SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998) | FIRST TIME WATCHING | MOVIE REACTION 

My grandfather served in France in 1944. Which is significant for an African American in WWII. My father's father served stateside in the Navy. His father enlisted in the Army and also served in WWI. We need to keep these stories alive.

My dad's brother died in WWII and is buried in the American Military Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. The families who live there adopt all the graves to take care of them, and they pass down the responsibility to their children and grandchildren . They keep photos of "their" soldier in their home and decorate their graves for all the holidays--as much or even more than what you see here in the USA. They are just so grateful to those who lost their lives so they could be free. 💔

The scene with the mother getting the letters is so moving that no words need to be spoken one of the best scenes ever put on film.

I once, asked a WWII Vet about this movie (who fought at Omaha Beach and Battle of the Bulge). He paused for a few seconds then gave me a stern look and said: "It wasn't bloody enough." I still remember the chills going down my spine!

The last scene of this movie, when Ryan talks to his wife, makes me tear up every time. It's one of the most powerful scenes in cinematic history ever.

When I saw this in the theater, before the movie started they had a veteran that had been on the beach that day and he told his story. They had World War II tanks and ambulances outside the theater. It was such a moving experience. That is why they are called the greatest generation.

The Reason Pvt. Reiban tapped his magazine against his helmet before loading his B.A.R. (Browning Automatic Rifle) was so the cartridges get knocked to the rear of the magazine putting them in the proper position to be fed into The Chamber without jamming.

This needs to be shown in all high school history classes in this country. The sacrifice this generation gave needs to be understood and appreciated

The sniper was Barry Pepper, one of the guards in the green mile. There are so many talents in this movie. This movie was so well done in portraying the atrocities of War. It gives you a sinking feeling, but also makes you appreciate our men and women in the military that much more. And they deserve to be held in the highest regard. We thank you all for your service.

As a combat infantry veteran, this movie has always hit hard. It’s as close as civilians can get to seeing real combat. It has always made me so grateful for those who have went before me. We all sleep under the blanket of freedom that those brave souls have provided. Never forget.

Another note: You had voiced a question about the balloons above the invasion beach. These are what were called "barrage balloons." They're tethered balloons used to prevent against attacks by low flying aircraft. Also, each balloon was usually anchored by a number of steel cables so that even if a plane tried to fly underneath them, the plane would hit the cables and crash.

I remember coming out of the theater when this movie came out and seeing a couple WW2 veterans come out with tears in thier eyes. Even though so many years had passed, they still carried the pain of what they experienced. I'm a (cold war) veteran myself and when I went to Arlington national cemetery it was an emotional experience for me looking over the acres and acres of white tombstones at all the people that died for this country.

When I was a teen, I gave my grandfather (a WWII vet) a Thank You For Your Service card. After looking at it, all he said was - in a quiet voice - "No one ever thanked me before." Our vets deserve our best and every good thing this country can provide for them. I guarantee, there's no way anyone came back from war without PTSD. :(

My Father in law was a prisoner of war for three years in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. He helped to build the bridge over the river Kwai. He eventually escaped and had to swim through shark-infested waters during the escape with his close friend. His buddy never made it. He went on to have 5 children, one of whom I've been married to for 34 years. A big thank you to all our vets and the brave men from Canada, America, and the U.K who landed on Normandy that fateful day and turned the tide of war.

I watched this in the theater. The opening scene commands respect for those young soldiers and their sacrifice. You cannot imagine or fathom the terror that they endured during this assault without watching this. I've been in combat in my military career, but nothing on this scale. Much love... much respect to that generation.

My great-grandfather was German, but he renounced his citizenship when the war broke out. After the war, the family visited Berlin as part of a European trip. The city was torn to pieces, there was no hot water, food was scarce and you needed your passport with you at all times. It goes to show how the horrors of war don't end when the war ends, it takes a lot to build everything back up including the human spirit.

