This movie takes concentration because it's not frivolous entertainment - and it leaves an after-taste.

Rating: Null/10 (23 January 1999)

Having read a number of other comments I find myself resonating with both positive and negative aspects. I left the movie theatre disappointed, but it stuck in my mind. This movie takes concentration because it's not frivolous entertainment - and it leaves an after-taste. It's a strange mixture of Ryan (landing craft scene, bunker attack, leadership issues), Platoon (insubordination & dehumanization) and Apocalypse now (imagery, horror of war).
Like Private Ryan, it puts us in the action and into the minds of the men in the action, and reminds us of the ugliness of war. I found it humbling because it shows the sacrifice the men who fought the battle made. I found myself wondering what would I do if I was ordered to be the first to go up the hill knowing a bullet was waiting. Wondering if I would be maimed and in tremendous pain, left to die in a strange place alone. How would I behave with split seconds to make decisions and the noise of war going on all around and body parts in flight.
How devastating that a man would cling to a memory of a loved one for his sanity only to get a 'Dear John' letter in his hour of need.
My initial reaction was negative because of the poor continuity in parts, but there's a lot to this movie if you are willing to put the effort in. I may go and see it again.