Saving Private Ryan (R, 2007)

common sense media says

Bloody, tragic war epic doesn't hold back.


parents & educators say
  • 48% say language is an issue
  • 48% say violence is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is Steven Spielberg's most violent film, especially in the opening 25-minute D-Day invasion massacres. There's no sugar-coating, no "cartoon violence," no nameless, inconsequential casualties like LucasFilm Imperial Stormtroopers. This is unrestrained, ugly, and dirty combat, meant to make the viewer appreciate the monstrous human cost and tragic sacrifice of the Allied beachhead -- a price mostly paid by young men. Stunned, vengeful U.S. soldiers are seen committing what would be considered atrocities (shooting surrendering Germans, as well as innocent non-Germans who can't speak English). Even though characters are religious -- one prays fervently before killing with his sniper skills -- everyone swears a lot, too. Some "special editions" carry supplementary documentary material, including clips of Steven Spielberg's own 8mm war movies he made as a kid.

Positive messages: Capt. Miller is here a paragon of military discipline and fairness, though he too weeps when a friend is killed. He explains in a key moment that in peacetime life he's a schoolteacher, not a career soldier. Even though they bristle at their mission, the men carry out the assignment, at great personal risk. One shows mercy to a German and comes to grievously regret it. Others shoot defenseless and surrendering enemy without thinking twice. Though the platoon is of mixed backgrounds (Jewish, Christian, Italian-American, Appalachian), all are white, which accurately reflects the racially segregated U.S. forces at the time.
Violence: Graphic, savage battlefield violence, as men are blown up, shot, and dismembered by artillery fire, and bayoneted, beaten, and stabbed in hand-to-hand fighting. Unsparing death comes to sympathetic characters as well as ones we hardly know.
Sex: Dirty jokes and salty stories cracked by members of the platoon.
Language: Lots of F- and S-words, "asshole," God's name in vain (or prayed to before killing), and the profane military acronym F.U.B.A.R. is eventually explained.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Social drinking, smoking.

More on Saving Private Ryan

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the D-Day invasion, and especially the troop makeup of WWII -- a lot of fighting and dying was done by soldiers who were hardly more than boys. The behavior of characters under fire includes cowardice and vicious homicide, unleashed even at surrendering enemy. Do you think those man can be excused for such a breakdown of discipline? What about soldiers in the field today? Was the mission to save Ryan worth the risk after all? What other war movies and documentaries have you seen? Do they seem true to life? How about the coverage you see in the news? Is it balanced? How would you be able to tell?

What's the story?

What's the story?

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN opens with a harrowing, blood-soaked depiction of the WWII Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Countless young men are cut down, turning the ocean red. When the smoke clears from the worst of D-Day, we meet the characters. Capt. Miller (Tom Hanks) gets orders to lead his platoon into a dangerous zone swarming with Germans, to find a low-ranking soldier named James Ryan. Ryan was one of several brothers who went to war, and all the others are now dead. The U.S. top brass believes the Ryan family has suffered enough, and that their remaining son should be brought home safely. While it's a mission of "mercy," it's going to cause the Americans even more danger and death, with no perceptible strategic goal. A prologue and epilogue are set in a present-day cemetery -- with acres and acres of graves to mark the dead. And it pretty much asks the viewer what the soldiers ask themselves: if rescuing one man was worth all this carnage.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The opening D-Day scene is not exploitation, but rather a master filmmaker's true-life recreation of one of the bloodiest battles in human history, to make one appreciate the bravery and the loss. Star director Steven Spielberg, who sought the input of war historians and survivors to make Saving Private Ryan as authentic as possible, tries to show the viewer, after decades of restrained and bloodless Hollywood-backlot war movies, propaganda flag-wavers, and fluffy WWII film musicals, that war is a terrible thing. Even the "good war" to smash the undeniable Axis of Evil that was Germany and Japan.

Expecting younger kids to sit through the horror at the beginning is too much, but the movie isn't all surface gore and sensation. It raises very complex issues of morality and ethics under fire. And often the circumstances are literally under fire, where there's no time for Miller and his squabbling men to think over life and death matters or debate how to do the right thing. Indeed the most well educated and thoughtful American freezes up and has a breakdown in the thick of the fighting.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: DreamWorks
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Barry Pepper, Edward Burns, Giovanni Ribisi, Matt Damon, Tom Hanks
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 170 minutes
Theatrical release: December 11, 2007
DVD release: November 2, 1999
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: intense prolonged realistically graphic sequences of war violence, and for language.

This review was written by Charles Cassady Jr.
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 27 parent & educator reviews:
  • 48% say language is an issue
  • 48% say violence is an issue
  • 41% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say there are positive role models

Most useful reviews by all members

Hennex
teen, 17 years old
 
Amazing movie, great for the mature teen.
It's hard to click the "Too Violent" button, because that seems to me to indicate that unneccesary violence was present, which it was not. This movie is surprising at parts, and very sad, but realistic and true. This movie is full of bloody violence, but if your child is a history buff or is mature enough, they need to watch this. It is violent, but it's such a good movie.

