Saving Private Ryan (Spielberg, 1998)
Discussion Questions
North Seattle College, HUM 110: Introduction to American Film, JC Clapp
Come to class prepared to answer the below questions. Have notes ready, with specific examples, for
each question. You will not be asked to turn in your notes, but you may be called on or asked to give
your response. You may want to use these questions as a viewing guide, so that as you watch the film
you have a sense of what you might look for.
1. The opening scene has sounds with a high degree of verisimilitude. Identify the sounds
in the opening scene and how they lend authenticity to what's appearing on screen.
Then, look at how the cinematography works to add authenticity as well.
2. Consider the colors in this film -- notice how they are often desaturated. Choose a
particular scene and look carefully and how the colors are used.
3. What elements or motifs do you see repeated over and over in the film? What might
they lend to the film?
4. Music is an important element in this film. Choose a scene where you found the music
to particularly interesting and then consider how the music creates moods, builds
tension, and weaves with the narrative in that scene. How does the choice of music
affect the scene?
5. This is a period film set in the 1940's. Choose one scene you found that illustrates the
World War II era. Carefully and thoroughly describe the mise-en-scene of the scene you
chose. Then, consider how and why the scene was put together the way it was. What
effect did the choices in the mise-en-scene have?
6. There are multiple characters in this film. How are each of these characters developed
as individuals? Who are the protagonists? The antagonists? With whom are we meant
to sympathize?
7. What is the structure of this narrative? What are the key turning points in this film?
8. What themes do you see come forth in this film? How does Spielberg develop these
themes?
9. This is a war film that has clear messages about war. What ideologies are being
reinforced by this film? What ideologies are being undermined or questioned? How do
you know? Remember that you need to look at what Spielberg's message is and how it
is communicated, not whether or not you happen to agree with the message.