Steven Spielberg’s Seminal War Movie ‘Savng Private Ryan’ Is Streaming on Prime Video as It Celebrates Its 27th Anniversary

War movies range between gigantic, explosion-filled action flicks and slower, more intimate examinations of the effects and consequences of war. Sometimes a movie comes along and manages to achieve both to great effect, all while delivering a phenomenal, character-driven story in its own right. That’s exactly what Steven Spielberg achieved in 1998, and, 27 years later, the film is as impactful, educational, and unflinching as ever. Spielberg’s seminal World War II movie, Saving Private Ryan, turns 27 years old this week, and for those looking to celebrate that anniversary (or if you just want another excuse to watch its seminal opening scene), it’s currently streaming on Prime Video.

Saving Private Ryan was released in 1998 and quickly became a hit with fans and critics. More contemporary reviews have bestowed the film with a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score. But the movie immediately wowed critics when it was released in the ’90s. Roger Ebert awarded it a perfect 4 stars, calling the film a “powerful experience.” His review continued:

“Spielberg knows how to make audiences weep better than any director since Chaplin in “City Lights.” But weeping is an incomplete response, letting the audience off the hook. This film embodies ideas. After the immediate experience begins to fade, the implications remain and grow.”

The film stars Tom Hanks as platoon leader, Captain Miller, during the Second World War. After storming the beaches of Normandy, Miller and his platoon are ordered to travel inland to find Private Ryan (Matt Damon), who is being relieved of active duty following the death of his three brothers. The film also stars Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Jeremy Davies, Giovanni Ribisi, Adam Goldberg, Nathan Fillion, Bryan Cranston, Paul Giamatti, Ted Danson, and Vin Diesel.

‘Saving Private Ryan’ Is One of the Most Realistic War Movies Ever Made

There’s a growing trend online regarding realism in movies. YouTube is filled with experts and “experts” reacting to scenes from movies and rating them for realism. But, decades before that trend would take off, Saving Private Ryan earned the realism stamp of approval from real World War II veterans.

The effect of Saving Private Ryan‘s opening scene has become something of a legend among film fans. The extended opening scene depicts the Normandy Invasion, where US and Allied soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, against the Nazis. The depiction of the battle was reportedly so realistic that it triggered the PTSD of World War II and Normandy veterans who watched the scene.

Outside of its marks for realism, the scene is considered to be one of the greatest opening scenes in cinema history. To achieve the shot, Spielberg had four replicas of the beach built to use for each take. After one take, they would move on to the next beach, while the crew reset the first one, continuing down the line and repeating the process until the scene was shot.

Source: RogerEbert.com