September 1999

Saving Private Ryan
Reviewed by Roger Kanno
Laserdisc format

Overall Enjoyment:
Picture Quality:
Sound Quality:
Packaged Extras:

Starring Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore, Jeremy Davies

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Theatrical Release: 1998
Laserdisc Release: 1999
Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Surround 2.0
Widescreen

Although Dreamworks has released Amistad on DVD, there have not been any other major films by Steven Spielberg released in this format. Saving Private Ryan is no exception. Spielberg films such as Always, 1941, and The Color Purple are available from other studios, but titles such as Jaws, Close Encounters, E.T., the Indiana Jones Trilogy, and Schindler’s List are not currently available on DVD, and there are no immediate plans to release them. Although Saving Private Ryan is available for rental on VHS, it will not be available for purchase until November 2. It is currently available for sale only on laserdisc, and it is a gem.

Tom Hanks plays Captain John Miller who must lead his squad of Army Rangers behind enemy lines to locate Private James Ryan (played by Matt Damon) who has been ordered home after his three brothers are killed in action. Accompanying him on the mission are Sergeant Horvath, played by Tom Sizemore, and a wonderful ensemble cast of relatively unknown actors making up the rest of the squad. Although the film is entitled Saving Private Ryan, Damon’s character is relatively minor and does not even make an appearance until the second half of the film. Mostly, Saving Private Ryan is about the absurdity of war and the helplessness that is often felt by all men and women and the families of those who have served their country in times of war.

In addition to being an excellent officer and soldier, Captain Miller is a man with great compassion, humanity, and dignity. Hanks reveals his character’s quiet inner strength as he has done in so many other roles before. The ensemble cast also includes Edward Burns, Jeremy Davies, Adam Goldberg, Vin Diesel, and Giovanni Ribisi. Barry Pepper plays the memorable role of Jackson, a sniper who quotes Bible verses as he vanquishes the enemy.

Saving Private Ryan may be one of the best films of 1998, but it is very difficult to watch and may disturb some viewers. The battle scenes are extremely violent and gory. Although no film can ever come close to the actual experience of being in combat, this film probably comes the closest. There is no glory in battle, no stylized action, and no dramatic music, just relentless numbing violence. The depiction of war in this film is a remarkable technical achievement, but Saving Private Ryan is much more than this. Spielberg has crafted a film that is not only shocking and repulsive, but also thought provoking and ultimately emotionally gratifying.

The picture quality of Saving Private Ryan is problematic. Spielberg has intentionally altered the look of the film to give it a gritty, more realistic feel. Much of the film stock has been over exposed to give it a washed-out look, and what remains is a contrasty, harsh-looking print that is difficult to reproduce on video. Although the original theatrical presentation was very similar, the laserdisc appears a little softer and with slight noise apparent at times. The picture quality varies from scene to scene and even from shot to shot, but often exhibits plenty of detail, solid blacks, and fine rendering of shadows.

The soundtrack of Saving Private Ryan is the best that I have heard -- period. The soundstage extends in all directions, has incredible depth and subtlety, and insanely high SPLs in every channel. Bullets ricochet across the front soundstage, machine-gun fire can be heard in the foreground and background, explosions echo off in the distance while voices emanate from all around you. Dialogue is extremely intelligible even amid the din of a full-scale battle and voices image to the extreme left and right, center, and even half left and half right as they perfectly track the actors on screen. Effective use is made of the stereo surrounds to expand the soundstage to the sides and rear of the listener. The soundtrack of Saving Private Ryan complements the grisly and horrific visuals with remarkable complexity and tremendous detail.

The final battle that takes place in an abandoned village is a study in sound design. The droning of tanks and the creaking of their armor as they draw nearer to Miller and his men is foreboding, and the building suspense is almost unbearable. The echoing of gunfire and explosions off of buildings in the narrow streets create a believable sense of space and depth that heighten the tension and draw the viewer into the film.

Saving Private Ryan is a must-see film. It is a shame that it is currently available for purchase only on laserdisc and not DVD, but it is worth seeking out, especially if you have the ability to play back the Dolby Digital soundtrack. Not only is this film an astonishing technical accomplishment with its realism, stark imagery, and incredible soundtrack, but it also demonstrates Spielberg’s great vision and storytelling ability. Never before has a film been so brutal and grisly, yet so compelling. Long after you have finished watching this film will you remember the faces of the soldiers and think of the families of those who were lost as they receive their letters of condolence from the War Department. As I watched, I sat in disbelief after the intense brutality of the final battle scene, and was overcome by emotion as the camera panned down to Miller’s hand as he speaks words of advice to Ryan.

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