Saving Private Ryan: Saving Hollywood
344297
Just when you thought the great era of War Movies was long over, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg pull out a faith restoring movie.
In the grand style we've come to expect from Spielberg, he and Tom Hanks bring forth an  outstanding story. With a script as well written as this, everything else  was simply eye and ear candy...but WHAT CANDY! The visual effects of this  movie far surpas any of the older war movies.
While I'm a John Wayne fan  of high extreams, I'd classify Tom Hank's portraile of a WWII Captain far  surpasing of even the Duke!  Hurrah and Kudos!
This is a MUST SEE for  anyone that has even the slightest ounce of patriotism or emotion. Saving  Private Ryan will make you laugh, curse, and at times even cry. If you're  looking for a movie to restore your faith in an industry that's turning  from storyline to bikini-line, HERE IT IS.
3083424
it's good remember the sacrifice these men made. the greatest depiction of world war 2 since saving private Ryan
I have watched this series several times and intend to watch it several more times in the future.
3603959
'The Longest Day' is perhaps the greatest dramatic record of one of the defining moments in world history. After the intimacy of 'Saving Private Ryan', many critics have accused it of being a 'sanitized' version of the Normandy Invasion, but it is a different kind of film, entirely! While Steven Speilberg's aim was to personalize the horror facing the first wave of troops to hit the beach, Producer Darryl F. Zanuck, a D-Day vet, himself, wanted to create a mosaic of the myriad of personalities, events, and experiences that shaped the day. It is a film that looks objectively at all the forces who fought this epic battle, wisely casting major stars of each country to portray actual and fictitious characters. This is a bold move, as subtitles are used extensively, and the film has a uniquely international flavor. This is not your usual war film with 'American actors doing funny accents'!
There are many standout performances; a few that deserve particular recognition are Richard Burton's war-weary RAF pilot; Dietmar Schnherr as one of the last Luftwaffe pilots, facing an impossible order; Jeffrey Hunter, a young sergeant who is 'Dear John'ed and faces the horrendous Omaha landing; Sean Connery (before James Bond) as a cocky Irish infantryman; Sal Mineo, a doomed foot soldier; and John Wayne (himself a war film icon), as Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Vandervoort, the Airborne commander, whose forces survive a disasterous predawn parachute drop.
Filled with drama, humor, and pathos, 'The Longest Day' works on many levels, and is never dull! Nearly forty years after its initial release, it is still seems as fresh and engrossing as ever, and works equally well viewed by itself, or paired with 'Saving Private Ryan'.
It should be an essential part of your film library!
2050862
This is an outstanding account of the Destroyer Laffey's battle against 21 Japanese Kamikaze aircraft determined to sink the destroyer.  This would make an excellent topic for a film by those outstanding film maker's Spielberg and Hanks. It could be as riveting as "Band of Brothers" and  "Finding Private Ryan" or " 12 O'CLOCK High and "The Longest Day by other equally good film makers.  If any readers can bring this book to the attention of any qualified film maker, I'm confident it would be an award wining project!  Good job, Wukovits
Bpjacks
1922677
I highly recommend this DVD.  I have not read the book it is based upon, so I cannot comment on its faithfulness to the book.  There are specific episodes that I believe are outstanding.  The one where Easy Company is in the Argonne Forest, I believe. I suppose what makes this series appealing is its honesty and its basis on actual events and people, unlike Saving Private Ryan.  Like Black Hawk Down, these are real people experiencing real events.  There are no throw away ( the moral quandry of war) characters like "Oppen" (sp?) in Saving Private Ryan.  It's the real thing.  My only regret about this miniseries is that it premiered on the Sunday night, September 9th, just before the Islamic terror attacks on the US.  Perhaps it was coincidence, but the themes of good fighting evil, of free people fighting to free others, rings oh so true and timely.
2580461
Call this the Korean "Saving Private Ryan."  It's graphic and as realistic as a movie probably can get about the horrors and senselessness of war.  I enjoyed this movie more than "Saving Private Ryan" because the focus was on the love between brothers than just for another comrade or countrymen.  Additionally, it totally reveals the worst and best characteristics of man during war.  The only reservation about whole heartily recommending the movie is it violence.  It's as bad or even worse than any war movie I've seen.  With that said, this is a well-made thought provoking tearjerker.
2511632
Reading this book was like watching "Saving Private Ryan"! If one saw that movie I can tell that this book is the same or better.
I started reading war books at early age and in next 38 years read many of them. Eastern front, Europe, Pacific naval battles, island campaigns, U boat war, Africa, Vietnam ... you name it I read it. However this book was so intense that I hardly could put it down before ending a last page. I have it in Kindle, but will order paper copy to join my history books collection.
Only complaint I have is that it could be longer with more to read. But you know, it is what it was. Wolfgang Faust experienced deadly tankers duels from first person perspective driving a Tiger tank. No sugarcoating, lengthy describing a nature or BS of any kind, just action with almost no void space in between. Crashing rounds, burning tanks, turrets blown into air, Katyusha rockets, tanks ramming after firing last round, infantry engagements around tanks fighting, equipment breakdowns, hot, cold, no food ... it is all in there. Vividly described with amazing details of action.
I did not know that tank German tank engine and transmission had to be replaced every 800-1000 km. Many did not survive no riding around since they were thrown into the battle right from the railroad cars and promptly destroyed in first engagement.
I am reading now Faust's second and last book "The Last Panther" describing last days of WWII from his perspective. He survived against all odds, many of his comrades and Russian tankers were left behind burning in their machines. We are lucky that author had superb talent to write an compelling experience for us to read about. We can't tell him to write more books. Unfortunately he didn't live long enough to see his work published. Written word will still survive all times
687715
I've seen this movie three times now and have enjoyed it each time I've watched it. It's important to note that although following a real group of Seals - although it's created with the fictional plot, the events - to an extent - are everyday reenactments. Picture the civil war reactors meets modern day Hollywood.

