Steven Spielberg's 1998 war epic Saving Private Ryan, widely hailed as one of the greatest war films ever made, is now available to stream on Sky Cinema and Amazon Prime Video. The film, which follows a group of soldiers led by Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) on a mission to rescue Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon) during the Normandy invasion, has been praised for its relentless realism and emotional depth.
The production prioritised authenticity, with the cast undergoing a week-long boot camp to understand the soldier's experience. The iconic 24-minute opening sequence depicting the Omaha Beach assault cost $12 million to film over three to four weeks, employing approximately 1,500 extras. The film was shot almost entirely in chronological order, a decision some crew members described as 'a mentally demoralising experience' as actors left when their characters died.
Saving Private Ryan grossed $481.8 million worldwide, becoming the second-highest-grossing film of 1998. It won five Oscars, two Golden Globes, two BAFTAs, and multiple Saturn Awards, cementing its status as both a critical and commercial triumph.
Critics have been effusive in their praise. One reviewer called it 'a stone cold masterpiece ranking among the very best war films of all time', while another described the opening battle as 'one of the greatest pieces of combat cinema yet made'. Audiences agree, giving the film a 95 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with one viewer stating it is 'perfect' and another urging everyone to see it 'at least once in their lifetime'.
