Film Analysis · English

Bohemian Rhapsody

(2018)

Identity, fame and the power of music — an analysis of the Queen biopic

Presented by: Fynn Golombek & Rudi Wenda Subject: English Date: 16 June 2026
Overview

Table of Contents

02
Film FactsDirector · Cast · Genre
03
Introduction & ThemesCore motifs of the film
04
Historical BackgroundQueen · Live Aid · Context
05
PlotRise · Crisis · Comeback
06
Scene 1 — Band Formation~00:18:30–00:23:00
07
Scene 2 — Studio Recording~00:59:00–01:04:30
08
Scene 3 — Isolation~01:25:00–01:29:00
09
Scene 4 — Live Aid~01:58:00–02:08:00
10
Analysis: CameraCinematography & visual language
11
Analysis: Music & ActingSoundtrack · Symbolism
12
Personal Opinion & ConclusionStrengths · Weaknesses · Rating
13
SourcesReferences
Slide 02

Film Facts

  • Director: Bryan Singer (completed by Dexter Fletcher)
  • Screenplay: Anthony McCarten
  • Genre: Biopic · Music Film · Drama
  • Year: 2018 · Runtime: ~134 min
  • Box office: $900M+ worldwide
Oscar: Best Actor Oscar: Best Editing Golden Globe: Best Drama
Main Cast
Lead
Rami Malek
as Freddie Mercury
Guitar
Gwilym Lee
as Brian May
Drums
Ben Hardy
as Roger Taylor
Bass
Joe Mazzello
as John Deacon
Slide 03

Introduction & Key Themes

  • Rise of Queen — focused on Freddie Mercury
  • Biopic with artistic liberties — some timelines altered
  • Combination of concert spectacle and character study

"We will rock you — but first we'll show you who we are."

— Core motif of the film
Central Themes
🎭

Identity

Freddie's search for himself — as artist and person

⭐

Fame & Isolation

The price of global stardom

🎵

Music as Freedom

Breaking social norms through art

🤝

Community

The band as family — conflict, separation, reunion

Slide 04

Historical Background

1970
Queen founded in London — Freddie, Brian, Roger & John come together
1975
"Bohemian Rhapsody" released — breaks all musical conventions
1985
Live Aid at Wembley — Queen regarded as the greatest live act ever
1991
Freddie Mercury dies of AIDS — the world mourns
2018
Film released — $900M+ worldwide box office
1946Born: Freddie Mercury
72,000Live Aid Wembley audience
1.5 BnTV viewers worldwide
Slide 05

Plot

  • Freddie joins Queen after the old singer quits
  • Band rises to worldwide fame
  • "Bohemian Rhapsody" breaks all conventions — becomes a global hit
  • Conflicts with the band & manager Paul Prenter
  • Freddie temporarily leaves for a solo project
  • Reconciliation — triumphant comeback at Live Aid 1985

Classic hero's journey: Rise → Fall → Rebirth

  • Live Aid as the narrative frame (opening & closing)
  • Freddie at the centre — band as counterweight
  • Personal crises amplify the musical triumph
Slide 06 · Scene 1

Scene 1 — Band Formation

⏱ Timestamp: ~00:18:30 – 00:23:00  |  ~4–5 min
Queen is Born
Freddie meets Brian & Roger after their singer quits. Spontaneous performance of "Doing All Right". The band immediately recognises his extraordinary talent.

Start playback at 00:18:30 — pause at 00:23:00

Why This Scene?
  • Shows the birth of the band
  • Strong music + character introduction
  • Freddie's natural charisma instantly visible
  • Sets the tone for the whole film
What to look out for
Freddie's body language on stage vs. off stage — confidence vs. insecurity
Slide 07 · Scene 2

Scene 2 — Studio Recording

⏱ Timestamp: ~00:59:00 – 01:04:30  |  ~5–6 min
"Bohemian Rhapsody" in the Studio
The band debates the unconventional song structure. Freddie stands his ground. The creative recording process becomes tangible.

