RateItAll: The Opinion Network

At the risk of sounding un-American, I wasn't all that impressed overall. I saw it with my father, a World War II veteran, and HE wasn't impressed overall. The opening combat sequence was intense, and viscerally effective, but the rest of the movie never seemed particularly realistic to me; it was much more like Spielberg's sanitized version of what World War II must have been like, or should have been like. Tom Hanks played a symbol rather than a role, as did the rest of the cast, in my opinion. A combat veteran I worked with mentioned the scene where the Jewish soldier walks through enemy territory singing Billie Holiday songs, and said contemptuously, "Yeah, that was realistic." I did think that Matt Damon, as always, gave an excellent, subtle performance. In fairness, I've never been a Spielberg fan, and the movie does have some powerful moments, but one viewing was more than enough for me, and I tend to watch movies that really resonate with me repeatedly as the years pass. If they are classics, I'll notice a different facet or quality about the film that I may have missed the first time around, or even the second. Each viewing of a masterpiece can be enlightening in a multitude of ways. Outside of "Jaws", which I'll concede is a masterfully done thriller, there really aren't any Spielberg films that I need to see more than once. Some of them I regret having viewed even once ("War of the Worlds" for example). "Saving Private Ryan" may be one of Spielberg's better movies, but it's still a Spielberg movie.

Fortunately, I was never in a war...and World War 2 was decided about 30 years before i was even born. But I believe the veterans when they say that "Saving Private Ryan" has the most realistic battle scenes ever displayed on film. I love movies with good battle scenes, especially ones that have something INTERESTING to watch in between the battle scenes. If you can relate, THIS is your WW2 movie. This film is a knockout. I still watch it at least twice a week. War dramas are usually boring, but even the drama scenes in this film are inspiring and mesmorizing. My hat goes off to Hanks for proving he can play just about any role...he is 100% believable in his role in this movie. I could go on and on, but I'll cap it off with this: "Saving Private Ryan" is recommended to anyone and everyone who wants to see the best war movie ever made.

The 15 minute journey into hell that was featured as the American forces stormed the beach at Normandy was perhaps the most riviting and horrifyingly true to life cinema that has ever been created. The audience is right in there amongst the carnage as bodies are being torn apart and young lives are lost in the most unnatural ways. I don't see any politics being played out here, just stark, naked reality. Although the actual occurrences of DDay outstripped these terrible scenes a thousandfold, from the accounts of surviving soldiers who were there, the film comes closer than any of it's predecessors. The story is secondary to the horrors lived out on screen and Spielberg outdoes himself as a director of visuals. The progression of this great director's career has been amazing. As his budgets rise, his films seem to grow exponentially.

This is a great movie. It's pretty long, but gives you a good idea of what soldiers had to go thru durring WWII. I have to say though, that I am sort of apalled of the fact that right now, it is airing on TNT, completely uneditied, with all of the language, and extreme goar. This movie should not be available fot little kids to watch on TV!!!!!

Well written, sensitively directed and superbly acted. The portrayal of Captain John Miller as a humbly man, a school teacher who only wanted to return home to his wife but never made it, was very moving and highly compelling. My father was a medic on the front lines in WWII, he did make it back home, only he returned with more than just physical scars; something of which he never talked about, he was a humble man too, as well as a brave man. War flims, art imitating live, what a shame that it has to exist.

Tom Hanks has always been a great actor.

This is a great movie, especially the first few minutes. You don't expect a movie to start right there, where other movies wait one hour. It is brutal and harsh, but it was good. Tom Hanks and pretty much everyone else did a good job. I just did not care for Matt Damon's part. I was so looking forward to see Private Ryan and then it was that unthankful guy.

I don't care what any historian-wannabes say -- this is a fabulous film. It's extremely well-acted (with the exception of Vin Diesel) and the first half hour is so horrifyingly crisp and tumultuous that you actually feel like you're there. For some reason, the saddest part for me was not the dramatic battle sequences, nor the ending in which practically every character is killed. It's the part where the graves are shown in Normandy, perfect crosses stretching as far as the eye can see. They all sacrificed so much, and that was what made me cry.

This film is sort of like watching two movies;the D Day invasion which is incredibly fast paced and realistic ,sort of slows down to the pace of a regular TV war movie.

Great movie. Almost made me cry. The D-day part was pretty sad.

Truly outstanding and one of the greatest combat films to date.

Saving Private Ryan - FUBAR!

