Page 50 - Introduction to Electronic Commerce and Social Commerce

Sport on Film • 39

Chariots of Fire uses sound and editing to develop the drama surrounding the
men’s 100-metre Olympic final. Rowe (1999: 160) has described Chariots of Fire as

the ‘definitive sports film of the 1980s’ and highlighted the importance of the evocative

electric soundtrack by Vangelis. The film deals with issues around the exclusivity of

the British middle and upper classes, nationalism, ethnic prejudices and the amateur
ethos. In the scene before the race begins, the hero, Harry Abrahams, is shown in the
changing room, where he fi nds a letter from his coach, Sam Mussolini. Mussolini’s
voice reading the letter is heard, creating the effect of listening to Harry’s personal

thoughts. In the letter are final instructions for the race and a good luck charm that
was given to the coach by his father. While the letter is read, the camera focuses on
each of the main competitors as they sit quietly, seriously thinking about the upcom-
ing event. There is very slow music playing, along with soft lighting to indicate
the quiet, individual and methodical preparations for the event. Suddenly, there is
an abrupt edit, accentuated by loud band music, and we see and hear the cheering
crowd, as the athletes walk onto the track in a blaze of sunlight. In this sequence,
sound is employed as a transitional device, and the solitary, quiet scenes of the
changing room are contrasted with the very public nature of an Olympic event. The
sound changes again as the runners get into position on the track. The camera moves
in slow motion, and the only sounds are music, which is slow and almost eerie. The
absence of crowd noise, dialogue and band music is noticeable. We hear the sound
of the trowel as the runners dig into the cinder track to create their starting places
and there is a sequence of close-ups highlighting parts of the body in preparation
such as shoes, hands digging, faces and runners’ legs. A close-up of the charm dem-
onstrates its emotive and narrative significance. The slowness builds tension as the

runners prepare. The camera cuts to the coach pacing and looking at his watch, again
creating a sense of tension. As the runners get into place, there is a camera shot from
Abrahams’s perspective, and we see ourselves looking down the empty track. This
image is accompanied by the sound of beating hearts. The quiet tension is broken by
the crack of the starting gun, and the noise of the crowd rushes back in as the race
begins. At the end of the race, the camera returns to slow motion, as a replay of the
race is interspersed with shots of Abrahams being congratulated, and there are close-
ups of the key runners’ straining faces. The band plays ‘God Save the Queen’ as the

British flag is raised. Within this sequence sound is used as a way of developing the
emotional, sensory and dramatic elements of the story, creating tension, emphasising
the importance of the moment and further developing the narrative.

Mise en Scène

Mise en scène is a term used to describe all the visual elements in the frame of a shot:
the set design, the costumes, the placing and movement of objects and characters.
The frame encloses certain objects and characters and leaves others out, lending