Mark out of 10: 7/10

Memorable scene: When the dive bombers bombard the soldiers on the beach.

5/10

a memorable scene for me had to be the final one when the pilot is standing isolated on the beach with the burning plane.

Preference- 9/10

Memorable scene: When the pilot is drowning and at the same time the soldiers are drowning in the ship.

Film element focus: Sound

Sound is one of the most significant elements used in Dunkirk. The Shepard tone, the most prominent use of non-diegetic sound in the film, is used within this film to give a sense of increasing tension within the plot and action. The sound creates an effect where you think that it is constantly rising. This technique is used at the most important moments of the film to create tension and engage the audience fully by making them anticipate the next move. The pitch sounds like it is getting higher, which causes the audience to stay engaged with the plot. As the audience should believe that the pitch is ascending, they would be drawn into the plot as the impatient music compliments the slow agony and almost truth of the film as the main story involves the agonising wait for rescue.  

Another important technique used, is that of a ticking watch. The sound of ticking is used in the film, mainly towards the start before the bombs are dropped. This can be used to show how time is running out for the troops, implicating the significance of their rescue. As the ticking continues, this creates a sense of frustration for the audience which reflects from the obvious feelings of the troops, as we awaiting the sound to finish. This shows how intense the situation would be, and reflects the anxious waiting game for the soldiers. The score is well known for the sounds like ticking, which are used to set the pace and tension within the film.  

Diegetic sound is used in various ways to create a sense of narration throughout the film. The types of sounds used, ranges from plane dips and dives, to rapid gunfire which all contribute towards the incredible storytelling of Dunkirk. The sounds contrast well against each other, as both we (the audience) and the characters can hear them. Most of them are extremely loud, which is significant in representing the overwhelming sincerity and honesty of the film because the clear sensitively shown in the retelling of the war story by showing the diegetic sounds as realistic as possible.  

Sound effects are used to particularly high standard in the film, especially when contrasted against the frequent, sheer silence. There are many moments of the film where tense, almost unbearable silence is broken by the most average and seemingly dull sound effect such as leaves rustling, which is suddenly transformed into highly significant because it almost brings us back to reality. 

Word Count: 414

FILM /10 Memorable Scene Film Element Focus

Dunkirk 7 scene when boat sinks and everyone is locked under the water. Sound

9/10

memorable scene- when they are pulling the men out of the water when they are covered in oil/ fuel and the just get out in time.