Very Best of Spielberg

Rating: 8/10 (3 July 2007)

This movie is renowned for its realistic portrayal of the D-Day assault on German occupied France. This film is unlike any other war movie you will ever see.
Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) survives the landings on Omaha beach but then has an even greater challenge thrust upon him. Three of the four Ryan brothers are killed within days of each other and the U.S. army chief of staff, General George C. Marshall decides that every effort must be made to return the fourth brother (Matt Damon) home to the broken hearted mother. Unfortunately he was parachuted behind enemy lines and no one knows where he is. Captain Miller is ordered to lead a team to rescue him. He faces all the challenges of a 'behind enemy lines' mission along with the inevitable question of why his men must risk all their lives for just one private. Sit back, turn off the mobile and allow yourself to be taken on a stunning visual spectacle. You are thrust face first into the horrifying drama of the D-Day landings and witness dramatic close quarter conflict. But this is more than a war story. The human characteristics of leadership, bravery, fear, grief, decency and much more are all skillfully examined. The set is completely convincing even thought many of the scenes were shot outside France.
The film won five Oscars including the Directing and Cinematography categories but very unjustly lost to 'Shakespeare in Love' for best picture.
This movie is a true masterpiece of terror, chaos, blood, and courage.
It's safe to say Saving Private Ryan popularized a lot of the "war techniques" you've seen lately, and that the consequences of Saving Private Ryan's brutal portrayal of war will be felt for a long time coming.
Saving Private Ryan may not be as beautiful, lyrical, or complex as (for example) Malick's Thin Red Line, but it will certainly influence a lot of films that will come after it (more so than Malick's masterpiece) for the better. 9/10