VHS CASE/SIDE
Length of film: 169 Minutes
Rated: R
Genre: Drama, War
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Hanks, Adam Goldberg, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Vin Diesel
IMDB Rank: 8.6/10
Part 1 Time: 106 Minutes
Part 2 Time: 63 Minutes
Where does the first part end? A German half-track is suddenly hit my bazooka fire. A small group of American soldiers emerge from their positions in the field. One of them identifies himself as Private James Ryan.
Final line of dialogue on the first part: James Francis Ryan responds to Captain Miller, “Yes, sir. How’d you guess that?”
First line of dialogue on the second part: “Looks like you guys got hit pretty hard.” Captain Miller speaks with Corporal Henderson as they walk towards the Ramelle bridge.
How jarring is it when the first part ends? Shocking/relieving, for over half the film Charlie company has been looking for Private Ryan. Through the mission Charlie company has been involved in multiple battles and have lost two men. At the end of part one they finally find him. But the mission is only half done, now Charlie company must bring him safely back.
Which part is better? Part one focuses on the Battle of Omaha Beach, Dog Green Sector and the search for Private James Ryan. The second half of the film concentrates on the defence of the Ramelle bridge from the German forces. Part one gets the edge due to the realism of the Battle of Omaha Beach, and the ups and downs Charlie company experiences while searching for Private Ryan.
Academy Awards: Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Effects-Sound Effects, Best Picture (Nominated), Best Actor- Tom Hanks, Nominated), Best Writing (Nominated), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Makeup (Nominated), Best Music-Original Dramatic Score (Nominated).
National Film Registry: 2014
THEATRICAL POSTER
Hollywood Half-Time 