Aprostidy
kid, 13 years old
 
A strongly deserved R rating, far too gory for children under 14
I simply adore this movie, as it is my all time favorite film. The acting is impeccible, the true beauty of this film shone in my face the first time I saw it. A melancholy, tragic war story of a man whom brothers died fighting valiantly in WWII and his mother's greiving caused the military officials to send a small search party to look for Young Private Ryan. An incredibly good story, I loved every minute of it. I felt like I was in the trenches of hell, fighting not only for my life, but courageously serving my country. Though this movie is excellently directed, made, and produced, it is by far the goriest movie I've seen in my life. (It even bypassed the violence of Pan's Labryinth, who'd of thought?) There are a few disturbing, graphic images and wounds involving war that parents should take into careful consideration. -A man is shown bloodied with his instestines strewn about his belly, screaming and slowly succumbing to his wound. -A man's face is shown 'punched' in by something, not too graphic but rather disturbing. -A man slowly drives a knife through another man's heart; blood streams out of the wound as goes deeper into his chest cavity. -A man is shot through the gut with a bullet, he starts bleeding heavily, starts coughing up blood, and shown suffering as his comrades attempt to save him, but eventually he succumbs to his wound. -Several instances of men being ignited on fire, engulfed in flames as they slowly suffer long, horrible fates. -Many men are brutally shot through their foreheads in the battle of Normandy at the beginning. -Multiple other graphic instances of gunning and violence warefare criteria. As foul language is often used in war, there is no shortage of it in this film. Many instances of 'F*ck, C*ck, and D**m. Towards the end a group of soldiers start talking 'dirty' involving sexual themes, nothing to explicit in that scene, but I'd reccommend muting it for about 30 seconds. Overall, this is an INCREDIBLE movie, and I strongly urge people to watch it. However, it has many gory scenes and strong war language to accompany it, so I would have to say people should only be watching this about 16-17+. The only reason I was permitted to watch this is because it's regarding WWII, one of my favorite subjects. - -

 
The Best War Movie of ALL Time. A must see!!!
We watched this in high school, and my God, it was beyond amazing. It is VERY graphic (blood, guts, dismemberment), but it is amazing nonetheless. I was able to handle it as a 14 year old without screaming or crying (is this what parents are afraid of us doing when we see a R rated movie?). Although, I could understand that some teens might be disturbed by the content, but if they want to watch it, let them. It is an amazing emotional WW2 tale. If you want to show your kid an action movie, this should be it. You won't regret it.

CedricDoodlehopper
teen, 15 years old
 
Good movie with excessive (but not unnecessary) violence
This is a good movie. It shows what war is really like. It is, however, very violent. It shows people being shot, stabbed, burned alive, stabbed, beaten, and dismembered, and disemboweled. It also has bad language. There are lots of f-words, lots of swords, and lots of other bad words. It is a good film, however, and shows what war is really about. I think it is a good movie, but that it is too violent for younger kids.

vcrmastar
teen, 16 years old
 
WHY DO PEOPLE SAY THAT IT'S BAD TO BE REALISTIC?!?!
Look, sure, this movie is violent, but it IS a classic, and has many good messages loke teamwork and loyalty. The truth is, sadly, that war is violent. The only way to portray war is with violence. By age 12, kids should be mature enough to accept the profanity, be able to understand the violence, and understand the reality and brutalities of war. This is one of the best movies ever made. It should not be missed. By anyone.

MicahBob
teen, 14 years old
 
good, but very questionable language and vilonce
its one of my favorite movies, but thwy drop the f-bomb so much and the vilonce is alot more that i thought (and i was expecting alot)

dawtpbwv
teen, 17 years old
 
Saving Private Ryan - War is hell
Saving Private Ryan is the best war movie ever made, hands down. The acting is superb from both Tom Hanks and Jeremy Davies. This is a violent and bloody film that doesn't d*ck around about war. War is hell. Language is not too bad. A lot of people say there is, but I guess I missed it because I don't nitpick. It's a war movie of course it had language. The role models differ. Captain Miller (Tome Hanks) doesn't care about Ryan but about the men he loses and tries to save. Be warned: If you are squeamish, don't watch this: The 1st 20 min. are full of bloodshed that made some turn green. The main reason I loved this movie was the message A lot of war movies portray war as a videogame and the good guy always wins. THis is not the case in this film Message: To save a life you lose more than the one you wish to save. You will either cry during this movie during the ending or get p*ssed off. Either way it shows why you should honor the men in WWII

0hMyGlee
teen, 14 years old
 
Violent
it was violent but a good movie :)

