My Great Great Grandfather was a combat medic on the D-Day landings ( opening battle ) he was in one of the first landing crafts to hit the beach and was on the beach for 7 hours he eventually suffered a bullet to the leg and a broken shoulder and hyped up on adrenaline he was trying to save as many soldiers as he could eventually he passed out from blood loss and was flown to a hospital in England. He went back to fight at The Battle of The Bulge. He lived to be 97 years old
@@gibsongirl2100 his father fought in the French army in WW1 at Verdun in 1916 and in The Second Battle of the Marne in 1918 he moved to America after the first world war
The first 15 minutes of this movie were filmed so realistically, that many survivors that were at Omaha beach, veterans of that assault, had to walk out of the theater because it was so realistic.
John, I wish that I could give your comment more than one like. It breaks my heart that so many people don't recognize the reality of that scene. They think it was graphic just for the sake of the movie. My Dad was a machine gunner in WWII. They really were the Greatest Generation. It seems that the further away we get from that time - the sacrifices are forgotten. ♡
@@wallyboy6666 Maybe there are some who live their lives without understanding. I don't know any, but maybe there are. But the phrase 'We will never forget' is still true and I think, as a country, a continent or even as a planet that phrase will remain part of us all.
@@jasongerrard8940 I worry about the future - not for me. I'm 58 now. I worry for my very young Grandchildren. ♡ Things that some of the 20 - 40 year olds are doing & trying to do border on socialism. They don't seem to understand what they're bringing down.
The Dday survivor account that stuck with me was a vet who said he had to leave the theater because he was overwhelmed by the smell of diesel in his mind.
this movie is a masterpiece of a film. the message the captain leaves with Ryan "earn this", is a message for all of us. A reminder to never forget what those boys did and to live a life worthy of their sacrifice.
I'm a vet, I served 2 yrs in combat. My Grandfather was MY HERO, He fought at Dunkirk, then Tobruk in Africa then the Normandy landings first wave. A more humble guy you would never meet. Rip Old boy.
They were called the greatest generation ever. Grew up in a great depression, then thrust into a world war. Sometimes I don't think we're worthy of them. Not many left anymore.
My father jumped into Normandy with the 101st Dog Company. Was wounded twice and stayed all the way through to the surrender. He never really talked about it until I deployed. When I came back, it was one of the few times I ever saw him cry. Years later, we could talk about our experiences. I asked him why it took so long. His reply was simple, "You couldn't understand until you had been there too." RIP dad.
Can't recall who said this, but it seems apt: "Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. Weak men create hard times".
The thing with morphine was; One for pain, two to die. When he asked for a "little more morphine" that was his way of asking the captain to end his suffering there.
No, that's not an overdose. It's just asking them not to worry about how much they give someone that's just going to die anyway. It's about making their last moments comfortable instead of agonizing. It's so poignant because, as a medic, as soon as he has his injuries completely described to him, he knows damn well that he's about to die.
As a man, I have to say that the most moving part of the film is when the elderly Ryan asks his wife to tell him he's a "good man". That should be every husband's desire - to be a good man.
No, I have to disappoint you, not my desire. The purpose is not to be a good man, that is an ego-trip to a certain extend, it is about having done the right thing when it was utmost in need! There are times when doing right is the only option to keep others from misery. To fail then, as a man, is the worst.
My father was drafted into the Army as an 18-year-old young man (he hadn't even finished high school yet) and was dropped right into the Ardennes Forest during the Battle of the Bulge with the 90th Infantry Division. By some miracle he survived WWII and had traveled across France, Germany, all the way to the Czech border. He refused to watch this movie because he knew how realistic it was, he wasn't interested in re-living the horrors of WWII. He died in 2013 and I miss him every day. Thank you for watching this movie and remembering him and this great generation.
My Grandfather had an older brother who served on a tank destroyer and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. His brother was also part of the second wave after the initial D-Day landing.
My dad was in the royal navy and served on the mulbery harbour after the allies secured the beaches he never really spoke about the war either he died in the late 90s i miss him every day.
I might not be a soldier, but even a civilian can pay respects and salute those who served in one of the most horrific wars imaginable. The remaining veterans have stories that people need to hear so their memory isn’t forgotten.
As a captain, Tom Hank's character commanded a company, which could be around 150 men. So when he says 35 dead, twice that wounded, he is stating that he lost the majority of his men.
