‘Stone cold masterpiece’ film hailed ‘greatest ever’ but fans have days to watch | Films | Entertainment

The 1998 war epic, often hailed as “a masterpiece in every sense of the word”, is currently available to stream on Netflix but only for a limited time.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Saving Private Ryan is consistently ranked as the greatest war film ever made, and the justification is clear.

Penned by Robert Rodat, this two hours and 49 minutes picture is set during World War II in 1944 Normandy, France.

The narrative centres on a group of soldiers — led by Captain John Miller, brilliantly portrayed by Tom Hanks — who are tasked with finding (and retrieving) Private James Francis Ryan, played by Matt Damon, and ensuring his safe return home after the loss of his three brothers in battle.

Spielberg aimed for realism throughout production, which is why the main cast underwent a week-long boot camp to deepen their appreciation of a World War soldier’s ordeal.

The film’s opening sequence, showing the Omaha Beach assault, has consistently been lauded as one of the most extraordinary war scenes in cinematic history, reports the Liverpool Echo.

It was reportedly the most challenging scene to shoot, demanding $12 million to stage over a three to four week period, and utilised approximately 1,500 extras.

Featuring 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, with some crew members reportedly describing it as “a mentally demoralising experience” as cast members departed the production once their characters died.

Saving Private Ryan took $481.8 million at the worldwide box office, cementing its position as the second-highest-grossing film of 1998.

The war epic scooped a string of prestigious honours, among them five Oscars, two Golden Globes, two BAFTAs and Saturn awards, solidifying its status as both a commercial triumph and a critical tour de force.

Boasting an impressive 94 per cent critics approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, one reviewer praised the film: “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 turned their attention to the legendary opening battle sequence, writing: “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.”

A further glowing review 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.”

Audiences proved equally passionate, awarding the film an impressive 95 per cent approval rating, with one devoted fan declaring: “Honestly i can’t see any flaws in this movie, it’s perfect! Always worth a watch.”

Another viewer added: “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 Netflix until May 12.