Steve: "philosophical musings about God and nature and the insanity of war." about sums it right. The best thing is that the movie actually DOESNT talk about "god" as a religious issue but rather "creation" or the "reason for being on earth".
Only the battle scenes of SPR were of any worth. Yes, the D-day part at the start (plus the old guy and the grave scene) were incredible.. but they aint part of the main plot. Ive seen better ww2 story-telling in the old fliks of the TWILIGHT ZONE and COMBAT than that of SPR.
"SPR was some of the best cinematography and use of sound I have ever seen or experienced in any movie"
Thats the equivalent of great graphics and great sound on a pc game. Unfortunately, GAMEPLAY is what makes a game great. Remember OUTPOST vs CIVILIZATION (EGA) ?

Its a matter of opinions anyway, for me SPR was just another hollywood movie made for the enjoyment of the short-attention span masses. You have to see TRLine 3 times to really get it.
Sort of like Stephen King vs Frank Herbert deal hehe.
"There is a movie about Czech pilots in the RAF called "Dark Blue World"
DOH! Thats the one. my bad.