The document provides a detailed analysis of several scenes from the film 300. It describes how cinematography and mise-en-scene are used to establish relationships between characters and create tension. Specific shots like close-ups, long shots, and shot reverse shots are examined. Elements of setting, lighting, costumes, and props are discussed in terms of the atmosphere and meaning they convey. Key moments like Leonidas being taken for training, fighting his father, hunting a beast, and emerging victorious are outlined. In summary, the document analyzes how technical film elements are employed effectively to tell the story and character development across scenes from the opening to Leonidas becoming king.

2. The sequence opens with the opening title of the film ‘300’. The deep black background and blood red text in the
style of splattered blood connotes that the film is based upon darkness, gore and illustrates that the director wants
the viewer to feel unease as the rumbling tones of diegetic thunder creates the atmosphere of danger and
uncertainty. The low key lighting is a warm orange filter tone which is a juxtaposition of the blue tones in other
duskier scenes. The off white dull sky already suggests the film has a magical element as skies are associated to
being blue. Also the colour of the sky is a similar tone to the close up shot of the skulls we see as the sequence
unwraps suggesting that death is a major element of the movie. The shot moves to a close up of a baby in which
with non-diegetic voiceover explains the fate of the baby’s life. The extreme close up of the old man’s eyes
highlights the concentration of the eyes to suggest its importance. The representation of the old man is that
he is wise which links into stereotypes and he is also portrayed in a god like figure with his white long hair and
rough sack clothing because he is choosing whether the baby lives or dies.
The scene merges with the low angle shot of the man still inspecting the baby while the non-dietetic voice over
plays on. This low angle establishes the authority of the old man displaying his commandment. The man then lifts
the baby up from over the Clift which overlaps with the iconic scene of Lion king when the cub is elevated showing
that its status is important. The deep focus from the baby to the skulls establishes the importance of life and death
in the Greek culture, linking back to the theme of death.
Opening shot

3. The next scene then dissolves into a panning shot as the boy rising to a
point of view mid angle shot, as the sound bridge connotes the next stage
of the boy’s life. The setting for the scene is a stereotypical small Greek
architecture arena. The tall columns and rounded structure are conventions
of such an establishment. The stereotypical setting would relate to a
primary audience like Gladiator fans as it is a representation in the history
of Greece, also because it is stereotypical the secondary audience British…
would deem that, that was how ancient Greece appeared therefore setting
the scene.
The scene begins with the main character Leonidas practising combating
with his father. You can tell from the garments and camera angle who
has the perceived dominance in the scene. Leonidas father is a tall
and muscular man. His build is idolized as the ‘perfect Greek body’
and implies he is powerful. In contrast young Leonidas is slender
built and his hair is shaved short; preserving the nature of training.
Leonidas is wearing little clothing suggesting he is vulnerable to his
father. Furthermore when the father is fighting with the child the
camera is on a slight low angle towards for father again- highlighting
his power. The main prop being the sword is the key focus of the
scene as the non-verbal communication between the father and son
highlights the intense pleonastic sounds of the swords suggesting it
has importance to a Greek warrior which you later find out in the film.

4. The master shot between the father and son is a key moment displaying a relationship between them
both as the high key lighting conveys a cherished atmosphere divergent to the other scene prior. The
shot reverse shot of young Leonidas and his father as the pleonastic sound of the father tapping onto
the shield is his way of saying good bye to Leonidas childhood, as he is ready to be taken away for
further training. In this scene the father is wearing a Spartan cape and gladiator shoes which is linked
to other successful war film such as the Gladiator in which both the characters refine in the same
sense of style.
The mid angle shot of the mother being held back while she watches helplessly at her son being taken
away. The mother is an attractive brunette woman. In media the portrayal of brunette women is that
they our stronger and more intelligent. Her hair style of braids is a traditional hairstyle of Greek
women and her attractiveness links with this idea that she is a Greek goddess. Her clothing is a long
dress all white, signifying purity and clarity. The soundtrack of this scene is almost similar to a mothers
cry highlighting her pain knowing her child might not come back. The long shot of the boy being taken
off into the distance then jump cuts into a close up of the mother’s face showing she is hopeless
watching her son in the distance as he is left to fend for himself in the wild.
The low to high angle of Leonidas violently punching another boy shows that Leonidas is growing
stronger and into the over the shoulder shot in which the slow motion of blood presents the
powerfulness of Leonidas. Both the young boys in this scene are unclean and grabby looking indicating
the brutality of the training. The low angle shot of Leonidas again rising into the shot as the
background lighting is half-darkness and other light suggests at this moment he has finally grow up
and presenting this idea of good and bad of becoming a Spartan warrior.

5. The scene moves into a panning shot of the boy (whom is older now) publicly being whipped in the streets and being taught
to show no pain or mercy. In the background of the scene again we see young boys who all have shaved heads showing that
they are yet not a man, and little clothing compared to the adults who are more fully clothed suggesting that the adults have
more authority. The clothing colours are dull and beige as bright colours were meant for royalty or the rich showing that they
have little money.
The scene then jump cuts to a long shot of Leonidas carrying a large spear hunting at night in the snowy mountains as the
tracking shot follows his movement. The atmosphere in this scene begins as the low key lighting and the lighting on Leonidas
is shadowy as of being thrown into the wilderness alone suggesting danger as well as the snow making it more dramatic. The
wide angle shot of him camouflaging into the darkness indicates he is hiding from something, as the diegetic sounds of a wolf
growling merges. A close up of Leonidas face shows his reaction of fearlessness to it making the scene become more intense.
The shot then changes to a long shot of the beast appearing from the darkness and turning its attention to Leonidas the
soundtrack becomes more sinister. The mythical beast has dark thick hair and is a large build. The extreme close up onto the
beast face reveals sharp long teeth and gleaming amber eyes. The colour amber is used to get attention in which the beast
wants.

6. The long shot of Leonidas luring the wolf into a narrow fissure in a cliff as the tracking shot of Leonidas and the
beast moving deeper until the beast movement is severely restricted and the consistent shot reverse shot, close
up on both the characters face adds a dynamic suspense. With the deep drumming beat comes the dramatic end
as the over the shoulder shot shows Leonidas -killing the beast with the pleonastic sound of the spear cutting the
beast, as the extreme close up shot of the clouds moving away from the moon signifies his greatness and
accomplishment.
In summary mise-en-scene and cinematography are used effectively to clearly establish the authority and power
between the characters and to show the relationship and expression during Leonidas upbringing. Cinematography
is used successfully by the director through his ranges of shots such as shot reverse shots and master shots
building up the tension and the dramatic parts of the fight scenes. Mise-en-scene is also used effectively to set
the location of the scene and the lighting of low key and high key creating the atmosphere of the scene. The final
scene shows the victory of Leonidas as he becomes the King of Spartan.
Final shot