The Story Behind Saving Private Ryans Epic Omaha Beach Scene

[steve2470]

http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2015/06/13/behind_saving_private_ryan_s_opening_scene_art_of_the_scene_unpacks_spielberg.html

Steven Spielberg is often accused of being too sentimental, but that notion is pretty much obliterated by Saving Private Ryan’s opening scene, a half-hour crucible in which we witness Allied soldiers storm Omaha beach on D-Day. Spielberg cedes little of the screen to acts of heroism or bravery, instead submitting viewers to an uncomfortably realistic barrage of bodies falling, drowning, blowing up, or otherwise being torn apart. It’s perhaps the most lauded scene of his career, and the latest installment of CineFix’s “Art of the Scene” series supplies some key insights as to how the director and his crew crafted such an epic set piece.

Maybe the biggest takeaway here: Spielberg didn’t storyboard the scene. That’s out of character for the director, and especially peculiar given how intricate the sequence is, but it also explains much of what makes it so good: The improvisational method allowed Spielberg to find the shots that most accurately evoked the brutality of war.

[underpants]

1. I'll never forget seeing that in the theater

Having been in the Army had nothing to do with my questioning IF I could do that. They had no choice I know but ....

The preacher who married us was a Chaplain there that day.

[Aristus]

2. One of the things the film portrayed very well was the agonizing delay in

getting off the beach.

In his book on D-Day, Stephen Ambrose quotes a veteran who was there that day. The veteran said "You know how in the movie 'The Longest Day', the soldiers dash down the ramps of the landing craft and go charging up the beach? That was ridiculous! I was in that water for half an hour!"

[TheBlackAdder]

3. Saving Private Ryan gave my ex's Bronze Star awarded aunt bad flashbacks. The only movie to do it.

[redwitch]

4. That scene is devastating.

As is the last scene: "Tell me I'm a good man."

The entire theater was weeping.