Saving Private Ryan

UK Release: 11th September 1998

Watched on Recorded TV: Wednesday 9th/Friday 11th/Saturday 12th November 2011

Rating: 15

Genre: Action, Drama, History

Runtime: 2hrs 49mins

Tagline: The mission is a man

IMDb Plot Synopsis: Opening with the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944, members of the 2nd Ranger Battalion under Cpt. Miller fight ashore to secure a beachhead. Amidst the fighting, two brothers are killed in action. Earlier in New Guinea, a third brother is KIA. Their mother, Mrs. Ryan, is to receive all three of the grave telegrams on the same day. The United States Army Chief of Staff, George C. Marshall, is given an opportunity to alleviate some of her grief when he learns of a fourth brother, Private James Ryan, and decides to send out 8 men (Cpt. Miller and select members from 2nd Rangers) to find him and bring him back home to his mother.

My Review: Saving Private Ryan is the definition of an epic film. When you look up the word ‘epic’ in the dictionary this film and Spielberg’s grin is what comes up. Not only is this long film but it take you on a complete emotional journey from thrilled and full of adrenaline to despair and desolation. The crux of the film is the incredible special effects and cinematography which makes this film a marvel to watch. Showing war on screen is one of the hardest things to do realistically and boy, do they pull it off. But the emotional spine of the film rests, for the most part, with Tom Hanks. He is the moral compass that the rest of the groups of soldier’s pivot upon. We get to know them and they each have a personal journey they go through, right up until the end. There are even a few twists, some ironic, some captivating. Every one of the soldiers give excellent moving performances, without which, this film would fall to pieces. Luckily for us we have the legend himself - Steven Spielberg - behind the reins and many a skilled actor to make it work. 

I actually saw this film a few years ago and was apprehensive at first as being a teenage girl I didn’t think a war film would be my cup of tea. How wrong I was! And while I thin kI enjoyed it more on the first watch, some of the twists I had forgotten about so it was still surprising enough to make it a tremendous experience and an appropriate one for today too...

Score: 8.5/10