A new angle on War

Rating: 8/10 (11 December 1998)

I am from Israel, used to hear about dead soldiers on the news. When such horrible events happen, the radio starts broadcasting quiet, beautiful songs and a feeling of deep sadness spread. I see in my mind fresh graves, the teary faces of girlfriends, mothers, fathers and fellow soldiers.
But after watching Saving Private Ryan, I see other things. Torn flesh. Pools of blood. Shattered bones. Impossibly loud explosions, raising dust and ashes. The cry of the wounded mixed with the confused shouts of officers. I see bullets piercing chests and heads. It is all live, horrible and shocking.
Saving Private Ryan brings a new angle on War. The personal angle, that of a single human being facing the horror of death around him, of blind chance deciding whether he'll get wounded or killed or just scratched. Spielberg managed to do what no director have done before - bring you inside a battlezone and let you feel the chaos from within. You suddenly find yourself crouched in your chair, not knowing when the next blow will come from. Shaking with every bone of your body when a tank approaches. Ducking when bullets come near.
The film could have been a masterpiece, if the plot was more sharp, if the characters were less flat and if the 'dirty dozen' ending was avoided. But still, it's a must to see.