Rigbyboy
kid, 10 years old
 
Brilliant movie, brilliant affect's and cool battle's 9 or older.
I watch this and I'm 9, but I don't care about blood or gore, it has some bad language and no sex. Highly recommend this movie

Ghinzu
teen, 14 years old
 
Depend on Maturity, a Definete Yes or a Definite No
I absolutely love this film. The story and characters are unique, the madness of war is portrayed AS war, and not as something you would see in a video game. Emotional, small touches of dark humor, and the realistically portrayed violence make the movie a unique experience to be had. The violence? Extensive. I consider myself rather mature for my age, and I was able to handle it and understand why it is portrayed so graphically in the film, yet I totally understand why some may definitely not show it to their children. If your child can handle it, violence is not an issue. It actually adds to the whole experience when you think about it. Language is another thing, you know, a lot of f*cks and s*its, but it's not like it happens every five seconds. Mature teens will be able to understand it. Younger kids may giggle a bit. I wouldn't recommend this movie for small children. It's frightening, and unless you understand why the violence is there, it really is just unsettling, The first 20 minutes of the film is the most intense moment in any film I have ever seen. The characters are not heartless killers (for example, the guy shooting innocents on the helicopter machine gun in Full Metal Jacket) and there are some good messages in the film; War is Never Good; But There Can Be Good In Why Wars Are Fought.

laxboy5
kid, 10 years old
 
It wont come back and haunt you
very bloody with scenes of people spewing blood but its war thats what happens you know. What helped me is thinking that you know its over it wont kill you, overall maturity yes or no. Quite a bit of swearing though, its classic what do you think?

hagrid21
kid, 13 years old
 
I have been wanting to watch this movie forever, and finally dad let me. The beginning and ending scenes are extremely violent and disturbing. One memorable image is half a man is screaming in agony on Normandy Beach with his intestines spilling out onto the bloody sand. Lots of blood spurting, SPOILER!!!! Main characters die. Lots of them. Some bad language, too, but ya know, it's a war movie.

Brendan Conway
teen, 17 years old
 
Considered to be one of the best movies on World War II

Ajaytech
teen, 13 years old
 
Good but needs responsibility
Excellent,wonderful movie. As for everyone saying its gory and not for children, its WAR. I would recommend this movie to kids 12 and up ( assuming they're mature). Again, war is graphic,bloody,sad and depressing but your children need to know the sarcrifices paid to their now safe lives. 3 scenes are very. VERY SAD and left me in an emotional state for a while so if you have any easily depressed kids, don't let them watch this. Overall, WONDERFUL movie with awesome acting and portrayal of omaha beach, all around GREAT movie!

Teenspointofveiw
teen, 16 years old
 
A great movie for mature teens. I was all rush into it to join the military without hesitation. I was showed this movie along with about thirty other teens (with parental permission) and it really gave me an insight to what war really is now i'm more skeptical about joining up. Remember there is no restart button in real life.

 
Mature kids can handle this movie
While this movie is gruesome and violent, we never feel that we need to shelter our children from real events. My step son is a mature 11 year old who has ambitions to enter the military and he loved this movie. We explained to him the importance and reality of WWII. He is aware that adults use language that is innappropriate for children and we have been able to trust him to not use that language.

D-Fresh
adult
 
Obviously not a kids movie
Not all violence is bad. I have several relatives who fought in WWII, and their biggest worry in high school was that they wouldn't medically/physically qualify for one of the armed services. I think the willing and selfless sacrifice of that generation might be a little more relevant topic of discussion for a family than "Do you think those man [sic] can be excused for such a breakdown of discipline?"

dean98
teen, 13 years old
 
Bloody war movie is excellent but very violent
This is my all time favorite war movie. Parents should just be concerned on the amount of violence. The worst scene is in the beginning where it shows a 20 minute clip of D-Day. There is some strong, coarse language including the F words. When characters are shot blood is spewn. It is incredibely realistic. I saw it at the age of 12 and was shocked to see boat loads of blood. It has strong characters and a moral message. The movie is absolutely magnificent. 5 stars!!

Tbadman
adult
 
Masterpiece of the war genre,recommended for mature audiences
A very violent war film that is perfectly done thanks to an excellent script,great performances and really good film making all around. It tells an emotionally charged story of a squad of soldiers that have to rescue a man they have never met and really dont care about,thus they question their mission. This is a great metaphor and this theme of fighting for someone you have never met is dwelled on constantly. The film is really about soldiers who fight and die for our freedom despite the fact that they dont know anything about us. This is a war film and as such it is extremely violent,disturbing and hardcore,too disturbing and graphic for family members under 16,maybe 17.But this violence does serve a purpose,it deglorifies war and shows it in a very realistic,open minded manner. The greatest war film ever made in my opinion

uhya
teen, 13 years old
 
tropic thunder makes fun of this. i love both movies
unless your child is scared of violence, your average teen could handle this great movie. fubar is never explained

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