This is a screencap from Troy. This is a set-up shot of Achilles (Brad Pitt) facing Hector (Eric Bana). I like this shot because its not over-done. Its not an XCU or anything like that. Its a simple CU with Achilles a little bit to the right of center so we focus on him. The camera doesn't move and he doesn't move either- all intensity.
This shot is some more set-up to the fight. There's alot of setup here, almost as long as the fight itself. I think this was done to obviously increase the tension and to express the magnitude of the showdown. There's a super long depth of field behind Achilles to amplify the fact that he's all alone out there. There's no army behind him or anything; just him and his sword. In the reverse-shot, there is a shorter depth of field behind Hector and we see the wall of Troy, his family, his friends all behind him. He's not alone, he has things to live for. This foreshadows the fact that he's going to die.
This shot shows the people watching the fight but i think it is a visual cue to the actual audience of the film. Everyone is craning to see the fight, building anticipation, and i think that translates to the viewer. Bright, even lighting translates the feeling of it being a hot day well.
This shot is the reverse-shot from the Achilles one. What's interesting is that Achilles is the villain (somewhat) and Hector is the hero (somewhat). The director places Hector on the left of the frame and achilles on the right. I think that perhaps he's playing with the old hollywood convention that the villain goes on the left to unconsciously make us consider who exactly is the hero or the villain.
Achilles about to deliver the death blow to Hector (uh-oh, spoiler). He's got bright light on his face, his eyes are easily visible and he's up high-triumphant. He's still slightly to the right of frame so we focus on him. He's looking off to the left with look-room over his shoulder. in the reverse-shot, Hector is to the left, so there's continuity. Mostly this shot shows Achilles' dominance as he looks down and only the sky is behind him.
This is Helen (the reason for the war) on the left, trying to comfort Hector's wife after Hector is killed. Helen's on the left as if she's the villain. Her eyes are somewhat hidden by make-up and some shadow, so we can't quite connect with her. Andromache, on the other hand, is almost looking into the camera and there is good light on her eyes. We see all the pain in her eyes and we connect with her sorrow.
