Over-rated

Rating: Null/10 (26 April 1999)

Firstly, the lionisation of Spielberg must stop. He hasn't made a "Classic" film since Jaws. And SPR although interesting, is by no means in that category. My main problem with it comes from Spielberg himself. As a previous user commented, he contradicts himself with his attempt to unglorify war, and yet plaster patriotic and nationalistic symbols all over the screen. The 'war is pointless' theme is a meritable one, but in painting the US soldiers to be victims, there is no thought to the feelings of the ordinary German soldiers, who were surely experiencing the same fears. They are portrayed as ruthless, cold-blooded and evil.
Also, Spielberg would have us believe that US won the war on their own. Despite traipsing across French countryside for miles, not one British, Canadian, Australian, French (etc) soldier is seen. The bridge they defended at the end was actually in reality, held by a joint Anglo-American force. Spielberg's reputation is such that historical inaccuracies like these are damaging. As for the opening scene, yes it is involving, spectacular, scary and all the rest. But the camera techniques have been used before by Kubrick and Peckinpah etc. He is not a genius.