I'm going to start off with why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. The plot. Like I said, it's fictional and Hollywood. The Seals have to stop a terrorist from getting tech into the country that can bypass all safety measures we have in place. I didn't research the tech, but it sounded real enough. The problem with the plot is the typical Hollywood style, thin and rushed with no real context, no fault to the "actors" and director.

The rest is amazing. The visuals are spectacular and look amazing on blu-ray. The action sequences are breathtaking. The first time I watched it, I literally had a few holy cow moments! You really get a glimpse of the teamwork and effort that goes into each mission. They really do give a glimpse to the out of combat happenings, which for a war movie deserves props. It doesn't romanticize. There are some gory moments, but not terrible - certainly not as bad as most modern war movies.

I would highly recommend at least renting, if not buying this movie. I didn't find this movie to be political or propaganda. I lean heavy to one side of the political spectrum and I never felt like Hollywood was trying to push a message - which is what I like. I watched it to be entertained, and I wasn't let down. Worth it!
2509359
It was a real treat to be able to find and give this film to my husband for Christmas.  Not only was he a Navy man, he is also of Irish heritage and this brought tears to his eyes.  For younger people who find "Saving Private Ryan" the epitome of a war movie, please check this story out - the truth is often better than fiction. A well crafted film story will stay with a person forever - I have only seen this film twice before the purchase (once with my father and once with my husband) and know it scene by scene.
1137908
Take your "Saving Private Ryans", your "Big Red Ones", your "Band of Brothers"', put them together; they'll never match the excitement and apparent authenticity of this 1962 gem.  Unlike "Ryan", which followed a powerful subplot, "TLD" relies on the experiences of the average soldiers, the resistance fighters, and leaders (both Nazi and Allied) in a chronological retelling of the D-Day Invasion itself.  Eisenhower is seen making the final decision to invade; Rommel leavinig Normandy because he knows the Allies would never land in the rain.  In other words, this film tells the whole story, American, British Commonwealth, German, and French.  Those who complain that this seems too broad a brush with which to paint would be surprised at how well Zanuck knit the various scenes together, in part because of the comeraderie built among the allied troops and their leaders.
It is true that "Ryan" showed a bloodier, and therefore probably more war-like, beach landing, but once again this is due to different motives:  Speilberg's, to bring our emotion around the suffering of the main characters; Zanuck et al to show the events of the war in a human context, without being glib.  And the black and white shots make it more family-friendly.
"Patriotic" films, especially from former decades, tend to portray the enemy as cartoonish or monstrous; TLD is not one of those films.  The German characters are portrayed as human; their place in the film seems to illustrate the tragic mistakes their leaders have made in their plans, not to show us how "bad" Germans were. (This was not a film designed to explore the horrors of the Nazis' extracurricular activities; but it does not give a sense of avoiding them).
The French and German characters speak French and German, not English with French and German accents, and not bad French and German.  In many cases German actors portray the Nazi leaders and soldiers at the beach.
And who can beat this film for it's star-studded glory?  Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Sal Mineo, Eddie Albert, Paul Anka as a Ranger scaling Pointe du Hoc, Sean Connery, Richard Burton...Red Buttons has the unenviable job of playing paratrooper John Stele, 101st Airborne, who ended up with his chute caught on a church steeple, German gunfire all around him.  (The church in Ste. Mere Eglise still has a "dummy" chutist hanging there to memorialize Steele, who died in 1969, as well as stained glass windows telling the chutists' story). In one of the neatest twists, British D-Day vet Richard Todd, a screenstar there, plays Maj. Richard Howard.  One wonders where Brigadier General Jimmy Stewart was at casting time...maybe he was already too busy with "Cheyenne Autumn" or "How the West Was Won." Regardless, if you like American film from this era, you're sure to find one or two of your favorite male actors here.
The DVD is nice for its letterbox view, and the trailers are fun to watch.  This year marks the 60th anniversary of D-Day.  If you and your family are looking for media that teaches accurately the important events of that pivotal day, this one is highly recommended.
4471647
I felt that the book was appropriate about Spielberg's enormous contribution to the film industry over his career. The book has wonderful pictures and stories about each film from the first film, The Sugerland Express, to Saving Private Ryan with E.T. The Extra Terrestial, the Indiana Jones trilogy, and Schindler's List among the films listed here. This book chronologizes Spielberg's film-making techniques as well the special and visual effects. I am not one of his biggest fans. I admire his work and contributions to the film industry but I prefer more than the special and visual effects. There are other film-makers and directors out there that do less with more.
2236045
I am a huge fan of World War II movies and damn near have everything ever made, from the Sands of Iwo Jima to Saving Private Ryan, and while I  enjoyed U571, it seemed to hollywood to be considered a great movie. While  the interactions and chain of command descions by the crew was top notch,  it lacked the intensity and in-depth characterization that the great WWII  movies possess. We could all feel for Patton as he stormed through Italy,  we all wanted Prv. Ryan to come home safely, and in this movie, I was shown  more explosions and action than actual in-depth character appeal, which is  the real strength of a WWII movie, to humanize war.
If you are looking  for a seriously good World War II movie based on submarines, look no  further than DAS BOOT, directed by Wolfgang Petersen. The level of  intensity is insane as I was stuck to the edge of my seat for the majority  of the movie and its best factor is that it humanizes an entire crew. We  feel that we are there with them, through their pain and triumph.
Nice  try Hollywood but i'm not buying this one as great!
1444873
Desmond Doss is one of my personal heros. He is also a hero of the film maker. I have heard bits and pieces of Mr. Doss' story, but this interview him, some of his fellow soldiers, and goes to the actual sites of where he trained and fought. This gives the real story in great detail.

When I was younger, I believed the trope that it takes a great deal of courage to be a conscientous objector and not serve in the military. Mr. Doss' example demolishes that idea. He showed us what real courage is, and the world needs more of it.
2390672
Along with Saving Private Ryan, a must see for anyone considering entering military service. The bare essence of the utilization of military force is exposed at the personal level for all to vicariously experience.  While many are fortunate to spend their time or careers in military service without being called upon to go "all in," when the bugle sounds and the flag goes up, everyone must be ready to pay the price.  This movie provides a glimpse of how we endure the hardships and losses involved while consistently winning for our country.
784330
I've seen a lot of war movies in over half a century.  "Saving Private Ryan" might be the best one ever.  "Band of Brothers" brings the same depth and terror of war as "Ryan."  I really don't care for the characters themselves.  They seem like a modern interpretation of the soldiers of the 1940s.  But, the action is really powerful.  Worth every dollar.
1275805
The writer of this film should have received an Academy Award alongside of Spielberg, it is nothing short of EXCELLENT!
For the rest of my life I will watch this film along with the real D-Day documentaries on June 6th. The men who fought this war were true heroes and forever will be. I think every generation should pay tribute to the soldiers today and tommorrow who die willingly for our freedom. Spielberg has accomplished something with this film that touches upon both American pride and on the humanness of war. The scenes on the Normandy beach will reach in and grab ahold of your heart; torturing you beyond belief. But then pride will well up inside that same heart and your entire being will cheer as the first soldiers scale the hill. The movie just continues from there with scene after scene of triumph and terror with a storyline that will match the action in intensity, something rarely found these days.
I hope you will watch and say a prayer for all those souls who fought so bravely for American freedom. Remember those who fight today and hope that it isn't in vain. Spielberg is a master director who believes in the truth and shoots his movies with conviction. I only wish politicians were of the same caliber.
4168366
The Canadians who landed at Dieppe astoundingly suffered nearly 85% casualties, a much, much higher rate than suffered by the Americans at Omaha Beach.

I ordered this video and was very excited to finally receive it.  Anyone expecting a Saving Private Ryan type of epic will be disappointed.  This movie has more of a "made for TV" feel about it, meaning a small budget which makes sense as it was made in Canada and not in Hollywood.  And as such, the small budget can be excused.  But the movie is also overly long and omits too much such as the story of the Calgary tank regiment.  I am appreciative of the fact that at least this movie exists since it seems to be the only one that is available about this amazing story.

Narayan