Start playback at 00:59:00 — pause at 01:04:30

Why This Scene?
  • Shows creative tension within the band
  • Music production made visible
  • Freddie's artistic self-confidence
  • Key to understanding the song's meaning
What to look out for
How Freddie reacts when others doubt him — determination vs. vulnerability
Slide 08 · Scene 3

Scene 3 — Conflict & Isolation

⏱ Timestamp: ~01:25:00 – 01:29:00  |  ~3–4 min
Freddie's Lowest Point
Freddie distances himself emotionally from the band and Mary. Manager Paul Prenter strengthens his isolation. The key scene for character development.

Start playback at 01:25:00 — pause at 01:29:00

Why This Scene?
  • Emotional low point of the film
  • Shows the destructive influence of bad advisors
  • Makes the later reunion more powerful
  • Freddie's vulnerability behind the star persona
What to look out for
The contrast between the lavish lifestyle and Freddie's obvious loneliness
Slide 09 · Scene 4 ⭐ Highlight

Scene 4 — Live Aid Performance

⏱ Timestamp: ~01:58:00 – 02:08:00  |  select 5–7 min
The Greatest Live Show on Earth
Recommended section: "Radio Ga Ga" → "Hammer to Fall" → "Bohemian Rhapsody" transition. Camera, music and emotion at absolute peak.

Start at 01:58:00 — recommended stop around 02:05:00

Why This Scene?
  • Emotional climax of the entire film
  • Camera, music and performance unite
  • Feels like being in the stadium
  • 72,000 fans + 1.5 billion TV viewers
  • Reunion of band after conflict
What to look out for
Camera cuts between stage and audience — how the connection is created visually
Slide 10 · Film Analysis

Analysis: Camera Work

🎬 Techniques

  • Close-ups on Freddie —> shows emotion directly
  • Wide shots at Live Aid —> conveys stadium scale and power
  • Fast cuts in studio scenes —> underlines creative energy
  • Camera moves with the music —> creates physical response in the viewer

Live Aid: camera switches between audience and stage — building emotional connection between Freddie and 72,000 fans.

— Key example for analysis
Contrast of Styles

Intimate ↔ Epic

Tight close-ups in private moments vs. sweeping wide angles on stage

Static ↔ Dynamic

Still camera in conflict scenes — rapid movement during performances

Perspective Shifts

Cuts between stage, audience & backstage create a complete concert experience

Slide 11 · Film Analysis

Analysis: Music, Acting & Symbolism

Music as Narrator
  • Only original Queen songs — no substitutes
  • Music replaces dialogue — tells the story directly
  • "Bohemian Rhapsody" = creative rebellion
  • Live Aid = emotional peak of the film

The audience feels like they are at the concert — music replaces words.

Rami Malek & Symbolism
  • Intense body language — authentic stage energy
  • Special dental prosthetic changes his face
  • Won Oscar for Best Actor 2019
🎤

Microphone

Symbol of power and voice

🎭

Stage

Space of freedom — free from norms

💔

Illness

Fragility behind the fame

Slide 12

Personal Opinion & Conclusion

✅

Strengths

Powerful music & emotions. Live Aid sequence is a highlight. Rami Malek delivers a stunning performance.

⚠️

Weaknesses

Partly historically inaccurate — timelines altered. Some characters feel one-dimensional.

💡

Overall

A great insight into Queen's career. Highly entertaining despite inaccuracies. Strongly recommended.

"Bohemian Rhapsody is not a perfect biopic — but it is a perfect love letter to Queen and Freddie Mercury."

— Personal assessment
4/5Overall rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐Recommended
OscarRami Malek · Best Actor
Slide 13

Sources

Film

Singer, B. / Fletcher, D. (2018): Bohemian Rhapsody. Twentieth Century Fox. USA/UK.

Screenplay

McCarten, A. (2018): Bohemian Rhapsody — Screenplay. New Regency Productions.

Book

Jones, L. (1997): Freddie Mercury: The Definitive Biography. Hodder & Stoughton, London.

Online

IMDb (2024): Bohemian Rhapsody — Awards, Reviews & Trivia. www.imdb.com

Review

Rolling Stone (2018): "Bohemian Rhapsody Review." Rolling Stone Online.

Music

Queen (1975–1985): Original recordings — Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Ga Ga, Hammer to Fall etc. EMI Records.

FYNN GOLOMBEK & RUDI WENDA · ENGLISH · 16 JUNE 2026