Saving Private Ryan

Rating: 9/10 (16 September 2015)

Summary: 4,413 men recorded dead in what is known as the turning point of World War 2, the day of days, D-day.... Until Saving Private Ryan there has not been a film that has come close to showing an entire audience through a cinema screen just how tragic, terrifying and real this war was. Saving Private Ryan is story about a group of eight men led by Captain Miller (Tom hanks) who have been assigned to bring one man home to his mother. A mother who has lost three of her sons due to this war, and to lose a forth is inconceivable. A story of courage, bravery, friendship, brother hood and belief there is hope for humanity where all hope is lost.
Until Saving Private Ryan there have been countless film adaptions of World war 2, but few have attempted to bring the harsh reality of war home to the viewing audience, and make you feel as if you are there. Well, Spielberg has certainly achieved this. For the first 27 minutes of the film, we witness one of cinemas most historical openings to a film, but also one of histories most tragic and important moments - D-day. You find yourself stunned into silence once the landing crafts door spins open, as instantly you see young men mowed down by German mounted machine guns, the sound of land mines, mortar fire and screaming all adds to this horrific moment. Ignorantly you find yourself questioning, and wondering why people are drowning? not running? and not firing back? But then you remember you are sat in a cinema or at home and will never experience the shear fear and loss of humanity in moments like that.
Like all directors, Spielberg is certainly not perfect, and there are moments throughout this film that 'lack' information, and are in some respect "Hollywood" such as we only witness the Americans running up Omaha beach (but never hear about Juno, Sword, Gold, Utah), and granted the majority of the soldiers storming Omaha were Americans, but where are the rest of the Allies who assisted in the Omaha landing (after all U.S.A won the war didn't they?). Regardless of some minor factual eras, this opening is none the less a cinematic master piece (which won him the Oscar for Best Director). Steven Spielberg not only aimed to show the needless, countless and horrific violence of this war, he also has tried to show us as an audience that in these dark times, humanity will find a way, and that is the basis of our story (although a fictional story, it is a heart felt and beautiful story, that will leave you on the edge of your seat throughout).
Saving Private Ryan is a film that has been noted, and criticised as being needlessly violent, bloody and chaotic. You cannot argue that violence, blood and chaos are entirely apparent from the get go, but you certainly cannot say it is needless. Spielberg has masterfully encapsulated a time in history where everything that was 'right', was most definitely not.
Cpt Miller, played by Tom Hanks, who in an Oscar nominated performance (which lets face it, you wouldn't expect any less) will embark on the mission of finding Private James Ryan (Iowa) the fourth brother, to bring him home to his grieving mother. Tom hanks is accompanied by an all star cast of seven men: Sargent Horvath (Tom Sizemore), Private Reiben (Edward Burns), Private Jackson (Barry Pepper), Private Mellish (Adam Goldberg), Private Caparzo (Vin Diesel), T-4 Medic Wade (Giovanni Ribisi), Corporal Upham (Jeremy Davies). If this cast alone isn't an incentive to see the film, the story of their journey for humanity, justice and to risk eight lives to save one will have you by the throat throughout. As far as war films go, I can honestly say there has never been one so close to the bone that you are left speechless, and feel as if you are a witness to something you have only ever read or heard about. Each characters struggle for survival and to simply make it back home will remind you how lucky you are, but find also make you feel like you are part of this mission. One of the most powerful moments in this film, comes early on when the head of the US Army hears about the mothers loss, and decides it is right to bring the fourth brother home. Spielberg has included a letter Abraham Lincoln once wrote to a "Mrs Bixby, in Boston" during America's most tragic of wars, the Civil War. Although a letter written years before World War 2, it is written by one of Americas most iconic and notable presidents who's vocabulary and inspirational writing is still ever apparent today. The letter gives us a sense that somewhere in the mist of all war and unspeakable violence it is the families of these young men and women who are giving their lives that really matters.
"Executive Mansion, Washington, Nov. 21, 1864. Dear Madam,-- I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln"