Opened: July 24, 1998

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore, Jeremy Davies, Vin Diesel, Adam Goldberg, Barry Pepper, Giovanni Ribisi, Matt Damon, Dennis Farina, Ted Danson, Harve Presnell, Bryan Cranston, David Wohl, Nathan Fillion, Paul Giamatti, Ryan Hurst, Max Martini, Leland Orser, Joerg Stadler & Harrison Young

In one of the best war films ever made, director Steven Spielberg shows the intensity of WWII while developing strong characters that bring humanity to it.

After hearing of a mother who lost three of her four sons in action, General George C. Marshall (Harve Presnell) sends orders to have Private James Ryan (Matt Damon) recovered and sent home. Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) leads the expedition through dangerous enemy territory.

There’s a strong emotional current not just for the reuniting of family, but for the other soldiers being forced to risk their lives. The characters are fully fleshed, which doesn’t happen often in war films.

Spielberg amazingly crafts battle scenes and knows how to edit them to make the most of the emotional toll. Just the first half-hour is enough to make this film legendary.

Final say: Breathtakingly genius. ★★★★★