Saving Private Ryan
Internationally acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan is an unforgettable film achievement that has had profound and lasting impact throughout the world. Winner of five Academy Awards including Best Director, the film also captured Oscars for Cinematography, Film Editing, Sound and Sound Effects Editing.
Seen through the eyes of a squad of American soldiers, the story begins with World War II's historic D-Day invasion, then moves beyond the beach as the men embark on a dangerous special mission. Captain John Miller must take his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in combat. Faced with impossible odds, the men question their orders. Why are eight men risking their lives to save just one? Surrounded by the brutal realities of war, each man searches for his own answer - and the strength to triumph over an uncertain future with honor, decency and courage.
Member Reviews
saving humanity - movie_goer
Tom Hanks best performance to date.
Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan is one of the best war films ever made. Its emotional, powerful, intense, well shot, and amazingly realistic. Despite its long length and sickening violence, you will not regret your viewing experience.
Lastly, it's pacing; The film is one of the longest I've ever seen (aside Titantic) but the film was set up well. Although, the way the story is told has become a cliche. Don't let that bring you down. Stellar performances all around, a flawless script, and astonishing shooting style.Excellent!!! - sampid
I give this movie my highest recommendation. Saving Private Ryan is a movie that makes you realize how life is precious and how honor and duty, though they are deep philosophical concepts that are praised in war, can put you in jeopardy of losing your life for something you may not believe in.An Instant Classic - MovieProf
There is a fine line between wanting to present subject matter as realistically as possible and also alienating and repulsing audiences in the same breath. In the case of “Saving Private Ryan,” however, the violence is important in showing us just how horrible the Second World War was.
This is the most realistic depiction of war I’ve ever seen, but there is also a strong storyline here. We see firsthand the sacrifice men offer for one another, and the heart-wrenching sorrow parents of fallen soldiers experience. The film is not bogged down by cliché political messages, as in “We Were Soldiers,” nor is its pace inexorable, as in “The Thine Red Line.” This is a film about war, pure and simple.
The plot is based on real history: when siblings were killed in combat, it became a top priority to find remaining loved ones and ship them back home as soon as possible. In this case of the film, Private Ryan is the sole surviving brother of four just days after the D-Day invasion, and thus a small unit is sent out the scour the French countryside, find him, and get him home.
There are several notable acting performances here: Tom Hanks (in one of his best roles), Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Matt Damon (as Ryan), Jeremy Davies, and others add a sense of realism to the story that only gifted actors can.
The violence, as I mentioned earlier, is absolutely horrific. The film is bookended by two battle scenes; the one that opens the film is the D-Day landing itself. The other is a valiant fight to secure a bridge that forms the film’s conclusion. We see sights we aren’t used to: soldiers being shot when attempting to surrender (on both sides), and body parts flying every which way on regular occasions.
The film eventually lost to “Shakespeare in Love” for Best Picture in 1998, but it still retains one honour it is never likely to relinquish: the greatest war film ever.
Member Reviews
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saving humanity - movie_goer
Tom Hanks best performance to date.
Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan is one of the best war films ever made. Its emotional, powerful, intense, well shot, and amazingly realistic. Despite its long length and sickening violence, you will not regret ...Excellent!!! - sampid
I give this movie my highest recommendation. Saving Private Ryan is a movie that makes you realize how life is precious and how honor and duty, though they are deep philosophical concepts that are praised in war, can put you in jeopardy of losing your life ...An Instant Classic - MovieProf
There is a fine line between wanting to present subject matter as realistically as possible and also alienating and repulsing audiences in the same breath. In the case of “Saving Private Ryan,” however, the violence is important in showing us just how horrible ...