This is an unusual type of special video made in connection with the release of a feature film. "Into the Breach: 'Saving Private Ryan' is 25-minute short documentary that combines two subjects. It is quite different from the typical "behind the scenes" short that tells about and shows scenes of cast and crew in the production of a film. Rather, this film features commentary about D-Day, the Allied landings in Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, that sped the Allied victory over Germany and the end of World War II. And, a second part is a short biography with some family photos and film clips about Steven Spielberg since his interest in films at a young age. The video copyright is held by Dreamworks.
The D-Day portion is a testimonial to the young men who took part, especially those who gave their lives. It includes short interview clips with some surviving veterans of D-Day - all well into their 70s in 1998. Spielberg also comments on the significance of D-Day and American author and historian Stephen Ambrose comments on the human sacrifice. Ambrose wrote three compelling books about American soldiers in WW II that largely influenced the making of "Saving Private Ryan," and that led to a blockbuster TV mini-series in 2001, "Band of Brothers."
The first Ambrose book was "Band of Brothers" in 1992, written in connection with work for the National D-Day Museum in New Orleans. It's a story about the paratroopers from D-Day until the war's end. It was based on interviews with former members of E Company, 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment that was then part of the 101st Airborne Division. Ambrose's second book was "D-Day, June 6, 1944," published in 1994; and his third book was "Citizen Soldiers" of 1997.
The second aspect of this video short is an interesting look at Spielberg's youth since his interest in filmmaking. There's no doubt he was to enter the field and make his mark. I appreciated seeing and hearing the little background provided by Arnold Spielberg, the filmmaker's dad.
Beyond the Ambrose books, there is another story that greatly influenced Spielberg in making this film. That was the real story about the Niland brothers, four American brothers from Tonawanda, New York, who served in different branches of the service during WW II. One was an Army Air Corps pilot who was captured when his plane went down in Burma. Although first listed as missing in action, he survived the war in a Japanese POW camp. The other three took part in D-Day. One was an infantry platoon leader of the Fourth Infantry Division who was killed on Utah Beach. The other two were paratroopers, one in the 82nd Airborne Division who was killed and the other who survived as a member of the 101st Airborne Division.
Of D-Day and the Normandy landings, author Ambrose says, "it was the turning point of the 20th century." He says, "This was a battel form which there was no retreat. There was no way to go back. So, you either stayed there and got killed or you did something about it."
The D-Day portion is a testimonial to the young men who took part, especially those who gave their lives. It includes short interview clips with some surviving veterans of D-Day - all well into their 70s in 1998. Spielberg also comments on the significance of D-Day and American author and historian Stephen Ambrose comments on the human sacrifice. Ambrose wrote three compelling books about American soldiers in WW II that largely influenced the making of "Saving Private Ryan," and that led to a blockbuster TV mini-series in 2001, "Band of Brothers."
The first Ambrose book was "Band of Brothers" in 1992, written in connection with work for the National D-Day Museum in New Orleans. It's a story about the paratroopers from D-Day until the war's end. It was based on interviews with former members of E Company, 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment that was then part of the 101st Airborne Division. Ambrose's second book was "D-Day, June 6, 1944," published in 1994; and his third book was "Citizen Soldiers" of 1997.
The second aspect of this video short is an interesting look at Spielberg's youth since his interest in filmmaking. There's no doubt he was to enter the field and make his mark. I appreciated seeing and hearing the little background provided by Arnold Spielberg, the filmmaker's dad.
Beyond the Ambrose books, there is another story that greatly influenced Spielberg in making this film. That was the real story about the Niland brothers, four American brothers from Tonawanda, New York, who served in different branches of the service during WW II. One was an Army Air Corps pilot who was captured when his plane went down in Burma. Although first listed as missing in action, he survived the war in a Japanese POW camp. The other three took part in D-Day. One was an infantry platoon leader of the Fourth Infantry Division who was killed on Utah Beach. The other two were paratroopers, one in the 82nd Airborne Division who was killed and the other who survived as a member of the 101st Airborne Division.
Of D-Day and the Normandy landings, author Ambrose says, "it was the turning point of the 20th century." He says, "This was a battel form which there was no retreat. There was no way to go back. So, you either stayed there and got killed or you did something about it."