This is a special feature found on the DVD(please don't ask which one, I... can't tell from the cover) for Saving Private Ryan, and it's not really about the title in question at all, but rather the soldiers on the American side in the second World War. That should be noted by anyone considering watching this(well, it's less than half an hour, it's not *that* much time spent even if you don't care about it). It's not too bad paced. It's got considerably more non-Hollywood, "real" people interviewed, and time spent on such, than the actors and film-folk, and has several recollections from those who were actually there, their families/relatives and the like. It's about 25 minutes long. Spielberg does say a thing or two about his childhood and inspirations. In addition to the talking, there is also footage from documentaries shot at the locations during the conflict. It's all edited fine. The actors do say a thing or two, some of them. This is the only viewable extra on the DVD I have, apart from two trailers. Whether you're looking for, or trying to avoid, this, you may want to keep the title of this in mind when you look at the back of the DVD cover of any prospective purchase of... said item. I recommend this to those who want authentic tales from WWII. 7/10
8 Reviews
Very good special short about D-Day, families in war and Stephen Spielberg
SimonJack24 April 2022
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."
A Good WW2 Movie, But Not A Great One
Alex69129 June 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The first time I watched Saving Private Ryan, I was astounded. The effects were amazing, the story engrossing and the Omaha beach scene is one of the best combat scenes in cinematic history.
But as my education about WW2 increased, I began to take a different attitude.
My grandfather is a Korean war veteran who's brother served in WW2. He told me that he hated Saving Private Ryan. When I asked why, he said "It's totally unrealistic, those soldiers would have never gone through with that assignment. They would have faked Ryans death or, if they had no other options, kill their commanding officer. Nobody who went to that war was stupid enough to follow a suicidal order through when there wouldn't be command watching them."
I thought about this for awhile. Then I watched the miniseries Band of Brothers and read the book it was based on. I consider Band Of Brothers to be the greatest war movie (Even though it is a mini-series) of all time. It was astoundingly realistic, and at the beginning of each episode, they interviewed the actual people that were represented by actors in the series. They talked about losing friends, faith and hope. It just felt more REAL than Saving Private Ryan. I began to realize that almost no non-coms and only a few officers really believed in fighting for their country. Most were just looking for work after the depression, others were drafted and a few just wanted to avenge the death of European family members.
In Saving Private Ryan, the soldiers assigned to rescue Ryan hate the assignment but accept it because they are expected to do so. Fine. But their commander goes through with the mission with the same reasoning. Problem. In Band Of Brothers, near the end of the war, Maj. Dick Winters (The C.O.) is told that he needs to send a team of men across a river to retrieve German POWs. During the mission, a man is killed. Dick Winters learns after the mission is completed that the command expect him to do it again. Instead he tells his men to sleep instead, because he isn't willing to throw them away on a pointless mission. That's realistic.
Good, but not great.
But as my education about WW2 increased, I began to take a different attitude.
My grandfather is a Korean war veteran who's brother served in WW2. He told me that he hated Saving Private Ryan. When I asked why, he said "It's totally unrealistic, those soldiers would have never gone through with that assignment. They would have faked Ryans death or, if they had no other options, kill their commanding officer. Nobody who went to that war was stupid enough to follow a suicidal order through when there wouldn't be command watching them."
I thought about this for awhile. Then I watched the miniseries Band of Brothers and read the book it was based on. I consider Band Of Brothers to be the greatest war movie (Even though it is a mini-series) of all time. It was astoundingly realistic, and at the beginning of each episode, they interviewed the actual people that were represented by actors in the series. They talked about losing friends, faith and hope. It just felt more REAL than Saving Private Ryan. I began to realize that almost no non-coms and only a few officers really believed in fighting for their country. Most were just looking for work after the depression, others were drafted and a few just wanted to avenge the death of European family members.
In Saving Private Ryan, the soldiers assigned to rescue Ryan hate the assignment but accept it because they are expected to do so. Fine. But their commander goes through with the mission with the same reasoning. Problem. In Band Of Brothers, near the end of the war, Maj. Dick Winters (The C.O.) is told that he needs to send a team of men across a river to retrieve German POWs. During the mission, a man is killed. Dick Winters learns after the mission is completed that the command expect him to do it again. Instead he tells his men to sleep instead, because he isn't willing to throw them away on a pointless mission. That's realistic.
Good, but not great.
A Moving Tribute To The WWII Soldiers
ccthemovieman-11 August 2007
"D-Day was THE pivot point of the 20th century," says Stephen Ambrose, historian, talking on this bonus feature on the DVD "Saving Private Ryan."
This was a very inspiring "documentary" and the interesting part of it, to me, was hearing the various comments from veterans of this incredible experience. "The fear was incredible," said one honest man.
