Sound - Research

Sound - Research

Sound effects:

A lot of sound is used in war films as they can be sound effect, such as gunshots and explosions, or they could be non-diegetic, such as voice-overs and music.
The sound effects are nearly always diegetic as they are heard by the character within the film, these can create an atmosphere as they can add a sense of urgency, for example if there is loads of gunshots and the sound of bullets whizzing past, it creates the sense that the characters are in danger and in conflict.

Voice-overs and soundtrack:
There is use of voice-overs and music within war films as well.
Music is used to create an atmosphere or mood for the film, in war films the music that is used mostly is instrumental music that is often slow paced and sometimes has a vocal part as well, the 2014 film 'Fury', the composer (Steven Price) uses a lot of vocal parts with the soundtrack for 'Fury', this creates a sense of ever-present people and civilians. The vocal used sounds German, which also creates a sense of the enemy always being present and watching them.
In 'Saving Private Ryan', John Williams' soundtrack has a sort of ceremonial or parade feel about it, this makes the film feel more authentic and also acts almost as a tribute to those who had died during the war, it is very orchestral and regimented as it has drums in it, making it feel like a march.

An example of soundtrack used in 'Fury'

An example of soundtrack in 'Saving Private Ryan'

Voice-overs often develop the character or aid in describing what is happening, an example of this is in the 1979 film 'All quiet on the western front' as the character is narrating in a non-diegetic voice-over. Voice-overs are very useful at telling the audience the context for the scene or adding further details in order for the audience to fully understand what is going on.

An example of voice-over in 'all quiet on the western front'