Today my son celebrated his first Veterans Day as a Marine Corps. veteran. I’m so grateful that I have him home and he’s safe. Thank you to all that serve! 🇺🇸

This movie was so realistic that it was reportedly very very hard for veterans to watch. I love how they started with the D-day landing and just threw the audience right into it. Relentlessly. Really gave the viewer a whole new perspective on how traumatic war is & how terribly inhumane. You guys should watch Born on the Fourth of July next because it deals with what happens when these guys come home. I can’t even imagine what our veterans go through trying to live with what they were made to do. Like you said, most of us have never had to really think about what war is like & how costly our freedoms really are.

My grandfather enlisted near the end of the war. He landed in France sometime after D-Day and was captured in September of 1944 by the Germans after being wounded and falling into a foxhole. He spent the remainder of the war in a prison camp (Stalag III-C in what is now western Poland) and was liberated in January of 1945. Unfortunately he died before I was born but I’ve read some of the documents about his capture from the government as well as telegraphs he sent and an article that was written about him once he was liberated. This movie is so well done, I watch it every Veterans Day.

This movie single-handedly changed the way war films were made. Everyone who saw this movie in the theaters when it first came out was absolutely blown away by its level of realism. We were all stunned and in awe of the production. The most shocking thing of all was when this movie failed to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. No one in their right mind thought Shakespeare in Love was better than Saving Private Ryan.

The theater was silent during this opening sequence. Some men left. One gentleman next to us was weeping. I just tried to breathe. I don’t watch this often. War is hell. In that , hell is very real. Complete respect to all Veterans.

The last scene makes me cry every time. "Am I a good man?" The first and final scene is filmed in a American cemetery in France. It overlooks Omaha Beach where all those soldiers were killed. Those men who tried to surrender and were shot. ("Look, I just washed my hand for supper!") Except they weren’t speaking German, they were speaking Czech, pleading: “Please don’t shoot me! I am not German, I am Czech, I didn’t kill anyone! I am Czech!" "FUBAR" is an acronym for "F**cked Up Beyond All Repair"

The thing about Upham that people miss is the tragedy of his character. Everybody cheered when he shot the German soldier that he originally saved from earlier in the movie, but that was the tragedy. Upham went through the entire movie as the one character that kept his humanity, until the very end when he lost it. Compassion, forgiveness, everything that made Upham left him when he pulled the trigger. That shows how war is hell.

"Is that the dad from Malcom in the Middle? I used to love that show" yeah most reactors recognize him from Breaking Bad

The cemetery the start and end of the movie is in France, in Normandy at Colleville, literally just yards from Omaha Beach. It is the principal US cemetery in Normandy, and holds over 9800 fallen soldiers who lost their lives during the battle for Normandy in 1944. I've visited it several times, and also the German cemetery at La Cambe, as well as several British ones, at Ranville, Bayeux and Jerusalem, which is one of the smallest British cemeteries and holds just 47 graves, including the grave of Pte Jackie Banks, who was the youngest British soldier be killed in Normandy, and who was aged just 16. The cemeteries are all very different in character, and style, but they are all immaculately cared for and maintained by the French people. They are beautiful, peaceful places, quiet, tranquil grounds where the fallen soldiers, whatever their nationality, rest in peace.

The American Sniper is played by Barry Pepper…who played Dean, the young prison guard in “Green Mile”…superb in both roles.

Most people know by now but just in case.. This was supposed to be Matt Damon's break out role and no one would have guessed he is Ryan on first sight. He was in Good WIll Hunting before and it blew him up which gave him away to most of the audience.

As a combat veteran with ptsd i thank you for showing this to many dont know why we come home broken

Mrs Ryan's knees buckling when she sees the chaplain is the most heart wrenching bit of film making ever.

My father was an Army medic in the Pacific for 3 years, and he and my mom retired to Ft. Lauderdale in 1991 and lived in a retirement community. When they went to see this on opening weekend, the entire theater was filled with nothing but retirees....and almost every man there was a veteran. And every woman there lived through the Home Front or served as a nurse or similar. My mom said that when the movie ended, the entire theater was silent, except for the sound of weeping old men. Watching this movie actually inspired my father to finally tell us some of his wartime experiences. Before that, all you could get out of him were funny little anecdotes. After this, his stories got a bit more grim.

