In 1998, three of the five films nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award were films that dealt with World War Two from three very unique perspectives. Though none of the three would win the Best Picture Oscar, they would all provide differing looks at different aspects of the conflict.
Steven Spielberg’s World War Two drama Saving Private Ryan was an instant critical and box office success upon its release. It was the latest in a line of films where Spielberg uses the war as a setting- from the comedy 1941 to the Academy Award-winning Schindler’s List.
But is the film the most accurate depiction of the Invasion of Normandy that many have said it is? Or is it just Spielberg unable to stray too far from his pulp-ish impulses that propelled his Raiders Of The Lost Ark? Michael McGonigle examines the film and the critical hype surrounding it.