From this film you'd think D-Day was Yanks only affair. Quick history lesson then. The US did not win WW2 single handed. Apart from most of the German army occupied on the Eastern Front, the US had little involvement in North Africa and in Western Europe, Britain had been at war with Germany for 2 years until the US joined in. Again, this film is an annoying example of huge bias just like that other one about the enigma machine.

I lOVED Saving Private Ryan; the best WW 2 two film I have ever seen. The cinamatogrophy was excellent, the acting was amazing, the realizem of the film is right on, and the over all story isjust entralling and inspiring. Steven Speilsberg did a superb job. The story of a sguad led by Cpt. John Miller (Tom Hanks) that storm the beach of Normady in one of the most horrific days in American history. Speilsberg, by the way did a great job of putting you in the middle of this horrible battle. The sguad is afterward sent on a special mission to find and bring home a Pvt. James Ryan somewhere in the German infested hills of France. while looking Ryan the sguad begins to doubt the mission and if it is worth risking the lives of these eight men to save one.Just an encredable film that leaves you with a knot in your throut from beginning to end. I give it ***** stars. Content: Strong Graphic War Violence, and Language (16 F-BOMBS).

Just after the opening scene of this movie you can already tell this is a much larger scale W W 2.Great acting with an all star cast; this movie puts you in the middle of one of the most traject days in American History, D-Day. After the whtie nuckly twenty minutes of that day on the beach Cp. John Miller is orderd to find and bring home a Prt. james Ryan. a squad of eight men set out though the German invested country of France they start to doubt there mission and if this Ryan is still alive. Going though the toughest struggle they have ever gone though they begin to doubt thereselves and if Saving Private Ryan is worth it. A masterpiece of a movie, Definately one of Speilsbergs best

Should have won "Best Picture" Oscar over "Shakespeare in Love." Pathetic moment in Academy Award history...

This rating is on the movie only- not Speilberg's politics. Im suprised someone rated it 1 just because of politics. Anyway, theis is one fabulous movie. The special effects are great, the story gripping. Tom Hanks again puts on a flawless act. The ending battle is pretty good, so's the beggining, with little battles in between. A must see.

This movie is so graphic that it brings a whole new meaning to the word. Sure, I can here the sillies in hollywood now, "That's how it was!" That is, of course, a lame excuse to do whatever they want, including copious violence, profanity and sexuality. Here's another movie to avoid.

Where this film stands up is in its depiction of modern warfare in all it's shocking brutality - particularly the first 20 minutes. The actual plot is a bit of a romp and makes no claim on historical accuracy, but does take the viewer across multiple battle zones in which American soldiers fought in the first few days of the Normandy Campaign. It does get a tad political at times, but without detracting too much from the power of the story.

The movie was good... but Speilberg's politics suck.

This is on my Top 10 list.

This was a great one.

very poory filmed. slipshod work. good job by tom hanks though. good action, bad plot and story line. i didnt get as built up as i did by braveheart. boring at times.

Very reminiscent of Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, except instead of seven, there are eight. Good action and drama film. Hanks gives a brilliant performance as does the rest of the cast, especially Pepper (the sniper\sharp-shooter). Probably Spielberg's third best film behind Schindler's List & Jaws.

It begins as one of the best of all time, but the movie weakens every minute, but i have to admit, the last scene is breathtaking.

We, French people, seem so stupid in this movie that it is chocking. Can you imagine seing a movie which takes place in The USA without seing one American? I know we owe you a lot, but please, Mr Spielberg, go back to movies such as Schindler's list . The one thing I've liked in this movie is the twenty first minutes, but what follows is really unbelievable!

Betrayal! I thought it was ok, but nothing that great. The scenes of the battles were good, but I was not really impressed w/ anything else in this movie.

No words can describe this film.

Saving Private Ryan was the greatest war movie. Steven Spielberg has outdone himself . This is one terrific film. Spielberg makes you feel the chaos of war, and let you know how it was. The filmis unforgettable especially the first 30 minutes, where they renact D-day. That was the most realistic combat scene ever. That scene redefined the phrase "WAR IS HELL!!!" With the images of soldier lying on the ground with spilled intestines, a soldier losing his arm, and picking it up, another soldier getting his leg blown off. The movie also had a moving story line with Tom Hanks leading his squad of seven soldiers to go behind enemy lines and save James Ryan, the only survivor of 4 brothers who were fighting in the war. If you have not seen this movie yet, you need to. It is a great film, and it is destined to become a classic.

