The Romantic/Epic genre is one that is close to all of our hearts, drawing on child hood fantasies and inspiring us to dream big things. The two particular scenes that I will be comparing are the popular ice burg scene from the ‘Titanic,’ and the scene in the movie ‘Australia’, where they have to hide Nullah from the white authorities. Both these scenes, are strong in terms of the director’s choices for mis en scene, cinematography and sound and editing. My focus is on looking at the elements of lighting, acting and props which are create suspense and intrigue.

The Romantic/Epic is very unique because it has many great reasons that keeps the audience is captured. For example, the romance factor, this pays a big part in keeping the audience interested. The adventure also film keeps us fascinated and waiting in anticipation for the big event.

Through the successful use of Mise En scene both the ‘Titanic’ and ‘Australia’, create a feeling of suspense, intrigue and keep the audience on the edge of their seat. The two chosen scenes are similar, because they both involve a race against time. In ‘Australia’ they are rushing to hide Nullah from the white authorities, before they arrive at the house in search for him. In the titanic, they are rushing to turn the boat before it encounters the ice berg ahead. All whilst this is happening, there is romance being developed.

Loud noises are shown in both these scenes from each of these movies, and they type of music heard which creates panic and anticipation in the audience. The setting of the scene creates confusion and more anticipation as there is the possibility of so many things that can happen. For example, in the movie the titanic, in the ice berg scene which is set on the boat, there is no escaping at this time, and the people on the boat have to wait scared as the boat slowly approaches the ice berg. In the movie Australia, when they see the authorities car impending from the distance, there is only a short amount of time they have to hide Nullah.

In both films, the lighting is another give away that there is danger, for example in the titanic, it is night time, and the people aboard the boat are unaware of how close they are to hitting the ice berg, or if they are even going to hit it. This is similar to in the scene from the movie Australia, where Nullah and his mother, have decided to hide in the water tank, in the dark, unable to see what is going on and where the authorities are. Both of these scenes show great danger, and leave the audience in suspense, whilst there is also the treat of drowning, in the Titanic, if the boat happens to sink, and in the movie Australia, if Nullah and his mother were to drown in the water tank.

Both of these scenes are topped off with something bad happening, for example, in the Titanic, the boat does hit the ice berg, and water leaks in. And in Australia, whilst Nullah hasn’t been found by the authorities, when the others come to help them get out, they find that Nullah’s mother who has been hiding with him has drown.

In conclusion, the movie Australia, and the Titanic, shows a great amount of cinematography and mis en scene, to develop the film, and produce the effectiveness that has been shown. The props, lighting, sound, and camera position, are the key features to the success of these movies.