I have studied ww2 by myself for 4 years know. (Since in history class all we ever learn about are the colonial times year after year) and before i watched "Saving privite Ryan" I new more about ww2 than any kid in my school.My point is is that when spielberg said his movie was the most realistic than any history movie at that time he mean that it showed the horror and death of a battle than any movie about ww2 before it. "Saving Privite Ryan" was meant to show to younger people (by the way im only 15 years old) the sacrifice and struggle to keep the world as a democracy. "The Longest Day" however realistic in its battles and situations was not very realistic when it came to combate. Example Evil german soldier tries to drown pretty french girl when Good allied soldier kills evil german and saves the gire. Many ww2 movies made in the 50's and 60's gave everyone the idea that ww2 was easly won and that the germans were stupid and one american could kill 50 german soldiers and still have time for a smoke. Saving private ryan changed all that by showing us that ww2 was not an easy victory and that we paid alot in blood for world freedom.