Good enough to make you want to see to see it 10 times consecutively (if not more). Very sad movie. One of the saddest movies of all time. Tom Hanks did a really job at playing his character. See it as soon as possible.

This was a really amazing movie. It was so realistic you almost feel like you're there. It's not a movie for the weak stomached as it is a little gorey in some parts. Everyone in this movie does a great job and though it is a long movie it keeps you interested all the way through. Definitely worth seeing.

Actually the best movie and I have seen alot.I have nightmares from the first 25-30 minutes.

It is mind boggling the realistic effects in this movie. A highly recommended movie.

Anyone who does not believe that war veterans should receive great benefits should be forced to watch this movie and maybe they would quickly change their opinion. Incredibly intense movie at the beginning! I had to come out of the theatre and take a deep breath of fresh air at the end of the movie... wow!

One of the greates movies I have ever watched. Great direction and very well documented. Shows the strength, wit and fear in a war. Documents family love and love for your country.

Very graphic picture. The movie showed war at it's best. The plot was very good.

Saving Private Ryan was one of my favorite movies. It was a good war movie and had strong plots within. The movie was not just packed with action but also spoke to the emotional side of moviegoers. It was a little long, but the quality was so good I didn't realize it had been that long.

Good movie. Tells you a lot about the service and the things that happen within.

Again, Steven Spielberg has triumphed. He is a shockingly creative man, to take one war and create two masterpieces, emotionally charged, star-studded, brutally realistic, sparing no expense. This man makes beautiful movies. A wide range of people can enjoy and appreciate this movie--Veterans of this war, veterans of any war, students studying wartime, children of veterans, adults who knew someone who knew someone who died in the war, etc. This movie epitomizes the unbelievable sacrifice made time and again by our countrymen to keep our country and this world free. This movie has the power to make young people of peacetime appreciate the turmoil of people their age in wartime. Superbly acted, as Spielberg makes sure all his films are, though Damon's part is comparatively small, it is remarkably memorable, his fresh-faced youth almost painful to see amongst such rubble and conflict. As he speaks of better times with his dead brothers, it is heartbreaking. Tom Hanks, one of the acting greats of our time, delivers an Oscar-worthy performance, and I believe he speaks to the nation when he tells Private James Ryan to "EARN IT."

This movie is excellent. One of the best!!! I'm 17 years old and the movie frightens me; it makes me afraid that some day I may have to go to war and go through what the brave men who fought in World War II experienced. Still, though, everyone should see this movie. It gave me a greater appreciation for those who fought for our country and the lives that were sacraficed to save this world. This is Tom Hank's best performance. The cinematography is excellent. Everone should see this movie, it is guaranteed to boost your appreciation of the greatest generation.

Wow! This movie made me realize how not glamorous war is. Everything about it was outstanding. The acting was A+++, however the directing was incredible! This project had a dream team duo with Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. This movie will go down as one of the greatest movies ever, along with Forrest Gump.

A lot has been said about the opening battle sequence in this movie, and when I went to see Private Ryan at the cinema I thought I was prepared - after all, I have enjoyed watching a lot of films that contain a lot of violence and it has never really phased me. Wrong! I think Spielberg has captured the essence of large-scale conventional warfare at it's most real, short of actually being there. After the initial fight scene subsided I had to remind myself to breathe. And no, I don't think the violence is at all gratuitous - WWII resulted in the deaths of some 20-25 million soldiers and that's how it is. To soften the blow on the audience would be insulting and patronising. Anyway, the cast acts its way through the film flawlessly and I really felt for each and every GI that featured (the Germans are rather faceless, with one exception). Again, the battle at the end was grueling to watch and I didn't feel its impact was diminished by having sat through the first one. The opening and closing scenes with the old veteran some may find a bit sentimental & flag-waving, and the comments about Montgomery were a bit grating (I'm English by the way), but the film is supposed to be from the viewpoint of one squad not a history textbook, so I can forgive that. Overall, one of THE best war films ever made and technically, I think, one of the best shot and directed movies ever.

This movie reflects a deep understanding of what it is really like in war. The film captured the war essence and the multiple emotions of war. The concern and fear of death, hate, and frustration of watching your friends die.

Saving Private Ryan is a great war movie. It gives you a glimpse into a squad of soldiers during war time. From the opening scene the realization of war and the terrifying images of battle leave you breathless. The story is the struggle of a group of men doing whatever it takes to get home.

