Film or Propaganda?

Rating: 9/10 (14 July 1999)

I have only just seen this film on video for the first time and I must say that I regret not having seen it at the cinema (but after sitting through Schindler I was loathe to get an uncomfortable bum for a little bit more Spielberg self glory and pomposity). Except for a jingoistic 'America is the greatest land in the world' kind of attitude - I thought that this film stood head and shoulders above any other film of this genre and literally shot down The Longest Day as my classic WW2 movie.
It is, as has been pointed out repeatedly in these comments, a very fine and realistic seeming drama. OK so the plot is thin and intentionally narrow minded but what Hollywood movie isn't at the moment and It was refreshing to see the characters in the film moaning about how ludicrous and shallow their mission (and therefore the plot line) was, but in Ryan, the weak plot is it's grace. The sheer waste of life and time hits you very hard and it is the documentary of war-time which comes at you like a screaming fury and provokes a huge emotional reaction which (I'll wager I'm not alone) had me discussing WWII, 20th Century politics and war in general for quite a few days.
Yes, it may have been based on a real-life story. Yes the historical representation may have been unnervingly accurate. Yes the Omah Landings did prove costly (the artillery bomardment and armour landings failed to materialise - Not surprising from the American Armed Forces.) and yes, a great number of very brave men died. What got to me though was the huge pointlessness of the fight. Who was actually saved? Ryan - certainly not emotionally. The war-torn lands of France - not in the film. The American or even, come to that, the poor German soldiers who had to obey orders which did not take into account their humanity - not if the ketchup was anything to go by. Not even Hanks, Spielberg et al were saved the misery of Shakey in Love picking up their beloved Oscars.
But the direction of the piece, the cinematography, the initial landing scene (grainy and with fantastic sound and visual effects) will stay with me for a long time to come.
Spielberg has once again shot up in my estimation and it was pleasant not to have his own insecurities and pats on the back so prevalent in one of his films. I even hear that the next "Jews during the war" movie (The Betty someone Story) may not even be directed by him but may go to the Bard Branagh instead. But here he has at last come of age in the realms of adult drama and serious film-making.