When I started to watch this reaction and when you said "it's the sounds" I swear it took me back to Afghanistan 2008-2009. There's sounds you hear that you just don't forget. I can understand why a lot of WWII vets couldn't watch it in theaters and had to leave because of its accuracy. I have the same reaction when I watch Iraq and Afghanistan war documentaries, because I lived it and lost brothers and a sister (term for our military family) who I lived with, suffered and bickered with, trained and partied with.. People I had a closer relationship with than that of my own family.. People I loved. War has a sound, even when it's quiet, that someone who has never experienced it can never understand.

Both my grandfathers fought in WW2 and they never talked about the war. He did share his experience once to my father when he was younger and my father told me that story after he passed, it sounded so horrific and scary what he experienced and also shocking what man is capable of doing to one another out of fear and anger.

I saw this in a theater when it first came out. It was literally the only movie I’ve ever gone to see where there was absolute silence and stillness at the end. The entire audience just sat there. No scrambling to leave. No chatting on the way out. It was profound.

I went to see this movie with my dad. He said this was the closest representation of what it was like in real life. At the end, where Tom Hanks character tells him to “Earn this”, it touched my heart so much because my dad was with Patton - pretty much the worst parts of the war, freed concentrations camps and still became the best man I’ve ever known - on purpose.

D-day, June 6, 1944. Some drown because they were weighed down by their gear😢 they were 17 and up. 4,415 men died that day. 2,501 were American deaths. This is why our flag should never be disrespected. Ever!!!

I'm French, and my father was born in Normandy. When we visited family back in 2009, my aunt took me to visit places where WWII took place, including some places shown in the movie... Pretty accurate ! The rainy and cloudy weather is the most accurate, it's the weather almost the entire year in Normandy lmao Edit : the cemetery is in Normandy, it's the first place I visited

When Private Ryan says that line about “standing with his brothers I have left” it just gets me every time.

I’m a proud Army veteran i went to see this when it was released in the theater. Only time I have ever walked out of a movie with tears in my eyes. I was lost in my thoughts feeling stunned, speechless and somber I guess you could say. It’s a surreal feeling that no other movie I’ve ever seen can duplicate. Happy Veterans Day along with all the other days of your lives to my brothers and sisters who served. For those who never made it home Rest In Peace.

My great grandfather was in 1st infantry division during wwii and was apart of the 1st ID that stormed Omaha beach and survived it. I joined and deployed to Iraq twice myself starting in 08… I wouldn’t know until I got out of the army after two combat deployments that my great grandfather and I both by fate served in the exact same unit and division of the Big Red One (1st infantry division) as a kid I knew he served but didn’t know much about it. Long story short, my grandmother waited to make sure I got completely out before telling me anything about how wild of a coincidence it was. Not just the same division but battalion as him to not alter my mind and reasoning for choosing to be infantry. She always told me “we don’t need no hero’s in our family, but we sure need you to come back home”.

The actor that played the first "Ryan" they came across, Nathan fillion, plays a Captain in another fav series that i love called "Firefly". One of my fav quotes (and i have so many from that series) was; "Everybody dies. Hell, someone is carrying a bullet for you right now and doesn't even know it. The trick is to die of old age before it finds you." When i think of how the captain let that man go and in the end was shot by him, it reminds me of that quote. You never know how life is going to play out. How one decision paves the way for a reault in the future you could never predict. Another thing that also kills me, is that they stayed for both battles when it went againt their mission. Both because "It is the right thing to do". In both intances they saved people in the future but ended their own. Nothing else impacts greater then that. The duty and absolute conviction, by ordinary men doing extordinafy things, for people they'll never meet. P.s. you kinda asked in the review, why he was shaking. From someone who suffers ptsd, its because the mind cant compute the horrors experienced. He doesnt shake when in battle because he is running off adrenaline, his brain, and experience to stay alive. When things become quiet and he tries to process, he cant. It is too much to process. And then you try and block it out. Shut it down, so you can function. But it leaks through. For people it differs. I too shake. The more i try and supress, the more i shake. And when i finally break, and the walls crash down, it takes days to stop. The shaking is the physical representation of the trauma leaking through.

