Compares to "All Quiet . . . " and "Paths of Glory"

Rating: Null/10 (22 March 1999)

For me, a WWII vet (but not European Theater) this was one of the three most powerful wartime movies I have ever seen. "All Quiet on the Western Front", "Paths of Glory", and "Saving Private Ryan". But Ryan benefits from the improved technology in film making, which makes it more powerful, visually, than the other two. And the director's ability to make great films with epic sweep is another advantage of Ryan. I believe that every American from the age of 15 on should see this film, to understand what it means to go to war, or to send men and women into war. The realism of Ryan was overwhelming. My wife and I could not leave our seats after the film for almost 15 minutes. We were overwhelmed emotionally. A unique experience.