Saving Private Ryan (DVD 2000)

As U.S. troops storm the beaches of Normandy, three brothers lie dead on the battlefield, with a fourth trapped behind enemy lines. Ranger captain Tom Hanks and seven men are tasked with penetrating German-held territory and bringing the boy home. Steven Spielberg and cinematographer Janusz Kaminski paint a harrowing picture of the price of war and heroism -- one that netted them Oscars for Best Director and Best Cinematography, respectively

I have always loved war films and only ever critised them for not having a good story line, but this film has some of the best scenes, like the one at the end when they are defending the bridge, or the D-Day landings, very gory and very realistic. This is another piece of fine work from director Steven Spielberg. The film follows the exploits of a small platoon of men fighing thier way through from the D-Dya landings and occupied france to find a soldier parachuted behind enemy lines who has lost 4 of his brothers, the passion and emotion brought out in this film made even me even feel like crying each time on of the squad got killed, and yet show a spark of hope when they step onto the battlefield each time. Tom Hanks shows in this movie why he is possibly one of the best actors of all time.

Following the disappointments of THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK (1997) and AIMSTAD (1997), many people begun to wonder if Steven Spielberg had started to lose his touch, especially after winning a Best Director Oscar for the powerful SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993). However, he proves them that he hasn't lost his touch when SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998) came out in Summer 1998.
One of the main things that SAVING PRIVATE RYAN will be remembered for is the horrifiying 25-minute opening scene of the D-Day Landings. It feels more like a documentary filmed on the battleground rather than being a movie.

Featuring superb cinematography and fine performances (notably from Tom Hanks), SAVING PRIVATE RYAN is another powerful and moving World War II movie from Spielberg.