My grandfather was in the Normandy Invasion (the horrific opening scene). He eventually got shot but survived with a lot of psychological trauma. I always think of him when I see this movie. Thank you for watching ❤

I saw this in the theater with my husband (Vietnam vet). There were only 3 women in the packed theater and at the end all the men around me were crying. It really was a profound moment for me. I told my uncle (Korean War vet) he should see this movie but he said no because the VA was full of men suffering from PTSD after watching this film. This movie was so well done and as close to war as I ever want to get.

That opening battle scene, probably the most intense, realistic war scene ever shot. This movie also had an outstanding cast, like the Dr played by Giovanni Ribisi, who in my mind, is woefully underrated. But in a movie with this cast, hard to notoce everybody.

The range and success of Tom Hanks. From a comedian on a sit-com to within a few years playing Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, Philadelphia Story, Castaway, Captain Phillips, Sully, and the Green Mile. Amazing.

"The Best Years of Our Lives" is a great older (1946) World War II movie. It does not show the horrors of combat, rather it deals with servicemen returning home after the war and their difficulties readjusting to civilian life. It's emotionally powerful, even after all these years.

Tom Hanks and Spielberg made the HBO series Band of Brothers and The Pacific. They are well worth watching.

The Cemetery featured in The Movie is in Normandy France, which has been lovingly maintained by The People Of France as an expression of National Pride and Gratitude since The End Of WW2.

That cemetery in the opening sequence is the Normandy American Cementery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. The cemetery honors Americans who died during invasion in World War 2 and contains 9,387 gravesites. It's the only authentic filming location in the movie.

My Dad served in Europe in WW2. He rarely talked about it. So when I saw the opening 20 minutes or so in the theater, I sat there stunned with tears just running down my face at the horror of what he faced. This more than any other experience brought home to me the unspeakable horrors of war.

Fun fact: Apparently Matt Damon improvised that entire story off script about the last memory with his brothers and the barn etc. Also it literally breaks my heart watching Amber cry. Jay you got a golden heart in your girl and that's not easy to find in today's culture, don't let her go haha. Ya'll do some of the best movie reactions!

@ 5:01 The combat engineer was referring to clearing the landing obstacles in order to allow tanks and equipment to come to shore

When I saw this at the cinema with my Wife I was in a bit of a state after it finished and went into the toilets for some tissue paper and found half a dozen grown men in tears. I was not alone.

My grandfather hid under the floorboards of his home from the Germans when they came to the Netherlands. My father's aunt, uncle and cousins were all killed because they were hiding Jewish people. I had family in the concentration camps that didn't make it out. This film is so important, thank you for reacting to it! My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Ukraine today. Slava Ukraine!

My son saw this film in school, along with another called "Glory" (1989), based on a true story about the 54th Massachusetts all-Black regiment in the Civil War. "Earn this....EARN IT!!" Those words are spoken to every single person who watches this film down throughout the ages. We all have the responsibility to earn the freedom that so many sacrificed for. That graveyard is actually the American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. There are 9,387 graves here spread over 172 acres. This includes soldiers, sailors, airmen, women, and war correspondents. There is also a Wall of the Missing that lists 1,557 men that went missing in action, with rosettes next to the names of those that have since been recovered and identified. France has gifted the United States a concession to the land. This means that while the land remains French, the cemetery and memorial belong to the US Government. The Star Spangled Banner flies overhead at all times.

My uncle Tom was in the Normandy invasion. On the 3rd day after the battle, he and 2 other friends were shot by a German machine gun. He was hit by 4 bullets. 1 in his wrist and 3 in his groin area. He was never able to have children again. The other 2 men were killed. He crawled 2 miles, dragging his intestines behind him, and made it to an aid station. He spent an entire year in an English hospital. He was a silver star winner. May God bless all the brave men who fought in Normandy and the other battles all over the world!

That cemetery is Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC. That’s where military personnel are laid to rest that do not have a cemetery plot with family or do not have family to bury them. All military are able to have military honors for burial because they served in the US military.

Tom Hanks along with Spielberg produced the most expensive tv documentary series about the 101. Airborne during WWII, called "Band of Brothers", an absolute must watch. Each episode intro is by a surviving member telling his story. Amazing amount of actors as well, that rose to stardom, just as with this movie.

