HE DIRECTED the blockbusting movie which captured the full horror of war on the Normandy beaches.

Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan was his own moving tribute to those D-Day heroes which filled cinemas around the globe.

Now a tribute from a group of Hampshire schoolchildren who made their own pilgrimage to the Normandy beaches has touched the heart of the legendary film-maker.

Eastleigh's Crestwood Community School pupils were so moved by their trip to the D-Day coastline that they penned poems reflecting on the ultimate sacrifice that took place on those blood-stained Normandy beaches.

They were despatched to the famous film-maker at his Dreamworks Film Studio headquarters at Universal City, California.

Along with the anthology was a miniature version of the Normandy memorial cross, containing sand from the beaches, designed and created by the Crestwood pupils.

Head of English Andrew Snow and his Year 9 pupils received a special letter of thanks from Spielberg after he received the Crestwood's remembrance package.

Studio spokesperson Kris Kelly wrote: "We are sorry that Steven himself is unable to personally answer all his correspondence, especially one as emotionally-charged and worthy as this one.

"But on Steven's behalf we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the honour you gave to us in allowing us to review your wonderful poems, essays and artwork from your memorial project.

"Steven is proud indeed that you felt such strong desire and worked so hard to venerate those who gave their lives in sacrifice on those beaches.

"Just as Steven strived to honour those forgotten heroes with his film so do your words and images pay as noble a tribute to the fallen men."

The letter added: "This project signifies all that is best about your generation, indeed your school and each of you personally - a reverence for the past combined with a respect for yourselves and hope for the future."

Mr Snow described the reply from Spielberg as a terrific response and said: "The whole project has taken about a year and I am very pleased for the pupils concerned."

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