What Are the Intended Effects of the Opening of Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator’ and How Effective Are They?

Ridley Scotts Gladiator was released in 2000 and win five Oscars (Academy Awards) including Best Film, Best Visual Effects and Best Director. Scott cast some well cognise actors such as Russel Crowe and Richard Harris. Some reports suggest it cost an amazing 145 million.The casting of Crowe as Maximus was satisfying because he is able to portray a very(prenominal) well built, physically strong, battle-hardened leader. The character of Maximus contrasts with the casting of Harris as the ageing Emperor with his gaunt and pall looking features.From the very prohibitedset of the fritter away, the music director employs a burnt sienna effect coupled with a sullen, overcast almost monochrome effect. These combine to give the impression of finish tragedy as well as conveying that the events ar set in the distant past. The director has even asked the production companies Universal and DreamWorks to make their logos sepia to show continuity.The historical information provided he lps the audience to place the film in a historical consideration. The use of old Roman font for the text further reinforces the context and genre. The information is factual, gives predicts and information of real people. It is clear that this is going a historical, action film unless with a central theme about power, control and one mans fight for his freedom from the killing and slaughter.The low blastoff is an ingrained close up, when you would normally expect an extreme long shot to see the scene. The extreme close up is focusing on the actors hand floating through the grass. The slow quiet harmony helps to make the shot dreamlike. The main character seems alleviate because he is stroking the grass and he is corrosion a wedding ring to show he is a family man.After the slow close up shot the director shows the character solo on the battlefield which makes the previous scene a decisive dream. To establish that it was a dream the director jumps from a slow calm shot to a strong point close up on the character in a much dark and gloomy shot. The characters armor and wolf-skin shows that he is an grand man. The cut to a robin (a bird usually seen in winter) with a dark background tells the audience that it is winter. After eyesight the robin a small smile fights its way on to his face, which shows he is not just a gory, ruthless fighter and that he does have a reconcile side.The extreme long shot is good to set the scene of the battlefield, which is a dark and gloomy forest. The name of the location Germania is Roman for Ger many a(prenominal), by using the Roman language it helps to establish the fact that it is an old, Roman film. This shot is to a coarseer extent dramatic because it contrasts heavily with the previous dreamlike shot of the hand floating through a calm cornfield.The slow music (adagio) starts off the extreme long shot making the automated teller machine calm and gentle, it also makes it ominous because the adagio music is p laying in the battlefield shot. When the shot begins to zoom in the music becomes more lively and action packed just as the army starts coming into skyline so you know that they are going to war. The music includes trumpets and a few drums which makes the shot more martial. The sudden change in atmosphere and music starts to build up the tension and expectation that a great deal of action is imminent.As the shot moves to Marcus Aurelius, the audience can see that he is an important character. He is wearing gold along with a purple cape. The purple cape shows he is royal family because to make the colour purple a tiny sea pecker called a Murex Mollusc was required. This creature was very rare and large quantities were required to make a small amount of dye. in that respectfore, purple gar custodyts were super prized status symbols. Whilst zooming inward the camera shot used is a low angle which makes Marcus Aurelius seem very high on his horse. He is also just watching the war n ot doing anything and he has got a stern looking bodyguard.The director emphasises General Maximus authority by using a medium close up as he walks along all of his troops. Everyone is focused on him they move out of the way, stalk down and are always calling him sir to show complete respect. The costume he wears defines his authority, he wears more armour than the rest of his army and he is also wearing wolf-skin.The director stresses Maximus authority and respect by making his word final, the director shows this in the following quote, The range is good this is the sentence where Maximus cuts off the former(a) soldier, also is acceptable, then, agreed, Maximus speaks in a very low, quiet, considered tone of voice but the soldiers calm listen with no question which shows their respect for him.In the pre-battle motivational speech to his men, Maximus uses the type of language that his men can understand to encourage and motivate them. Three weeks from now I will be collect my cro ps. Think were you want to be and it will be so. Here he is making them think official about the future and set a goal for themselves. He then jokes that if they find themselves all alone they are already in Elysium (Roman afterwardlife). But then he uses a phrase that seems quite out of character for a tough, brutal general of an aggressive, imperial Roman army, What we do in life echoes in eternity. This line instantly marks out Maximus as having a spiritual and sentimental aspect to his character.There are many differences between the Romans and the German Tribesmen, for instance when Maximus is giving his speech all of his troops are in formation quietly listening and fully concentrating, by contrast the German Tribesmen are yelling and not giving any attention. The fighting style of the Romans is orderly, synchronised and they are in a finished battle formation, the Tribesmen are in disorganised running around like a rabble. The Romans are fitted out(p) with matching armou r and similar weapons whilst the Tribesmen have animal skins and rough individual weapons. The Romans appear to have a complete strategy and are disciplined, the Tribesmen just rely on their brute strength, and even their appearance is barbaric. The director helps to establish the difference between the two sides by taking the shots of each side one after the other.Toward the end of the battle the director employs a technique that seems completely unexpected. As the battle is raging, there is deafening martial music with lots of trumpets, drums and war cries. However as the battle is coming to a close and the Roman army is on the verge of victory, the director switches to slow motion shots and an adagio score. Instead of seeing swaggering Romans celebrating their victory and listening to triumphant music, the audience is left in a slightly addled state.It is almost as if the director is trying to communicate the futility of the death and destruction. As the last of the Germans a re cosmos slaughtered and fires are raging in the background the only human sound is the sound of heavy tired exhalation of breath, Even blood splattered, exhausted Maximus triumphant cry, Roma Victor and his soldiers cheers are almost lose in the adagio. Then in a scene that seals the futility of war, the camera focuses a tired, old, weary Emperor as he takes a deep breath and closes his eyes in an expression that reveals his sad resignation that some other battle has been won.At first glance, I just thought Gladiator was simply going to be a blood and guts film, But having watched it with greater attention, I believe it is a truly great film. Ridley Scott has carefully constructed an opening scene that brings out the futility of war and one mans struggle to be free. Scott had used many different effects such as slow motion photography, quick change in atmosphere and an almost monochrome set with the orange of burning fires and sepia tones. The musical score has switched between triumphant martial music and a slow adagio hinting of imminent tragedy and sadness. Even the minimal confabulation between the characters complements the directors intended effect. Overall this is a magnificent opening scene.