I took my grandad to see this at the cinema when it first come out, I wasn't aware how realistic this movie would be, on exiting the cinema my grandad said never to take him to a war film again, first time I ever saw him cry 😢 rip grandad 💜

The priest that was giving the last rights prayers to the soldier on the beach was a perfect reenactment of an icon film and image , but actually happened on the deck of an aircraft carrier in WWII. The soldier, talking into the radio in the rain, outside the first town, is an iconic image from the Vietnam war.

Just in case you guys didn't know. The sniper is Daniel Jackson, played by Barry Pepper. Same guy from the mile :)

I saw this when it first came out...the theaters made people aware that no one would be let in during the 1st 20 minutes, so you made sure to be in your seat on time. It honestly felt and sounded like bullets were flying by your head. It was one of the most intense starts to any movie I've ever seen. People were crying and covering their eyes, it was incredible. I felt like I was holding my breath for the entire movie...I was exhausted when it was over. Like others have said here, as the credits rolled, there was complete silence as people slowly made their way out.

I was a reenactor at a veterans day parade one year, and an elderly vet came over to compliment us on the authentic uniforms and gear we had, we noticed he had the bronze star and asked him about it. He simply said he earned it that D- day morning, but refused to talk any further. After seeing this, now you know why

Both of my grandfathers were in WWII. One was a field artillery officer in the Pacific Theater and the other was a radioman on Omaha Beach. My grandfather that survived D-Day never spoke of the war. After watching this the first time, I understood why. I miss them both.

Rob Squad, great reaction vid! My grandfather served in WW2 as a combat medic. He told a story of when he was in Germany and his unit over running a German position which was in his words "an awful experience". He found a young German who was just a kid shot and left for dead. His humanity kicked in and against his training and better judgement, he stopped and rendered aid to the kid. He couldnt leave him behind. When he was finished, the kid grabbed a hidden bayonet and literally stabbed him in the back. He dealt with a long recovery process for that injury. True story.

My late dearest sweet neighbor Bob who I will miss the rest of my life, was at Omaha beach. My ex took him and my father-in-law who was a Marine in the Pacific to see the movie. Bob told us that the depiction of the landing of Normandy was exactly accurate. The only depiction he’d ever seen of it that showed how it really was. My young daughter made a sign for them that said “welcome home veterans”. I made them a wonderful lunch and we watch the Tom Brokaw documentaries Where the vets were interviewed and talked about their experiences for the first time. They said it was the best Veterans Day they ever had❤

My dad was a runner in WWII in New Guinea. He ran through the jungles at night delivering messages and ended up getting malaria that affected him for years. My four uncles were in WWII also and my cousin was a Green Beret who died in Vietnam. War is hell on earth.

Hello to you both. I too was in the army and got out in 1974 and this is a very hard film to watch. I grew up with a father who in WW2, Korea and still on active duty during Veit Nam he retired as a full coronel. I'm very proud of him for all I learned from him about why we have to fight wars. The one thing that I will never forget is that it may always take blood in the sand to keep all of us free. I enjoyed your very open reaction to the film. God bless you all and GOD BLESS AMERICA.

One of the things that gets me the most is that a lot of those men were just 18-20 year old boys. So sad.

Spielberg gave a private show of this movie to WW2 veterans who were at normandy(the beach), before the movie came out. He researched and asked vets for input heavily so much so that the WW2 vets that watched this told media that it was as close to what happened to them in real life as possible. This sets the standard for what war movies need to be like. As a soldier I cry every time I watch this.

These men gave their lives so that we can enjoy the little things like enjoying watching a reaction. We owe them so much for their sacrifice.

Glad you saw this. Watched with my dad at the theater. His father died 15 days after DDay began on June 22 - killed by a sniper. He’s now buried there in the Normandy cemetery and I’ve been there, right where they shot the beginning and ending scenes of the movie. Thx again for watching this and seeing the history. Y’all are great

Here on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Lest we forget ❤ 2024/06/06

My wife's grandfather served at the Battle of the Bulge in WW2. He was stationed out of Fort Bragg/ Camp Mackall. Over 60 years later I found myself there. He opened up to me about his experiences like he hadn't with his children and grandchildren because of what we had in common. I'm a day late it's not memorial day but I gotta say rest in peace Ryan Knauss. The last U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan and my friend, always.