Overall, this was an excellent movie, primarily in the special effects and realism of the movie. For the most part, the movie was a very good re-enactment of WWII D-Day on Normandy. Very accurate, however, the actual storyline itself seemed somewhat questionable. The main point being expressed was an age old moral/philosophical question of whether one man's life is worth risking the lives of other good men.

Overblown. The first half of the film was good, until the typical Hollywood storyline took over. It is hard for me to ignore logic when it is violated for no reason.

This was a good movie for the realism of the war scenes and the powerful insight it gives people today into the horrors of war. I must say I didn't really care if they saved Private Ryan, but I don't know that they were meant to. The movie was more about the horrors and bravery of war then it was about any character.

Shows the graphic reality of war. One of the best story lines ever. Awesome performance by Tom Hanks.

I loved the historical aspect of the movie and how it depicted WWII and the battles. It also showed the personal and emotional side of the war by developing the characters to get on a human level with the audience.

Saving Private Ryan was a good drama. I loved the way it made me feel like I was right in the trenches with them. The actors did a good job of making me feel their emotions. I think I really know what war was like because of that movie. This was one of the best movies I have seen. This was a very touching, very realistic movie. The reason I like it so much is because it is so realistic.

I am a big fan of historical movies and this was a great documentary on what life during war is like. The brutality, despair, and hopelessness was wonderfully portrayed in the film. The storyline was good for demonstrating the coverage and bravery of soliders, and also for showing the audience the loss families endured during war times.

I don't know if I give this drama a rating of five stars in honor of Siskel and Ebert or in honor of my Government teacher, Mr. Berry, who would give it two thumbs down for its ability to evoke memories he'd rather supress. So five stars for its excellent effects, its emotional draw, its sense of reality, but five stars backwards from the ex-Vietnam solider who couldn't sit through the entire thing without gagging. So real was the stench of death drifting back into his nostrils. Five stars for the power of the film making.

Mr. Spealberg, please, stop doing that films. I only liked the first 20 minutes.

The opening sequence is so eloquently filmed it still haunts me. I can hear in my mind the soldier dying on Omaha Beach, screaming out for his mother. The rest of the movie was also terrific, but nothing compared to D-Day. Definitely one of Hank's best.

In the case of this film, the plot is not as realistic and extreme as the scenery, actions/words, and the truth to the era. I personally advise that non-WWII veterans see this movie, because possibly the acting and the backgrounds are so realistic that it could cause recurring bad or even traumatic memories to the viewer, and trigger unwanted emotions from that time in their lives that could send them into tears or fear. One good side is that it does a good job in showing just how incredibly influential WWII was, and it gives the viewer a good idea of the struggles, both military and personal. We, as Americans had to endure and win what could have been history's ultimate battle between good and evil.

Saving Private Ryan was a terrific movie. Spielberg makes you feel like you are right in the war. The costumes, historical background are superb. The story about Private Ryan is a sad story. He lost all his brothers and I could never imagine, but it makes the viewer think.

Perhaps the greatest and most realistic war movie ever filmed. The opening scene portraying the D-Day invasion was so real and so overwhelming that many WWII veterans had to leave the theater. It concerned the political as well as the social parts of war. Very historical and amazing. Despite showing intense violence, it was still a stern drama.

If you want to know more about war, watch this movie. If you want to know more about pain, suffering and compassion, watch this movie. If you want to know more about your fathers and grandfathers who served and suffered because of war, watch this movie. Only then will you truly understand the post traumatic stress war creates. Forget the blood and gory scenes. Think only of the suffering these men have endured. Private Ryan expresses what the old soldier holds inside.

This movie is way overrated. As sentimental as it is the premise of our soldiers looking to save Private Ryan is plain. Long, dragging movie.

Though this was a gruesome movie, the message sent out was very touching. To see lives die in order to save another life is something rarely done and one that must have been hard to do. I can't believe they sent a school teacher to lead, and that the life that was spared was also the one that took more lives.

This movie was great, but a little too gory. It depicted the war and the issue of trust and backstabbing very well. I usually don't like this kind of movie, but I loved this one.

I thought that SPR was great , I know that there are people out there that dont like seeing people getting shot in the head and seeing dead people but i thought that the film showed what really happined in WW2 and I think that it was just great :)

The cinematography was so realistic, and the action was directed so superbly, that you felt like you were the one who was landing on Omaha Beach. It was packed with action that worked, and the story/plot reached out to the audience. You felt connected to the characters, especially Tom Hanks. The last action scene was too unrealistic.