"Section C: US Cinema Comparative Study (40 marks)
One question from a choice of two.
Candidates are required to compare and contrast two films either from the same genre or dealing with a specific theme.
Both questions will have an emphasis on the relationship between aspects of the films' narrative in relation to generic characteristics.
The first question will be based primarily on narrative study.
The second will be based on contextual study.
Issues of representation will be common to both questions.
The films to be studied for this unit are:
The War of the Worlds (Byron Haskin 1953)
and
The War of the Worlds (Steven Spielberg 2005)
Both films are adaptations of the novel by H.G Welles.
You must look at the following areas in relation to both of your focus films. You will be looking for elements which are similar and different in these areas.
Representation
Social context
Messages and Values
Themes and Ideas
Narrative/Genre
CLOSE ANALYSIS - The War of the Worlds (Byron Haskin
To develop a critical understanding of the text.
To analyse the messages and values in the film.
To examine representation in the film.
To explore how significant setting and place is to the film’s themes.
To gain an understanding of the social context of the film.
Characters
Representation
In order to analyse a representation you must ask yourself the following:
How does all of this affect the film's themes and messages and values? Does the film uphold these ideas or challenge them?
AIMS
To develop a critical understanding of the text.
To analyse the messages and values in the film.
To examine representation in the film.
To explore how significant setting and place is to the film’s themes.
To gain an understanding of the social context of the film.
Messages and Values
Messages and values can often be identified most clearly in the endings of films. Put simply, messages and values are what the film is saying is 'good' or 'right'. What things (ideas, concepts, morals) are being celebrated and what are being denigrated?
Themes
Messages and Values
Key Scene 1 - The Ending
How do the characters look? Costume? Make up? Facial expression?
How do they sound? Voice? Aural motifs/ soundtrack? Diegetic sound design.
How do other people treat them?
Narrative – what happens to them? What do they do? What is their function in the narrative?
Setting and Place
Social Context
How does all of this affect the film's themes and messages and values? Does the film uphold these ideas or challenge them?
CLOSE ANALYSIS - The War of the Worlds (Steven Spielberg 2005)
To develop a critical understanding of the text.
To analyse the messages and values in the film.
To examine representation in the film.
To explore how significant setting and place is to the film’s themes.
To gain an understanding of the social context of the film.
Characters
Themes
Messages and values can often be identified most clearly in the endings of films. Put simply, messages and values are what the film is saying is 'good' or 'right'. What things (ideas, concepts, morals) are being celebrated and what are being denigrated?
Key Scene 1 - The Ending
Representation
Setting and Place
Social Context
Key Scene 2 -
COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE TEXTS
The exam question will ask you to critically compare the two American films you have studied for this topic - The War of the Worlds.
The areas you must be able to discuss with thorough detail are:
Themes and Issues
Messages and Values
Representation of Gender/Age
Significance of Setting and Place
Wider Social Context
Narrative/Genre
The exam question will ask you to critically compare the two American films you have studied for this topic - The War of the Worlds.
The areas you must be able to discuss with thorough detail are:
Themes and Issues
Messages and Values
Representation of Gender/Age
Significance of Setting and Place
Wider Social Context
Narrative/Genre
ADVICE FROM THE EXAM BOARD
PAST QUESTIONS
With particular reference to the endings of your chosen American films, compare their messages and values.
How useful have your wider contextual studies been in understanding similarities and differences in the American films you have studied for this topic?
What is significant about setting and/or place in your chosen American films?
In the American films you have studied for this topic, how far do the representations of either women or men reflect the time when they were made?
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