The 1998 war epic, often hailed as “a masterpiece in every sense of the word”, is now available to watch on Sky.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, Saving Private Ryan is frequently touted as the greatest war film ever made, and it’s easy to see why.
Penned by Robert Rodat, this two hours and 49 minutes long film is set during World War II in 1944 Normandy, France.
The plot centres around a group of soldiers – led by Captain John Miller, brilliantly portrayed by Tom Hanks – who are tasked with finding (and saving) Private James Francis Ryan, played by Matt Damon, and ensuring his safe return home after his three brothers are killed in action.
Spielberg sought authenticity in the production, resulting in the main cast undergoing a week-long boot camp to better understand the reality of a World War soldier’s life, reports the Mirror.
The film’s opening sequence, which depicts the Omaha Beach assault, is regularly lauded as one of the most extraordinary war scenes ever captured on film.
Reportedly, this was the most challenging sequence of the production, costing $12 million to shoot over a three to four week period, and involving approximately 1,500 extras, according to the Express.
Featuring a star-studded cast including Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi, and Adam Goldberg, the film was shot almost entirely in chronological order. Some crew members reportedly described it as “a mentally demoralising experience” as actors departed the set when their characters died.
Saving Private Ryan grossed $481.8 million globally, making it the second highest-earning film of 1998.
The war epic garnered numerous awards, including five Oscars, two Golden Globes, two BAFTAs and Saturn awards, solidifying its status as both a box office hit and a critical success.
With an impressive 94 per cent approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, one reviewer praised the film as: “One of the most impactful, immersive war movies of all time, Steven Spielberg’s cinematic achievement takes us as close to the front line as possible offering a human take on the chaos of war.”
Another critic spotlighted the unforgettable opening battle scene, saying: “The 24-minute sequence at the start of Steven Spielberg’s Second World War drama is one of the greatest pieces of combat cinema yet made.”
A third reviewer said: “Not simply a 1990s classic or among the better prestige films of my generation, Saving Private Ryan is a stone cold masterpiece ranking among the very best war films of all time.”
Meanwhile, another added: “Saving Private Ryan is the war movie to end all war movies. It’s the ultimate combat film, far outdistancing what until now had been the genre’s World War II classics.”
Film enthusiasts were equally mesmerised, giving the picture an outstanding 95 per cent approval rating, with one fan saying: “Honestly i can’t see any flaws in this movie, it’s perfect! Always worth a watch.”
A second moviegoer said: “This was one of the most intense and heartwrenching movies I have ever seen. It pulled me into the hardships and brutality endured by the soldiers of World War II, and it heightened the importance of ‘no man left behind’. This was an incredible movie, and everybody should see it at least once in their lifetime.”
Saving Private Ryan is available to stream on Sky Cinema and Amazon Prime Video.