Saving Private Ryan

Beginning with the D-Day invasion, perhaps the most famous moment in the history of WWII, the story itself chooses to focus on the rescue of one man. This allows for reflection upon the nature of war on the individual as opposed to the jingoistic flag waving that swamps so many World War II films. To this end, the terror is amplified in several unforgettable sequences, most notably the opening landing scene on the beaches of Normandy. The soldier characters are both heroic and flawed, allowing for a genuine human element that few other war films achieve. The minor details are fantastic too, with historical production design that was lauded for its accuracy by veterans. Moreover, it is they who claim that this is the best war story in cinematic history.