In 1998, twowarmovies hit the big screen just five months apart from each other, and miraculously, they ended up beingtwo of the greatest war movies of all time.War movies have been around as long as movies have. The genre may seem like a niche, but it is actually a major component in the world of movies.Movies about war shed light on true storiesfrom human history, but they also bring up questions of morality, justice, and bravery. Furthermore, war movies can be as groundbreaking as any other drama film.
There have been some truly outstanding war movies released in the last 25 years. Movies likeDunkirkand1917stand out because they manage to tell an important story while also providing incredible visualsthat make the viewer feel steeped in the trenches. There are alsonon-violent war movieslikeOppenheimer,which explore the cause and effect of weapons in war. However, two of the best war movies of all time are the two that were released in 1998. These star-studded epics successfully showcase the human condition in a place where humanity is a hard thing to hold onto.
Saving Private Ryan & The Thin Red Line Both Released In 1998
What Saving Private Ryan & The Thin Red Line Are About
In July 1998, theSteven Spielberg war drama,Saving Private Ryan,premiered in theaters.The movie stars Tom Hanks as Captain John Miller, who leads a squadron of men behind enemy linesduring World War II in order to find a soldier named Private James Francis Ryan, played by Matt Damon. Ryan’s three brothers were killed in action, and thus, the army wants to send him home.
As the men trek through wartorn France, each soldier comes to terms with his own thoughts and feelings about the war and his own part to play in it. Just five months later, in December 1998, another war movie came to the big screen:The Thin Red Line.This movie follows Private Witt, who flees the armyto live among the locals on a South Pacific island during World War II.
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However, Witt is quickly found by his commanding officer and forced back into service. From there, Witt and his peers prepare for a massive campaign against the Japanese. In the same vein, they consider their own feelings about this life-or-death situation, with each man having a different way of coping with the impact of war.
Saving Private Ryan & The Thin Red Line Are Two All-Time Great War Movies
What Makes Saving Private Ryan & The Thin Red Line So Great
Since their 1998 releases,Saving Private RyanandThe Thin Red Linehave been lauded as two of thebest war movies ever. First and foremost,Saving Private Ryanwas a success both at the box office and among critics.On a budget of $65 to 70 million, the movie grossed $482 million at the box office. Furthermore, the movie earned 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics applauding the movie for its intense opening sequence and violent vividness.
Ultimately,Saving Private Ryanwon a Golden Globe for Best Drama and an Academy Award for Best Director, among other things.The Thin Red Linehas a somewhat similar story.The movie didn’t gross nearly as much asSaving Private Ryan, but with a budget of $52 million, it earned a fine $98 million at the box office. Its critical reaction was also a bit lower,with an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Many felt thatSaving Private Ryanshould have won the Academy Award for Best Picture, which ultimately went toShakespeare In Love.A 2015 poll of the Academy revealed that many would change their vote (viaThe Hollywood Reporter.)
However, that does not diminish the great things critics had to say about the movie.The Thin Red Linehas been praised for its unflinchingportrayal of war stripping away mens' innocence, and also, its more contemplative moments, which leave viewers questioning their own feelings about war.
Saving Private Ryan Was A Bigger Success Than The Thin Red Line
The Thin Red Line Deserves As Much Praise As Saving Private Ryan
BothSaving Private RyanandThe Thin Red Lineare incredible war movies, but the former did better than the latter.Saving Private Ryanearned more money, more praise, and more accolades. The reasons for this aren’t entirely clear. Both movies showcase amazing casts and both delve into important stories that bring up similar themes.
By both premiering in 1998,Saving Private RyanandThe Thin Red Linewere forced to be compared to one another.
Saving Private Ryanwas directed by Steven Spielberg, butThe Thin Red LinewasTerrence Malick’s first moviein 20 years.For all intents and purposes, these films should have received the same amount of praise.Ultimately, the differences between the two war films may simply come down to the year they were released. By both premiering in 1998,Saving Private RyanandThe Thin Red Linewere forced to be compared to one another.
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Additionally, by coming out first,Saving Private Ryanmay have had a leg up over the competition. Audiences already saw their new favorite war movie, andThe Thin Red Lineperhaps just came a bit late. Regardless,The Thin Red Linedeserves just as much appreciation asSaving Private Ryan.Warmovie buffs must check out both of these 1998 classics.
Saving Private Ryan
Cast
Saving Private Ryan: Directed by Steven Spielberg, this World War II drama follows Captain John Miller, portrayed by Tom Hanks, as he leads a group of U.S. soldiers on a mission to rescue Private James Ryan, the sole surviving brother of four, from behind enemy lines in German-occupied France.
The Thin Red Line
The Thin Red Line is a war film directed by Terrence Malick, based on James Jones' autobiographical novel. Released in 1998, it focuses on the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II, exploring the psychological toll of combat on soldiers. The ensemble cast includes Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, and Nick Nolte, among others, and delves into themes of survival, fear, and the impact of war on human nature.
