Bergman Triumphs

By Lauren Korzeniewski

[1] This scene is interesting because it is a scene similar to the one already analyzed by Lindsay Totams. While Lowell Bergman is the underdog in the “Kluster Pulls Rank” scene, by “A Legacy Betrayed” the situation for the characters has changed. There are several similar aspects of both scenes, such as the setting and the characters, but the overall tone of the meeting that is taking placed has changed -- to a point that Bergman, who in the first scene was portrayed as the wronged hero, here we see him finally in a position where he can assert himself and win. Here the person painted as the hero comes out on top.

[2] In this scene, the characters are once again blocked to set up the conflict that is taking place. Mike Wallace and Don Hewitt are next to each other, representing the corporate interest of CBS, juxtaposed with Bergman, who is representing the right to information and the public’s interest. This is the same blocking as the initial meeting scene. Mann creates the feeling that Bergman is alone in his interests by placing the characters spatially in this way.

[3] In the first scene Wallace and Hewitt are sitting down and Bergman is standing, taking charge of the argument, while here only Wallace is sitting. Hewitt is also standing with Bergman, setting up the conflict that is unfolding on the screen. Here, Mann puts Hewitt and Bergman on a more level playing field, setting up the victory in the argument for Bergman, while showing Wallace as more of a coward, someone who is not going to literally and figuratively stand up for what is right.

[4] As in “Kluster Pulls Rank,” Mann also comments on the intricacies of the characters by the way they are styled. While Hewitt and Wallace are well groomed, with immaculate hair and tailored business suits, Bergman is disheveled, wearing more casual street clothes and looking like he has been hard-worked in the field. Their appearances point to the idea that Wallace and Hewitt are business men, not in touch with the personal experiences of their audience, while Bergman is the everyman, someone campaigning for the rights and best interests of the general population. Also, Hewitt has his suit jacket off, giving him the appearance of comfort in the corporate world of CBS, whereas Bergman is still in his coat, too impassioned about his cause and uncomfortable in the corporate world.

[5] In this scene, the camera angles also send a message from Mann. Most of the shots of the men are head on, emphasizing the head-on battle that they are having, arguing about the interview in the New York Times and whether or not Wigand’s interview should be aired. Also, the shots are from eye level, showing how Bergman has been raised up past the executives by his validation from the Times. The camera only looks down on Wallace, showing him at a lower position than the rest of the characters. Here, Mann is literally looking down on someone who would not stand up for something one way or the other, and who flip flops with whomever can do more for him at the time. Now that is Bergman and Wigand, even after his initial betrayal of them in the “Kluster” scene. Although Hewitt is clearly supposed to be viewed as the bad guy, he has more respect from the camera for his efforts to do what he thinks is right than Wallace does, as he is at least shot with respect from Mann.

[6] It is important to note that in this scene, we finally see Wallace stand behind Bergman, somewhat validating him. He acts as a mediator between Bergman and Hewitt, laying out for them a plan for what to do to air Wigand’s interview. However, he does not speak until the very end of the scene but, instead, lets someone else do the fighting for him, just as he did in the previously mentioned scene. This is a clear indication of how Mann views Wallace and wants the audience to view him, along with his camera angles, and that is in a cowardly, selfish light.

[7] It is clear in this scene that Mann has chosen to vilify Wallace, make Hewitt look wrong, and paint Bergman as the hero, just as he does in the “Kluster Pulls Rank” scene. These scenes are very interesting comparisons, as we can see different techniques the director uses to tell different stories, even in similar situations within the film. In each scene, Mann uses different techniques to instill Bergman as the hero of The Insider, making for analysis interesting and important.