English 11
Whose point of view
does this image
reflect? What details
can you not see
when limited to this
point of view?
 Describe what this
person is going
through in his or her
point of view.
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Cinematic Techniques
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Even though this story was originally
published in 1891, it reveals cinematic
style and includes the following
techniques:
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Close-Up Shots
Group Shots
Panoramic Shots
Fast Motion
Slowed Motion
Dream Sequences
Sound Effects and Quick Cuts
Moving Camera Shots
 How
does “The Occurrence at
Owl Creek Bridge” show
aspects of Realism?
• Harsh Realities of War
• Fate is Pre-determined
• Attention to details of the time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHqnSX4SJ_A
Film Analysis (Teacher Notes)
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In An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, one can clearly see the point of view is effectively applied and
imposes a much stronger sense of realism on the audience’s view of the main character. Throughout
the movie, the camera follows his line of vision thus creating the illusion that the audience is viewing
the surrounding environment through his eyes. For example, when the main character is being tied on
the plank, the camera shows his feet as if the viewer was looking at them. Similarly, just as he is
running through the forest, the camera is moving, making the audience believe they too are running
with him.
When reflecting on film techniques used to establish point of view, sound immediately comes to mind.
When the man is quickly swimming down the creek, the only sounds the audience can hear are the
commands of the officer to fire as the shots explode out of the guns. By using this technique, the
audience can see how the man is so focused on surviving and escaping the gunshots that the rest of
the environment is completely channeled out. This is further emphasized by the use of the song,
which sings “I’m a living man.” Again, this reinforces the idea that the man was intent on escaping
death and shows his joy at his “survival.” Although he lived such happiness through a fantasy, this
song shows the audience his bliss at the prospect.
Mise-en-scene is also used throughout the movie to establish point of view. For example, when the
main character is looking at the soldiers surrounding the bridge, the line of soldiers fills the entire
screen. This shows the audience their prevalence in the woods and the main character’s awareness
of the threat. One can also see an example of mise-en-scene when the main character is running
towards the woman. Throughout the beginning of the shot, the camera never shows both characters
at once. Both characters occupy a shot alone until the final scene. In terms of point of view, it shows
the audience not only the woman welcoming him back but the man’s intent on reaching her in his
attempt to fulfill this fantasy. When they are both in the scene, the fantasy comes to a halt as the
plank is dropped and the man is killed.
I can honestly say that I did fall for the “trick” ending. In seeing him run towards the woman at the
close of the movie, I viewed it as a hallucination. However, when reflecting upon the movie as a
whole, the filmmakers gave the audience several clues that it was, in fact, fantasy, such as the gates
that appeared in the path and the light that shined over the woods. By depicting “the gates of heaven”
or “the light at the end of the tunnel,” the ending should have been no surprise.