Saving Private Ryan [DVD] [1998]

This shall be a review of Steven Spielberg's 1998 film, 'Saving Private Ryan', on Blu Ray. The plot basically revolves around a group of 8 American soldiers led by Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks), who, following the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944, are sent behind German lines to find and rescue one man, Private James Ryan (Matt Damon). Along the way, each man questions the sense of the mission and uses this with the hope of finding his answer. That's basically the plot of the film. However, that is not all. The film is known for its intense opening 26 minute battle scene on Omaha Beach and for its all-out, realistic depiction of combat. The film also boasts an incredible cast. As mentioned already, you have Tom Hanks and Matt Damon playing the lead characters and both actors are simply outstanding here, in my opinion. However, you should also recognise some other familiar faces, such as Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Giovanni Ribishi, Barry Pepper, Jeremy Davies and even Vin Diesel. The list really does seem endless, but it is the acting talent on hand with this film that makes it so memorable. Finally, the Blu Ray quality. Picture: 9/10. I am going to give the picture quality a solid 9. I bought this to replace my DVD copy (which was fairly battered) and, may I say, this release did the job very nicely for me. There is a massive improvement in picture over my DVD counterpart. Basically, the colours, textures and general sharpness are all on top form. While some grain does remain throughout the film, that is only to be expected, given that this is a war film. Apart from that, the picture is very sharp and has been wonderfully cleaned up, ensuring that a solid transfer is guaranteed here. Sound: 9/10. The sound also gets a 9 from me. In fact, I would say that, if you want to hear 'Saving Private Ryan' in the best possible way in your own home at the present, get this. The sound is absolutely fantastic, even on a standard Plasma setup! With the battle scenes, you can hear every bullet fly, every explosion and feel the intensity. The dialogue then is crystal clear and John Williams' score is wonderful to hear in such clarity now on Blu Ray. Lastly, I would recommend a purchase of the 2-Disc Special Edition Blu Ray. The first disc is the film, while the second disc contains the Special Features and many of these are in HD, too, which is excellent. Staying with this, the special features themselves primarily focus on the making of the film and they are very interesting, all things considered. So, to conclude, 'Saving Private Ryan' (the two disc edition) is an absolute bargain on Blu Ray. I bought it off here fairly recently to replace my DVD copy and I was more than satisfied with the purchase. If you haven't seen this film, I strongly recommend that you do. It is Spielberg at his absolute best! If you happen to have the DVD and are wondering if you should upgrade, my suggestion is to go for it. Money well spent. Thanks for reading my review. I hope it helps.

Can't believe that I did not watch this sooner, brilliant movie.

One best war movies in existence probably is or full metal jacket anyway pretty sure everyone seen this story is amazing acting is powerful the action and the drama is unreal I'm pretty sure won few awards or Oscars

Excellent movie and well worth owning the physical copy

Earn this.

I'm not one of those who think this film is great because it remarks the sacrifice for freedom etc..., nor I'm one of those who criticized it because of that. I think that this film might have been even better without some patriotic rhetoric and if it kept the bitter mood and approach of the first half, also in the second half. But still this film is, after 15 years, a masterpiece: it is the first to show battle scenes with a realistic and groundbreaking technique which taught and inspired all the action and war films since then. And it is the first great film (along with The Thin Red line, which is even better) in years to talk about war without focusing on VIetnam and other recent wars. And by doing it, the film manages to refresh the old style war movies (with true passion, action, friendship and honor) with a new sensibility made of violence and bitterness. So all the first half is striking because it really throws you into the battle, makes you suffer and heavily breathe, feel in peril and then relieved, but always keeps you on the edge. And while the story goes on, you enter a surreal world, made of ruins and solitude, where even the leader is not that solid and confident about what is going on. A mix of shocking scenes, of realism and some poetic and intimate moments (Tom Hanks look during the battle, his sudden cry, soldier missing their parents and the words they didn't said to them) which represent all the best part of Spielberg, and some surprising sides who were unknown to most people (but he was already a disenchanted and critical director in the seventies, and not just a reassuring master of happy-endings). In the second half you lose that and all that's left is mostly violence and a fantastic filming style. So the film is still superlative, and the blu ray is probsbly one of the best ever released, but at the end, although you can't hold your tears despite the retoric, because you've been led to it passing through a dramatic and emotional path, you get the feeling that, was it a little more unbiased (the capture of the german soldier seems to add and even more human and compassionate touch to the story, until it gets an unfair and incorrect twist), it would have be even more shocking, effective, impressive and mature. But Spielberg, despite his huge talent and humanity, is still a reckless kid who love playing with Hollywood, and needs to be loved by everyone: and this is what puts him in the elysium of great directors (able to speak to everyone and still not be merely mainstream), but it is not enough to promote him among those who really tried to say something different and even unpopular (except for Munich, which is what Private Ryan could have been to war, and it was not)

"Saving Private Ryan" is a very good war film. It explores the reactions and responses of soldiers and the consequences of vital decisions. It certainly asks, "What happens to the parents of a large family if a number of them are killed in action?" Whilst the film does not play out the family situation, the question remains in the background. Tom Hanks and Matt Damon are always good value and the supporting cast are excellent. Apart from the Normandy landing, my favourite part of the film is when they can hear the approach of the unseen German armour. The sounds really create a state of foreboding.

An absolute classic.