Master and Commander: exam style questions

1. Explain two ways the characters and/or events in the extract fit the action adventure genre. Use examples from the extract. [10]

Russell Crowe, who plays Jack Aubrey, conforms to the action/adventure genre as he is very demanding and is out in the role of leadership. We can see this as he is the first person that we see in the extract, he starts by giving out an order to get ready for battle. This foreshadows the upcoming events of war and battle which are key elements in action genre- good versus evil. As the battle is happening, a lot of fast paced action is used to convey to the audience that a tense moment is happening for the characters. Throughout the battle scene is happening, we see Jack fighting and commending his crew for the bravery that they have fought when the battle is over. This shows that the protagonist is resourceful and clever and that conflict is resolved through violence.

Another factor is that the characters are all men, this is a common feature in action/adventure films as it shows that they are all physically and mentally strong and capable for battle. This shows that the protagonist is attractive and resourceful against the antagonist. The Captain orders the men to fight with bravery and willpower which shows that the characters will fight with bravery despite the seemingly impossible odds that they may face. The audience will see this characters as a heroic figure and the story will surround around them so it is important that the audience can relate and empathise with the main character. This is another reason that the main character is played by a young person, as it is mainly aimed at teenagers and so they need a figure to associate with.

2. Explain how each of the following is used to create effects that fit the action adventure genre:

• soundtrack
• camerawork
• editing
• mise-en-scène. [20]

Soundtrack- There is an extensive use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound in the extract, particularly at the beginning scenes as dialogue is heard by the Captain giving orders and soon following is the sound of warfare- cannons and also some tense music to add effect throughout the war scenes. This helps create a tense atmosphere for the audience and sets a mood for the action taking place. This is shown by a sound bridge as the sounds of warfare continue on from different scenes with synchronous sounds of shouting and firing of cannons and shrapnel.

Camerawork- The extract starts with an establishing shot of the ship, this sets the scene for the audience and helps them with their initial thoughts of the action that is about to take place. A dolly zoom is then used to create an effect of the chaos in the scene. In this extract, the main characters, Jack, is standing away from the audience and the background is filled with the crew members working to get the ship ready for battle. Throughout the main battle, a hand-held camera was used to create a more 'personal' feel for the action that is taking place. This helps the audience feel like they are in the battle itself and helps them feel like they are taking part in the battle.

Editing- As the main part of the extract is a battle, the majority is presented as cross-cutting editing from the perspectives of the crew men firing and loading cannons below deck and the action taking place on the main part of the ship. This is used to build suspense and help guide the audience to certain aspects of the action. Fast-paced editing is also used to establish action occurring at the same time in different locations which uses different cut scenes in one fast presentation to make the audience feel like the action is taking place quickly and can build tension.

Mise-en-scène- The costumes of the characters are all period clothing, this signifies the time period in which the director wanted the film to take place in (around 1650-1730, which was the golden age of piracy.) The audience will have very little knowledge of that time period and will most likely be a place that they have not been before, this helps the audience's initial thoughts on the scene to help them see how the plot will develop further with the characters. The overall lighting throughout the battle scenes are very dark and eclipses to connote a mood of darkness and unease. The audience can sense this as it differs greatly from the beginning of the extract where the lighting was much brighter and each individual character was visible. This can have an ambiguous meaning on the audience as they can associate the beginning of the extract with peace and serenity of being along on the ship. However the dark atmosphere connotes a sense of panic and as it the 'shadow' effect represents chaos and havoc.

3. Discuss how people are represented in the extract. [20]

Throughout the extract the characters are represented stereotypically and atypically to connote and celebrate different values and ideals. Firstly it is gender stereotypical as the extract shows all men in the scene preparing for battle. This could represent that women are not physically capable for battle, or perhaps it was common in the time period that it was set in that women were not allowed to be on ships and be engaged into battle. However, this is a common feature in action/adventure films where the protagonist is male and is attractive in comparison to the antagonist who is presented as unappealing so that the audience gathers a sense of hatred for the antagonist character. Another stereotype that they follow is ethnic stereotype as all the crew in the establishing shot are white men. However, when thinking of the time period that it is set in it could connote that the British flag that they raise just before battle shows their grouped colony and how they may have been travelling and invading other countries.