Awe Inspiring - Genre Changing Masterpiece*

Rating: Null/10 (21 August 1998)

The deep rumble of huge diesel engines heading to an obscure shore, a hopelessly choppy sea, soldiers praying, soldiers puking, soldiers scared beyond words... This is just the opening 60 seconds of the already timeless 'D-Day scene.' No words are spoken in the opening minute but the images and sounds portrayed make up for that in a heartbeat. I was already moved, but the first minute only slightly prepares the viewer for the impending landing on Omaha Beach. The scenes which follow last around 25 minutes but may haunt thousands of people's minds for years. The realism which Spielberg brings to the Normandy assault is staggering and profoundly disturbing. The ocean was red with the blood of young soldiers that morning and Spielberg will make us remember it. This opening scene alone is worthy of study and countless accolades. In fact the opening D-Day scene is the most heart wrenching and realistic combat scene ever captured on film. The Normandy scenes could be newsreels from the actual time if they were B/W. The movie is amazing through and through but I am only reviewing the first thirty minutes until I absorb the rest of this amazing work.