Blog Assignment 8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX6dHWyqwNo

Blog 8

The director of this film cleverly utilized this revamped version of the Beatles’ song “I Want You” and was able to change the meaning or theme of the sequence from a love song into a musical number that expresses the very real fear of being drafted into military service. This is exemplified in the scene by how the protagonist is forcefully processed through what could be compared to as basic training. The theme is didactically imposed upon the audience because of how the camera reveals how he would rather lie about how physically and mentally incapable of military service he is rather than risk going to war.

One way that lines help reinforce the theme is at the very beginning of the sequence the camera tilts from up to down depicting a wide intimidating government building as ominous music begins to play in the background. Because of the fact that building takes up the entire shot and is shown from top to bottom it understood that it is a frightening place, likely because of the long vertical and horizontal lines that frame the building in the shot and the slow descending motion of the camera that makes it appear even larger. Rhythm also is another element that helped reinforce the theme because of how the director utilized specific shots in the sequence such as; the close up shot of the protagonist’s feet slowly climbing the stairs of the building, and the shot of him double-taking at the realization of two large images of Uncle Sam reaching out at him which functions as an establishing shot from his point of view as two military figures drag him onto a sort of assembly line for soldiers. These examples and others reinforce the theme of apprehension against military service by depicting the main character as weak and diminished in size in comparison with the “officers” training him. The director also accomplishes this in many ways, first by exposing all of the trainees in their underwear in contrast with the all so similar looking officers who are fully dressed in matching uniforms, and also by displaying fighting moves on the cadets while simultaneously dancing.