Rent Saving Private Ryan (1998)

One of the most influential films of my earlier life given a stunning refresh on 4K Blu-Ray - Saving Private Ryan review by Timmy B

When Saving Private Ryan first came out, it not only kick started my love of WWII history, but also showed a side of war which had not been put on film in a way like it before. Far from battles which mainly occurred off-screen with no focus on slaughter, in the first 2 minutes of the beach scene opening, most of the nameless men you see on screen have been slaughtered. And this is what Spielberg gets across in those 20 minutes more than anything: these individuals, some of the bravest men who have ever lived, don’t even get a chance to fight. The waste and wounding which is burned into your brain and onto your eyes never leaves you.

Using hand held cameras to make this up close and personal, you are in the thick of action. Whether on the battlefield or simply watching the chosen men for this mission interact, you are alongside them, sharing the horror, humour and grief they all have to deal with.

Although Tom Hanks is the A lister at the centre of the movie, the character who made the most impression on me was Edward Burns: Reiban was someone who, although a big presence in the group and quick to anger, also was the one who had the most difficulty trying to understand the situation he was in, as well as trying to survive. And the brief moment between him and Ryan before a battle, (a look which says a thousand words, with no dialogue) shows that even when there are no guns firing, the drama can be just as hard hitting.

But the 4K remaster made me see the film in a completely different way. Everything was more visceral and the washed-out look of the film makes the contrast even more stark. This was a perfect 4K remaster of a classic. 

Legendary War film, sags in the middle somewhat. - Saving Private Ryan review by IanF

Great start and closing battle scenes, but the 'human drama' does not ring true that fills up the middle. Guess I've been spoilt by 'Band of Brothers', which Speilburg made following the success of this film. He cut out all the false histrionics you would not get in a platoon of elite soldiers - even in the US army - which does not ring true at all.

Gritty drama - Saving Private Ryan review by PO

Not for the sensitive.... very 'raw and real'. Hanks is brilliant - different type of role for him and he does it very well, supported by a really good cast and horrible effects. Deserved all its oscars but not because it's a particularly enjoyable film...!

An Important Film - Saving Private Ryan review by GI

There's been so much said and written about this film it's difficult to offer anything new to it. From the visceral and emotionally challenging opening scenes of D-Day through to the climactic battle for the bridge this is a film that is very powerful. But it's easy to focus on the realistic battles scenes and forget that this is ultimately a piece of cinema and cleverly telling a story with a sometimes intricate plot and it's often in the quieter and more reflective scenes that the themes of the film can be properly seen. This includes the film's introduction in the cemetery where we see a distraught old man and his family, if you've seen the film you'll know who this man is but this is left unclear until the film's end and the cross over shot from the cemetery headstones to the beach obstacles is remarkable and signposts the film's move to 1944 and the D-Day beaches of Normandy. The film has many wonderful edits and the use of sound is especially impressive - the rain fall and gunfire mingling together, the constant long distance sounds of artillery fire etc. There is no doubt war films and in particular cinematic representations of combat were totally changed after this was released and they are gritty and at times shocking and even though Steven Spielberg can't help include his trademark sentimentality into the narrative it sort of fits with the film possibly because the violence creates a contrast that works. Tom Hanks plays Captain Miller. Having survived the hellfire of D-Day he is ordered to take a few of his men and try to locate Private Ryan (Matt Damon) who's three brothers have all been killed in combat and to get him to safety. They resent the mission feeling that their lives are deemed less worthy than Ryan's. Along the way their loyalties, patriotism and morality is all tested until they have to face a final battle for their lives and their own sanity. Good, solid support cast including Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore, Ted Danson and others. This is definitely a film everyone should see even if war films aren't your thing. It's an important film and certainly a highly impressive one.

This does not glorify war. - Saving Private Ryan review by RP

I saw this at the cinema when it was first released and now again on DVD I was just as shocked by the first 20 minutes. Certainly it does not glorify war. If this is what war is like, then that's one place I never want to be. After that – when the storytelling begins – it all seems a bit of an anticlimax, and the premise that a small platoon of troops is sent to wander semi-randomly around to rescue / retrieve a lone soldier seems a little far fetched. There are other flaws that bug me as well, from its over-riding American war perspective to the wooden acting abilities of Tom Hanks. I guess this sums up this film for me: multi-Oscar winning, flawed action film masquerading as a war film, some very powerful scenes, and despite my reservations Tom Hanks does act better than in many of his other films. It is most definitely American and the patriotism is a little over-done for this Brit. But it's a good film and I rate it as 4/5 stars.