Creating unique and imaginative battle scenes are sometimes difficult given the different factors that have to be worked with, around, and through. In the latest episode of Game of Thrones the last battle scene of the episode is absolutely epic, but it also comprises a lot of working elements that had to be carefully planned and choreographed in a way that would make the battle seem absolutely seamless and fluid so that the viewer could see the events happening in what seemed like real time. The effort put into this was immense, but the inspiration was quite telling if you really look at the filming that was done and how each piece was broken down before it was fit into the final sequence.
The episode pulled from scenes in movies such as Gladiator, 300, Stagecoach, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and many more.
Think about it this way, the beginning of the battle begins with the thundering of the Dothraki horsemen as they make their way over the hill towards the Lannister army. They are shown as a dark, maniacal tide of howling, bloodthirsty warriors that are completely bent on the destruction of Jamie’s forces. From that point on the destruction brought on by Drogon as he sweeps over the battlefield is reminiscent of Apocalypse Now when the level of destruction is unleashed.
The chaos of the battlefield is even akin to that of Gladiator when the Romans are raining down fire and arrows on the enemy. Throughout the remainder of the episode the influence of other films can be seen all the way to when Bron faces down Drogon and eventually hits him with the giant arrow from the Scorpion. Much like The Hobbit the dragon is struck and grounded, though obviously the result is less final than in The Hobbit, as Bron must think quickly before he and Jamie are roasted where they sit. Cinematography is, as the maker of the clip below suggests, a type of language. It is hardly ever a new thing, but it can be spoken in many different ways.
The battle itself pits three unlike opponents that in a sane world would have never met.
First, let’s throw that sanity part out. Sane living has never been a part of Westeros and let’s not pretend otherwise. Second, it is true that the Dothraki have had to live with the dragons among them up to this point, but never have they had to charge hard into battle with a dragon as their ally. Plus, for all that any Westerosi in their right mind knew dragons were extinct. That is the main reason why Jamie, Bron, and everyone else are simply astounded when Drogon makes his way over the rise.
Also, no Westerosi army has had to fight a Dothraki army in the recent past, and as a result they have no idea what is coming. Those two elements alone are what make this fight so devastating, and so epic. There are two opposing forces that have no idea what to expect from one another other than total ruination, and in the end it comes down to who has the greatest desire to survive.
In fact, it’s safe to say that Bron is the only one with the most level manner of thinking in the entire battle. He did go after the only weapon that would make any difference after all. That’s a bit of cinematography that’s sorely lacking in many other epic battles.
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