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Re: More Thoughts On Saving Private Ryan... (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Dear Steve: I agree with your remarks, as far as they go, but after the first 20 minutes, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN is just warmed over A WALK IN THE SUN (Milestone, 1945), with gratuitous material thrown in. PEARL HARBOR is no more derivative. I can ever complain about Spielberg's technical command, but here, as he often does, he has made a theme park, not a piece of art. Your criticism supports three stars, not five.
Regards.
[Macresarf1]
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Oct 23 '01
2:30 pm PDT
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More Thoughts On Saving Private Ryan... (Reply to this comment)
by firstcontact21
I've posted this here because I think it's important to see the film first before reading what I say below. So you've been warned...
Many criticisms have been laid against "Saving Private Ryan" for being too American. I feel that these opinions are misguided in nature because "Saving Private Ryan" is an American story.
It's a story of American brothers who were killed fighting under American command for America. It's about the American wing of the D-Day invasion at Omaha beach and the many Americans who died trying to take that beach. And it's a story about a small group of American soldiers who have been sent out on an American mission, to find a single American man.
Just like "Gallipoli" is an Australian story. "Das Boot" and "All Quiet on the Westren Front" are German ones. And even "Platoon," and "Born on the Fourth of July" serve as other examples of American stories like "Saving Private Ryan." These are films about tragedy in the midst of history. More importantly, these are all anti-war films, that each tell their own horrificly honest stories. And we can never have enough stories, especially when they are good ones.
Another criticism that I would like to respond to is one I read on the web about the "silly" reading of the letter by a General near the beginning of the movie. In it he reads about the men who died in the American Civil War. Although this was largely ignorant criticism, as when one reads about the movie one will learn that the screenwriter was originally working on a script for a movie about the American Civil War, and that letter was an original document about an actual event that took place during that war. So I think its reference is highly appropriate, for not only does it give a parallel of comparison to other wars, but it also supports the notion that all wars in our history have been terrible.
And finally, I want to applaud John Williams's subtle and haunting score that was composed for "Saving Private Ryan." Once again Spielberg and Williams have collaborated to bring us a score that is moving, but at the same time doesn't overpower the telling of the story. The score does what a good film score should do, and that is to enhance the storytelling.
Overall, I feel that "Saving Private Ryan" is a very important film, that should be watched by everyone worldwide.
- Steve
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Mar 05 '01
12:14 am PST
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