In the beginning of the movie, it shows guys embarking off those boats that landed on the beaches and were met with unbelievable gunfire. Well, one man in here says he thinks in some of the boats, all those guys were hit "with a wall of steel" and didn't even make it off the boat." That's almost too horrific to contemplate. Hearing those veterans speak of D-Day is very dramatic.
It also was interesting to see "Steve" Spielberg's first homemade movies, ones he made at 13 and 14 years of age that were all war movies. His father helped him a bit and inspired him in this vein, so the famous movie-maker has always been "obsessed," he says, with World War II. "At least half of my films have dealt with the 1930s and 1940s," he commented.
The actors actually went through a vigorous training camp to prepare for this movie and they were battle-ready by the first day of shooting. Edward Burns said "making this film was the worst experience of my life," giving you an idea how tough making this film turned out to be.
Everyone in here, from the vets to Spielberg to the actors all have nothing but respect and admiration for the sacrifice those men made over 60 years ago. This turns out to be a wonderful tribute to these men.
This was a very inspiring "documentary" and the interesting part of it, to me, was hearing the various comments from veterans of this incredible experience. "The fear was incredible," said one honest man.
In the beginning of the movie, it shows guys embarking off those boats that landed on the beaches and were met with unbelievable gunfire. Well, one man in here says he thinks in some of the boats, all those guys were hit "with a wall of steel" and didn't even make it off the boat." That's almost too horrific to contemplate. Hearing those veterans speak of D-Day is very dramatic.
It also was interesting to see "Steve" Spielberg's first homemade movies, ones he made at 13 and 14 years of age that were all war movies. His father helped him a bit and inspired him in this vein, so the famous movie-maker has always been "obsessed," he says, with World War II. "At least half of my films have dealt with the 1930s and 1940s," he commented.
The actors actually went through a vigorous training camp to prepare for this movie and they were battle-ready by the first day of shooting. Edward Burns said "making this film was the worst experience of my life," giving you an idea how tough making this film turned out to be.
Everyone in here, from the vets to Spielberg to the actors all have nothing but respect and admiration for the sacrifice those men made over 60 years ago. This turns out to be a wonderful tribute to these men.
Not intended to be a "behind the scenes" piece.
jimoutcold27 January 2005
It is my understanding that this DVD special feature was never intended to be a "behind the scenes" piece. Rather, it was produced for HBO's "First Look" and is primarily a series of interviews with soldiers who were actually there, with several of the cast members, and with Director Steven Spielberg. It is actually more insightful than most "behind the scenes" pieces I have seen and was originally a wonderful prelude to the film. Especially interesting are the interview segments with author and historian Steven Ambrose whose take on the dedication of the film's makers to create, not only a wonderfully rich story but an opening sequence that sets the standard for filmmakers who attempt to duplicate the true terror of war. In my opinion it is a valuable addition to the DVD release.
A must see for all 'Saving Private Ryan' admirers.
Marty G McFly17 May 2001
I was flipping through some channels last night, when i bumped into this short documentary on 'Saving Private Ryan'. Basically, if you loved the film and you want to learn more about some of the special effects secrets then see this. Plus all the cast and not to mention, Steven Spielberg himself, give some of their own comments as well. I give this documentary and the film itself 10 out of 10!
~Michael Dixon~
~Michael Dixon~
Waste of time
Gat Spier16 August 2001
Actually this documentary is quite uninteresting... It claims to be some sort of "behind-the-scenes" for Saving Private Ryan, but in fact, it's more like promo-talk for the movie. The only this being explained here is "how good the movie is made" and how it actually felt like being there during the war.
If you buy the DVD, this comes on a second disk, and i think it's a total waste of plastic making a second disk for this docu.
If you buy the DVD, this comes on a second disk, and i think it's a total waste of plastic making a second disk for this docu.
A film that must be missed.
jbanks7114 October 2004
This is one of the few movies I have ever hated.
The plot was contrived. Tom Hanks was flat. Matt Damon was immature and unconvincing.
Spielberg tried to make the landing scene arty, and even perhaps beautiful. It's too bad he didn't spend some time with the veterans who were actually there on D-Day. Maybe then he would have learned how horrible it was.
This film had all the earmarks of a professional draft dodger striving for redemption.
Feeling somewhat generous, I give Private Ryan a 2.
The plot was contrived. Tom Hanks was flat. Matt Damon was immature and unconvincing.
Spielberg tried to make the landing scene arty, and even perhaps beautiful. It's too bad he didn't spend some time with the veterans who were actually there on D-Day. Maybe then he would have learned how horrible it was.
This film had all the earmarks of a professional draft dodger striving for redemption.
Feeling somewhat generous, I give Private Ryan a 2.
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