This should be required for every American to watch. What our servicemen and women go through and sacrifice to keep us safe should never be forgotten. This portrayal of the Normandy invasion has to be so close to the way war really is. And when the General quotes Lincoln’s letter it is so eloquent and has always touched me so. This movie is able to show the inner thoughts and fears, the regrets of these soldiers. There is just so much to appreciate here, one of the greatest movies ever. Btw, the sniper is Barry Pepper, Dean from The Green Mile. I love him, his character in this. I love the way he prays for God’s help to make him a weapon. 💔💔♥️🇺🇸🇺🇸

I was in a theater with my parents when I was younger, full of WW2 vets for this. Something I will never forget

Excellent review. I’ve seen this film about 10 times and watching it with you again had me tearing up at the end and saluting my tv! It’s a masterpiece.

One of the most realistic depictions of the chaos of war ever put on film . That first half hour was horrific. I saw this on a big screen at the DGA theatre in Los Angeles and cried and cried for those men… My uncle was with an anti aircraft unit that made the push through France.. his unit shot down the last German plane of the European war… he died last year on Labor Day at 97 years old

My son was in high school when he and I went to the theater to see this movie. Prior to the movie starting an elderly gentleman with a young lady sat in front of us. He turned around to ask if I could see okay. How nice of him. Then the movie started and on the big screen it was so tough to watch. Then the gentleman in front of me started crying and the young lady held him. I then heard my son and turned to see him bawling. All four of us just cried and cried. Now you know how thankful we need to be for those who fought for the freedom of everyone.

My Grandfather was in First Infantry, The Big Red One during WW2 and one of the first waves on Normandy on D-day. Much respect to all men and women who served and still serving. Love you all 😊

My Great Grandfather's on both sides served in the Great War, my maternal Great grandfather and all 3 of his brothers served in France. In WW2 my maternal grandfather fought the Germans and Italians in North Africa and his brother died aged 19 in a bombing raid over Germany as an RAF Gunner in a Wellington Bomber. My Paternal Grandfather was a Naval Seaman and was offshore in Rotterdam when the Germans invaded the Netherlands and was lucky to make it back aboard to get back to the UK before the city was overrun. Without the sacrifices of all of my family I wouldn't be here today. Keeping the true horror of war alive for future generations will not just show the terror our ancestors went through, but prevent anyone ever having to experience it again.

My Grandfather was in the Army during WWII and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. This movie is the only movie that ever made my Father (a Vietnam War Vet) cry. And the third in line, my son is a Navy Veteran at only 30. Brilliant Movie.

My grandpa was a parachter who stormed the beach of Normandy...he never told the family anything when he came home. It was only at his funeral many many years later that we were told of all his bravery and accomplishments and my grandmother was presented a flag and a full 21 gun salute 🙏 I was very proud of my grandfather's grace. He never complained and we had absolutely no clue the enormity that he had been through. The war scarred him for sure but he never burdened his family and was always a quiet piller of strength... rip papa

Thank you for reviewing this movie. I very much appreciated your sharing your thoughts and perspectives. I also very much respect you both for the respect and kindness you show and encourage others to show to our veterans. Thank you

My dad and uncle were both in the US Army for the entire duration of WWII. They didn't serve together, but both were there on D-DAY. They never talked about specifics, but they'd argue about the weather on any given day. They were both incredibly modest about their achievements, but they each received several medals and commendations for their service. They simply don't make em like that anymore!

The scene with Wade the medic getting killed. So heartbreaking. I remember reading The Longest Day a long time ago. And there's this part about a German medic trying to get away, and stumbling across two lifeless American paratroopers in a field near a hedge. He checks on them, one is dead, one is not. So he does what he can to patch that guy up. And when he is done, someone throws a pack of cigarettes to him, which scares him a lot. There's more American paratroopers in the hedgerow next to him. And they've been watching him. And since he is a medic and did good, he is allowed to go on his merry way, with a pack of smokes. Medics were that well liked, and loved. Even an enemy medic would get respect. That novel is basically just a long row of interviews with war veterans from D-day, June 6th 1944, so that story is not fiction. So Wade the medic getting killed would be a major loss for everyone in the unit.

