Army Historian Snubs ‘Saving Private Ryan’ from List of Most Realistic War Films

Many people believe that "Saving Private Ryan" is one of the most realistic war movies ever made, but Dave Hogan, a retired Army historian, is not of the same opinion.

Hogan, who spent 37 years working at the United States Army Center for Military History, lauded the movie's D-Day invasion sequence but referred to the rest of the film as a "typical World War II movie."

With the United States Army getting ready to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Hogan has prepared a list of the Hollywood combat films that are the most authentic. Instead of focusing on spectacle, his top five choices prioritize realism:

The film Black Hawk Down (2001) depicts the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in a manner that is true to the urban battle experience. Hogan lauded the way it portrayed feelings of alienation, disorientation, and threats that were not seen in modern conflict.

The 2014 film Fury is about tank fighting during World War II. It demonstrates how American tank operators, who were outgunned, adapted to the better German armor. David Ayer, a professional director, made certain that the film was historically accurate.

'From Here to Eternity' was released in 1953. The film, which takes place in Hawaii before the attack on Pearl Harbor, depicts military life, sports culture, and internal disputes of the pre-World War II Army.

In 2003, the film Cold Mountain was one of the most severe and realistic images of a Civil War battle that has ever been filmed. The action takes place during the Battle of the Crater.

"The Thin Red Line" (1998) is more realistic as opposed to "Saving Private Ryan," the psychological intensity of the picture and the presence of enemy combatants who were not seen during the Battle of Guadalcanal struck a chord with Hogan more than the latter.

Although Spielberg's film continues to be a fan favorite, Hogan's stringent standards prompted him to rate these films as the most realistic depictions of Army battles throughout history.

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