Peter Berg’s 2013 film, Lone Survivor, tells the true story of a SEAL team with the task of taking out an important Taliban leader, Ahmad Shah. The film follows the four SEALs, Marcus Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg), Michael Murphy (Taylor Kitsch), Danny Dietz (Emile Hirsch) and Matthew Axelson (Ben Foster), as they fight for survival when their mission goes wrong. In this particular scene Luttrell and Axelson are shown fighting for their lives while Murphy sacrifices himself to keep his comrades alive. Director Peter Berg does an incredible job of conveying a sense of chaos and fear in this very intense film, using different types of cinematography, editing and visual design.
Cinematography plays an important role in this scene especially, making the viewer more involved in the scene. One of the most important shots in giving the viewer this feeling is the point of view shot, which is used in this scene. We see this when Luttrell is firing at the Taliban fighters, we see through the scope of his rifle and then a close up of his face. This puts the viewer in the place of Luttrell, putting the viewer right in the action and feeling how the character feels. Special effects are also uses extensively in this scene to add a more realistic feel. The authentic appearance of gunshots and gore adds a lot of intensity and fear to this action packed scene.
In film, the editing sets the pace of the movie, and in this scene that becomes very apparent. At the beginning of this scene, shots are not more than a few seconds longs, creating a very fast paced and intense experience for the viewer. Near the end, the shots become longer, making the experience a more emotional one. Slow motion is used when Murphy is being shot, further adding to an emotional scene, but also making him appear more heroic.
Visual design is a huge part of any film, but in this scene it creates a very realistic feel. The scene was filmed at the Santa Fe National Forest which provided the rocky terrain that would be found in Afghanistan where the real mission took place. Costuming and Makeup of the actors gives them the look of elite, but worn down and injured soldiers that is required for the scenes authenticity. Equipment and camouflage of the SEALs is accurate for the 2005 time period where it takes place. Lighting is used to make Michael Murphy look very heroic when he makes the radio call, with the sun shining down on him.
Overall Peter Berg does an excellent job with this film, but especially this scene, giving the audience the sense of fear and intensity that goes along with war. Aspects of visual design, cinematography and editing are all used very carefully to create the authentic scene and give the viewer something to think about.
