Review of Saving Private Ryan

Saving Private Ryan

Saving Private Ryan is a story of the terror of war and human sacrifice. Directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by Sam Weisman, Robert Evans, Kenneth Branagh, and Judy Davis, starring Tom Hanks(John Miller), Matt Damon(James Ryan), and Tom Sizemore, the motion picture bursted onto the big screen on July 24, 1998 and went on to win five academy awards. I saw the movie when it came out on video with my family which included war veterans. Saving Private Ryan is a very emotionally involved and impactful film.

After leading a company of Rangers in the battle for Omaha beach on D-Day, Captain John Miller (Hanks) is sent on a mission to find paratrooper Private James Ryan (Damon) and bring him home safely. Ryan's three brothers have all been killed in action and the Military officials want him returned to his family. He is fighting with his unit somewhere inland, but no-one knows where. Miller chooses seven men for this dangerous mission. The squad picks its way across the devastated countryside - losing two members in battles with the Germans. Eventually, they find Ryan dug in with his unit and awaiting a German counter attack. He refuses to leave his comrades and Miller agrees that his squad will stay to help them defend their position. The Germans attack in overwhelming numbers and Miller and most of his squad are killed, but Ryan survives and makes it home.

Saving Private Ryan is based on a true story but many names and circumstances were "enhanced" to make an excellent movie. The plot was actually inspired by the true story of Fritz Niland, one of four brothers from New York who saw action during the war. Two Niland brothers were killed on D-Day, while another was missing in action in Burma and was presumed dead, although he actually survived. The time period and the war were displayed very accurately. The movie begins with a very graphic, very intense scene of the June 6, 1944 D-day invasion of Normandy. The movie vividly demonstrates the chaos and panic of an actual battle. All the props, down to every last gun and canteen, are authentic to that time period and much attention to detail is displayed throughout the movie. The names were changed only so that the truth of the story can be elaborated to enhance the movie watching experience. When watching, you gain an overwhelming understanding that this is a very "real" movie.

The movie was set in 1944 during World War II. It begins in Normandy and then proceeds through random small villages and French countryside.