As a Vietnam-Era army vet, this movie makes me cry every time. I lost two uncles in WW2, and most of my commanding officers were WW2 veterans and I heard so many stories. This was truly the greatest generation.

The blimps were known as barrage balloons and used at various altitudes to foil low level aerial attacks by enemy aircraft.

I'm an Ex UK Vet, and have spoke to veterans who were there, and they told me that the first half of the beach landing is exactly what it was like. The sea was running red, have also visited the beaches, and let's just say them Poor Sods didn't stand a chance. Speilberg actually used twenty to thirty amputees for the film. Respect R.I.P.

The sniper wasn't in shawshank redemption, he was in the green mile. He played Dean, one of the guards. Great reaction 👍🏼

I never went to see this in the theater but caught it one night on cable when I was home alone. I am not a big war movie fan but love Tom Hanks and Spielberg so decided to investigate. The second this scene started I immediately became upset and reached for the remote to change the channel. Before I could a little voice in my head pointed out to me that if I found simply watching a reenactment in the safety of my own home too distressing, then imagine what the people there went through? I immediately felt that I OWED it to the men there to watch this and get SOME appreciation for their sacrifices. So I grabbed a pillow to bury my face in and sobbed my way through the entire thing.

This show was done so good TomHanks and ALL the actors did such a great job. As far as the two of you with your reactions, you guys are so real. Thank you for what you do. ❤

It's really refreshing to watch two empaths view this movie. Too many people sit there and react by saying," I'd do this" or "I'd kill that," without feeling anything for what it's like to be in their situation. Thank you.

My Dad was a medic on that beach, he then worked across France into Belgium for the battle of the bulge. After it was over he was sent to the Netherlands to wait for a slow boat back to the states. Medics didn't carry weapons, how he made it I have no idea, but I'm glad he did. He never talked about the things he saw or did while there. I just retired after 40 years in the Air Force. He taught me that we all serve, because even the people that stayed in the states did their part to help those overseas, just like we do today.

If you can handle Saving Private Ryan, you may LOVE the "Band of Brothers" mini-series. It has interviews with the combat veterans the actors portray and you really get to know each one over the course of the series. It is some of the best TV I have ever watched. The action begins with the paratroopers' perspective on D-Day.

I got to work with Barry Pepper in a movie in Jacksonville, Florida. He also worked with Tom Hanks in "The Green Mile". The best part of this movie is at the end when Ryan begs vindication from his family. "Tell me I'm a good man!" That is a very realistic reaction as many veterans carry around a sense of guilt for surviving when their comrades died in battle.

Both my grandfathers fought in WW2. They were lucky enough to survive. Hundreds of thousands didn’t. I give sincere thanks and remembrance to those American and Canadian young men who left their homes to travel thousands of miles to fight. 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦

My grandpa was in the Normandy invasion and got a purple heart pushing through France/Rhineland. He talked about it openly and I have cherished memories of him telling me stories about his childhood and WW2. He lived from 1918 to 2009, so you can only imagine all the changes and new things he got to see. He inspired me to join the military and I miss him every day. After the war he got a masters degree and worked to preserve national forests and enjoyed gardening. All he wanted was a modest lifestyle, his plants, and a small family.

I am part of a military family and served for 20+ years myself, and this movie brings me to tears at the end every time. It captures the realities of war so well, the viewer really feels like they're on this journey with them. There's definitely a reason this is often called one of the best war movies ever made. There's also a reason that more than 20 years later, many of us are still so outraged this movie lost the Oscar for Best Picture to Shakespeare in Love...

My Dad served in the Pacific during WWII and I took him to see this film when it first hit the theatre. He got up and walked out in the first 5 minutes. It was just too much for him.

In 2019 the 75th anniversary of the drop into France on 6/61944. Former paratroopers were invited to drop on 6/6/19 from the original planes into Normandy, to remember the invasion. Some of the men who had dropped 75 years earlier dropped again! I was too busy to go. I served in the 82nd in 1971-73. I realize I should have taken some time off and gone.