Breathtaking, in any sense of the word.

Rating: 10/10 (22 April 2001)

After reading most of the comments listed I felt compelled to add my own. Reason for this is that I feel that this movie is being misunderstood by a lot of people. The basis for this misunderstanding is IMHO that most people regard this movie primarily as a war-movie. This is understandable since the movie is situated in WW II and features a lot of fightingaction scenes. However, as the tagline for this movie also reveals, it's more about the battle that each man (read individual) is fightig for himself. What struck me most while watching this movie were the shifts of perspective that Malick (the director) offered his audience. Demonstrated most clearly by a scene in which a soldier after being hit by a bullit falls backwards on the ground and in his last moments looks at the beautiful environment of the island. In other words: the horrors of the dreadful war which were up till then all he experienced, disappeared after he was no longer part of the army (and the western civilization) and at that moment he could experience his true place, in nature, on earth. This is only a small example of all the beautiful, eye-opening scenes that this movie offers it's viewers. Apart from the above there is also the awesomely beautiful cinematography, like I said in the title of this comment, it is breathtaking. All in all I am not afraid to state that this is one of the best movies I have ever seen (it resides in my all-time top three). Last recommendation: If you are looking primarily for the action and suspense of a war-movie let this movie pass. If you are looking for a movie about war and life watch this movie, you won't regret it.