Saving Private Ryan (1999, DVD)

Director Steven Spielberg's World War II tour de force chronicles the journey of a GI squad on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. Led by Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks), the unit is under orders to track down a soldier, Private Ryan (Matt Damon), so he might return home to his mother in America, where she is grieving the unimaginable loss of her three other sons to the war. The first unforgettable 20 minutes of SAVING PRIVATE RYAN realistically and horrifically depicts the Normandy invasion as Miller. his second-in-command, Sergeant Horvath (Tom Sizemore), and the others in the unit land at Omaha Beach. Before the film began shooting, Hanks and the actors in his squad went through a one-week boot camp in the woods. All the actors, except Hanks, wanted to quit, but Hanks rallied their spirits by reminding them of the incredible tribulations endured by the real veterans of World War II. Production designer Tom Sanders found a beach in Ireland that perfectly matched the landscape of Normandy’s. Spielberg gave great credit to the Irish army who helped re-create the Omaha Beach scenes.

Saving Private Ryan is a realistic look at war. It's well acted. well photographed. It offers a view of things which to think about.

Everyone needs to see this! It's what Americans need to be reminded what these men did for the freedom that is now being taken for granted and abused!
May we never forget!

This movie should be seen by every Junior High and/or High School student in this country. Yes, the first 25 minutes of the movie are a bit strong in its content, but this is EXACTLY what our brave men had to deal with during the landings on Normandy. Our children today need to understand just what a lethal war WWII really was and what our forefathers did to preserve our freedom that we enjoy today. It seems like WWII is somewhat played down or forgotten about today with all of its veterans fast leaving this earth. There are very few around who actually participated in that conflict.

This movie is absolutely EXCELLENT and most compelling. I strongly urge every patriotic American to see this movie at least one time in their life. Along this same theme and another series I highly recommend is the HBO production "Band of Brothers".

Some people advise others to close their eyes during the long opening scene of Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan. That would be a mistake. Yes, it's carnage, it's horrible, it's relentless, it's bloody, it's random death, it's a portrayal of fear and courage and raw coincidence. But it's also one of the most powerful pieces of cinematography ever filmed.
There are many other scenes that have stayed with me during the years since I last saw this unforgettable film, perhaps Spielberg's best ever. Perhaps the most poignant one that comes immediately to mind is the woman whose sons are all away at war. She's on a remote farm, washing dishes, and thru her window she sees the dust of approaching cars. She goes outside to meet the visitors, tenses as she sees military brass and a chaplain step from the cars, then crumples wordlessly to the worn boards of her front porch as she tries to take in the news: all her boys have been killed, except for one: Private Ryan.
Another related scene, the one that came just before this one, is equally gut-wrenching (and in both scenes, there is no dialogue, just heart-stabbing visuals that are more powerful than any words could have been) as a woman charged with sending out letters of the We Regret to Inform You variety realizes that she's seen three letters with the same address within the past few days, and she takes this terrible proof to her supervisor - and thus is born the search for the surviving son, to bring him home to his momma.
Tom Hanks, with his own persona of morality and honesty, is perfectly cast as the good Captain Miller, a soldier's soldier charged with this onerous task, and of course there is terrible cost.
Saving Private Ryan is the film Spielberg HAD to make. Outstanding, in every possible way.

Personal Rating - 9.5 VERY SOLID!!

Anyone who says this movie does not deserve a 5 rating is crazy. This movie was so raw and honest. It was most definitely a step up from its time, and even more sophisticated than any movies made in the 2000's.

Another great movie, love the actors. It is a very different type movie, even for a war movie. We enjoy great movies and actors.

This movie, having won five Academy Awards and deserved more, is splendid in every way. Some call this movie Spielberg's greatest film. It is about eight men who are sent behind enemy lines in Normandy to rescue a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in combat and is the last son left to his mother. This movie has one of the most realistic portrayals of combat and the angry emotions felt on both sides. This movie is definitely not for the squeamish, but despite its many gut wrenching scenes, it is absolutely a classic worth owning.

I bought this movie because my husband wanted me to see it. I am not a big war movie watching gal but I did enjoy this movie. If you have a strong stomach and can watch a few gory scenes or see things that could be disturbing in war time then it's a really good movie. It is a bit long but I stayed tune to it the whole time. There are many known actors and they all did a really great job. I would recommend for my friends.

Very realistic movie about the war. But too graphic for children. I am glad it did not include any over riding political message. You can watch this this one with out having to sort out the political spin. The story line was very moving. Makes "grown men" cry.

My son bought this movie, I think this is a great way to build up a dvd collection. He has enjoyed watching the movie.

Their isn't a better war movie . A heroic experiance of a brave squad thrills any audiance. I highly suggest this movie. Just what you would expect from spielburg.

Great seller! The item was shipped to me quickly and in great condition! Thanks for a great gift for Father's Day!

smooth transaction. Received package on time, no delays and very fast purchase. Excellent seller. DVD in great condition

The storyline to this movie is great. It is a long movie so it is worth your time to get it on a saturday night. LOL But at the same time folks it is NOT a childs movie. In fact if you aren't old enough to know what some of those words mean you shouldn't be watching it. There is a reason ABC pulled it. The language is absolutely horrible. I have a potty mouth on me and for a woman can talk much like a sailor but this movie made even me a bit uncomfortable.

AWSOME MOVIE! SURE TO GO DOWN IN THE TEST OF TIMES A A TRUE WAR CLASSIC WITH A GREAT , MOVING PLOT! A MUST HAVE FOR ALL YOU MOVIE COLLECTORS! SO REALISTIC ITS SURE TO MOVE YOU!

Shows the Real aspects of War & what it does to those who are trying to live through it.Will some day,if not already,be a Classic as the interaction between members of sqaud of soldiers who don't understand the full meaning of what they are involved in as any soldier feels,is the main plot to me.Great action,just enough gore for realism.

It was nicely shipped and fast shipping. I bought it for my nephew who loves the movie and I got this particular DVD because it was a good buy.

" Saving Private Ryan " is an exciting movie. I would have to rate it one of the best done war movies done in my lifetime.

It's been over a year since first seeing Saving Private Ryan -- it's a worthy effort by Speilberg--his best since Shindler's List by far. You've probably heard about the amount of violence, blood, and gore and that's all true--it's got the Viet Nam movie style violence (and then some) but it's not gratuitous. Were it sanitized like early WWII movies, modern audiences probably wouldn't take it as seriously.

I bought this DVD for my husband for Christmas. He had it in video form and wanted it in DVD. I received it in a timely manner but it was packed in sawdust and it got everywhere when I opened it. The outer package of the DVD itself was crinkled so it did not really look good to give as a gift. The movie is one of our favorites and we will enjoy it for a long time.

This movie is one of the best. The seller said it was new and it is. I would buy from the seller again. It was shipped when he said and well packed.

I was terrible at history and am also terrible at remembering history (shame shame) but I love War movies for some reason. I hate war but I know it must happen for freedom. Movies like this really make you appreciate our troops past present and future!

One of the besf warr films of all times...

Based on a true story... It shows, how much sometimes Americans can go for one soldier, and save his life.

This is a MUST BUY. It is one of those videos that you should watch periodically to remember what our military does for us. The sacrifice that is made for OUR freedom. It is amazing that those heros can be so selfless! It also shows how the families go through great grief and should be thanked as well! The movie is action packed and is a WINNER by me!!!