sound effect to fill the background, although the sound effects of their horses and people shouting/protesting are highlighted and maintained louder. The effect is blended with the people's voices to seem as if they are the ones making the sound. 

As they walk into the setting their props can be heard displaying more use of sound effects. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cinematography and sound are synchronised as the camera angles and position changes using close-ups, the volume changes. However, I think that the narrative is not restricted anymore, because it lacks to seem realistic as the volume is equally loud from the general's POV eventhough he is standing further away from the enemies' voices. 

 

The General kneels down to do his well-known gesture of picking some of the soil and rubbing his hands. During this, the sound effects dissolve whilst the non-diegetic ghost-like background music crescends and is layered with a deep bass sound motif used throughout the movie to represent Maximus.

 

In this shot we move back into Maximus' perspective and restrictive narrative, the close-up and shallow focus allows the audience to concentrate on this specific action causing them to remember it and feel the suspense emotions. A reverse shot shows the dog and use of sound effect (whimper). The cinematography exhibits this as a sentimental scene, revealing the care they have for each other (man and dog) also the worry or tension Maximus is feeling is connoted by the background music. 

 

As he stands up, the vocal sound created by the opposite army sets an action beat that gets the audience ready for an epic battle. Additionally, the score returns lower and more legato than before.

Lastly, as the general gets on his horse and gallops through the soldiers similar sound effects are being repeated. In the background the ambient sound of men shouting is still playing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scott's use of cinematography is very smart, he allows the audience to feel like their in the war zone, because he cuts continuosly to different angles but portraying the same scene. He uses over-the shoulder shots, back shots, close ups and long shots to give a complete idea of what the character is doing and what is happening in their surrounding. In just three minutes there is 62 cuts, many of them are reverse shots and close -ups but also there is a lot of use of low canted angles.

 

In conclusion, sound is used to create meaning by emphasizing actions and helping to express emotions – what the characters are feeling or thinking-. It is a link between the audience and the film, it takes one step more in making the audience emotionally attached to what is happening on-screen.