Saving Private Ryan - am I alone?

[rhinochopig]

Other than the beach scene, I think it's a truly crappy film. The story is poorly told, and the characters are utterly one dimensional. They tick every war film character cliché. All IMHO obviously.

Are people just blinded by the truly spectacular beach scene or am I missing something?

[ATG]

I have a lot of problems with this film. Chief amongst them is that it encouraged a lot of people to say "it was like you were really there". No, wrong. They weren't there, so how on earth do they conclude that they are in any position to judge whether or not the film produced one iota of the same effect on them as actually jumping into cold water and charging a beach while someone's trying to mow you down with a machine gun? The conceit is absolutely obscene.

[carter711]

I think it's an awesome film of bravery and is truely scary when the German tanks are coming towards them before the end battle.

A film I could happily watch again.

[deevlash]

the beach scene was awesome but it the rest of the film was a bit weak, it was a good dry run for band of brothers though.

[Andy_stook_2k]

I agree 100%, the beach scene is rather lively but the film fades away. The final scene in the town is quite good though.
I find Enemy At The Gates to be a much better film.

[freecar]

ATG said:

I have a lot of problems with this film. Chief amongst them is that it encouraged a lot of people to say "it was like you were really there". No, wrong. They weren't there, so how on earth do they conclude that they are in any position to judge whether or not the film produced one iota of the same effect on them as actually jumping into cold water and charging a beach while someone's trying to mow you down with a machine gun? The conceit is absolutely obscene.

Judging by the veterans who were in the cinema the same time as me saluting the credits and crying I think they did a pretty good job!

[Bug106]

I have this film on DVD and think it is epic! On the realism point we had to watch it at school a couple of years ago when we had a substitute teacher who was French and was involved in WW2. He said the film is very accurate and portrays what it was really like very well.

[T89 Callan]

It's not a great film to be honest.

It has the same problem as Band of Brothers in that if you look past the sheen of the action and the setimentality it isn't actually that good.

Don't get me wrong, I love Band of Brothers but if you look at it purely as a TV show it is pretty poorly put together, especially if compared to a well structured well directed programme like The Sheild or The Sopranos

[Parsnip]

Bug106 said:

a substitute teacher who was French and was involved in WW2. He said the film is very accurate and portrays what it was really like very well.

Were you watching 'allo 'allo instead of saving private ryan?

[AB]

One of my favourites...

[Asterix]

I think SPR was the first film to accurately capture the 'sound' of war.

Having been on the receiving end of gun fire and reasonably close to various explosions (ex-Army), it is a very close likeness. I can remember seeing it in the cinema and being quite shocked at the battle segments for that reason alone.

As a story? It's not bad.

[Bug106]

Parsnip said:

Were you watching 'allo 'allo instead of saving private ryan?

It was definitely Saving Private Ryan. The only French accent around was the teachers.

[sstein]

I thought it was a terrible film.

[bridgdav]

Better than SPR on its own.

Play Call of Duty ON PS2/PC for the first time on a big screen, surround sound turned up. (Its not easy)
Coupled with the feel of SPR - the beach scene and having a play on the PS2 are mind changing experiences.

I could never even think how difficult it was for those soldiers who survived, still fighting after seeing their nates killed / drowned or wounded.

[Mr. Potato Head]

Spend 25 million dollars or however much making the opening sequence as good as they can and then make the rest of it up.

It's like saying there weren't any interesting stories in the 10 days after D-day.

Made up for somewhat by Band of Brothers.

[OnTheOverrun]

Excellent special effects, poor story especially landing at Omaha and fighting your way across Normandy without seeing a single Brit or Canadian despite more Brits and Canadians landing on D-day than Americans did and a hell of a lot more of them surviving.

[sinizter]

rhinochopig said:

Other than the beach scene, I think it's a truly crappy film. The story is poorly told, and the characters are utterly one dimensional. They tick every war film character cliché. All IMHO obviously.

Are people just blinded by the truly spectacular beach scene or am I missing something?

I didn't like except for one or two scenes either. Tried rewatching it in case I missed something - couldnt get to the end.

[ATG]

freecar said:

ATG said:

I have a lot of problems with this film. Chief amongst them is that it encouraged a lot of people to say "it was like you were really there". No, wrong. They weren't there, so how on earth do they conclude that they are in any position to judge whether or not the film produced one iota of the same effect on them as actually jumping into cold water and charging a beach while someone's trying to mow you down with a machine gun? The conceit is absolutely obscene.

Judging by the veterans who were in the cinema the same time as me saluting the credits and crying I think they did a pretty good job!

There's an enormous difference between someone who has been there and done it recalling what it was like, and someone whose entire "experience" consists of seeing a film.

[callyman]

I do like the film, but i must say the 1st 15 mins (beach scene)is the best part.

[DirtyHarry88]

My favourite film so naturally I disagree with what you've said.