Another of Steven Spielberg's gut-wrenching documents of World War Two.

Private Ryan's three brothers are all killed in action within a few days. Top brass decides that the last Ryan boy (Matt Damon) must be found, rescued and brought home.

An eight-man mission, led by Capt Miller (Hanks) and Sgt Horvath (Tom Sizemore), who have just been through the hell of the D-Day landings, is raised for the task. Naturally, as is common in 'patrol' type films, most of them won't survive.

Winner of the Best Director and Best Cinematography Oscars, plus three other statuettes, the film has some explosive action scenes, very moving moments and a brilliant, if sickeningly graphic account of the Omaha Beach landing.

Outside of its many powerful scenes, however, it's often slow and talky, too much time being given over to the agonisings of the Hanks character.

The film's 170-minute running time does make itself felt but fans of authentic-feeling war films (with strong stomachs) will find much to admire in this one.