Spielberg's Largest Amphibious Landing- His Greatest Film

Rating: 10/10 (18 March 2006)

When you think of bloody, horrible wars you think of Vietnam, maybe Korea. When you think of World War II, you picture Bob Hope entertaining the troops, or people back in the states dancing to Glenn Miller. Saving Private Ryan shows what World War II, the most defining war in human history, was really like. The D-Day invasion of World War II, was to decide the future of the world; fascist, or democratic. Would the world be free, or enslaved by Nazis? D DAY, NORMANDY France 1944- an American squadron is looking for a missing comrade. The movie opens with a 20- minute war sequence with Captain John Miller's unit landing on Omaha Beach, and trying to push the Germans further east to liberate Western Europe. Even though the allies win this battle, body parts and blood is everywhere. This film is full of graphic violence and gore.
Then the film shifts back to a government clerical office where secretaries are typing condolence letters to the mothers who lost sons in battle. It is noticed that Mrs. Ryan of Iowa has lost three of four sons in the D Day invasion. Brought to the attention of army brass, they decide that the US army must rescue James Francis Ryan, Mrs. Ryan's only remaining son.
Finding Private Ryan is like looking for a needle in a haystack for Captain Miller's squadron. At times morale is very low. You see the difference in personalities of Privates Jackson and Reiben. Jackson is a fighter, a war- monger, who doesn't care why he's there. He just wants to please his commander, and kill the Germans. Reiben on the other hand is wary, cautious, and even somewhat belligerent. About two-thirds of the way though the story, Reiben is at odds with Miller on the release of a German POW, and even threatens to go AWOL, but he along with Jackson fights with honor and bravery in the final battle.
After days of searching for Private Ryan, Captain Miller's unit finally finds him guarding a strategically important bridge with a lost squadron. Private Ryan does not want to leave his troupe, considering them the only brothers he has left. This leads to a suspenseful climax.
When a large German battalion spots the two American units guarding the bridge, fighting breaks out. Who will survive this horrible war? The Americans appear outnumbered. Will they be able to save Private Ryan from dying like his three brothers? Will Mrs. Ryan lose her last son in this war? Saving Private Ryan, another spectacular film by Steven Spielberg, is one of the greatest war movies ever made. It was nominated for Best Picture. Best Director Oscar went to Steven Spielberg. Art Direction and Cinematography in the film is top notch, as are the beautifully choreographed fight scenes, which are dramatic, suspenseful, and ultra-realistic.