Are you sure about that? By the time Miller is given the Ryan mission, time has passed. Miller's after action report on the Normandy beach invasion morning would have been given long before he received the Ryan mission. I always thought Miller was reporting casualty figures from a patrol or skirmish his men were involved in the night before. I'll watch that again. You may be right though.
He had 35 death among his men. There were other battallions as well. All counted, there were about 2500 american soldiers killed on D-Day on June 6th including several hundreds in Omaha beach.
One of the most moving scenes in cinematic history. She catches a glimpse of the cars coming down the drive and with incredible dignity walks through the door. As the priest exits her shaky legs can no longer support her and she sits before she falls. She exemplifies the courage of millions on the home front. Tragic and beautiful.
This has occurred to me several times but this is the first time I've mentioned it. Notice that in battle official rank is almost meaningless but the qualities of leadership are paramount. It may seem Captain Miller is obeyed because of his rank but he is instead followed because of his presence. The men have no problem talking back to him because they know he does not need false respect. He does not need to shout and the rare times he does simply tells his men he is just as scared are they. They follow him because he has earned it. Even those who have just met him instinctively know this. He has a presence that all true leaders have.
Of the hundreds of kids I've taught over the years, there are two that have stuck in my mind as purely having this quality. It's so hard to put your finger on what it is exactly: one was calm, deferential, not entirely self-assured; the other moody, impatient and kind of a dick, but both had this leadership charisma. It's all the more fascinating because it's effortless, especially in children who are not yet fully self-aware.
Thats right. Im ex special forces 1st Lt (Im from Nicaragua) you have to complete 2 courses when youre an officer or sergeant (thats if you can). I graduated from the academy to be commissioned as an officer with a degree in Military science and Tactical Command of General Troops (later special). First you have to do the basic special forces course (its 6 months and some change, then you do the officers course which is complete hell. 11of us special forces officers out of 52 of us graduated) i got sent to a unit and of course they dont give a flying fck about your rank etc. I got there and i told them i was gonna follow the team leader they already had to try and catch up but im not gonna barge in and give orders like i run the place just because of rank. That happened to a friend of mine that got there and he got it bad. People peeing on his boots, hiding his gun, putting crazy glue on his locker because of that issue.
@@cr9477hank you for your service. Would you please explain how anything you said pertains to the movie. I'm trying to put the two together and im having a hard tune doing so. No disrespect or I'll intent just trying to understand. Thank you and God bless
For me it's Giovanni Ribisi characters death. I read alot of War history and there are many times soldiers talk about dying men/children calling for their mothers.
@@B355Y This also gets me, as well as the death notification to the mother. Both my grandfathers were in WWII, one was part of the Normandy landings. His future wife (my grandmother) worked in the notifications office in Chicago, and transcribed the letters from members of the units of those killed to a typed format suitable to give to the family/wife/parent. This is not a movie I watch in front of anyone, because although I'm a veteran myself, I'm not going to weep in front of others.
@@themidsouthcyclist8880 wow! I couldn't imagine doing your grandmother's job. All the bad news that would have filtered through your grandmother surely had to take a toll on a person. My grandfather served in the RAF during ww2, he told my family some horror stories. Pilots trapped in burning wreckage, finding shoes with feet still in them ect. I feel very fortunate not to be alive in those times. Unimaginable horror that these men, women and children had to live through
I'm a US Army vet. The same rank as Tom Hank's character in the film. I came here because I was looking for a specific scene and I watched your entire reaction to this amazing film. Many of us regard "Saving Private Ryan" as one of the most realistic Hollywood depictions of combat, ever. I found your reactions and commentary to be very interesting, and even comforting. Ever since I left the service, I've been interested in how normal people process films like this. It didn't take long for me to see that you're a very empathetic human being with a lot of love and compassion in her beautiful heart. Thank you.
My son told me he wanted to join the Army. I told him before he joined that I wanted him to watch this movie. I respected his decision to join the Army but I wanted him to be aware of the realities of war when making that decision and wanted him to be fully informed. I didn't want him joining based how they portrayed it in other films and from recruiting officers. And thank you for your service.
Every time I watch this movie, I think of my mom. My mom asked me to take her to see this movie. During the scene where Upom is frozen in fear on the steps, the theater was ominously silent. My mother screamed out at the top of her lungs ... 'Get your ass up those stairs!' I have since lost my mom, but I remember just how unapologetic she was for openly, and sometime rather victoriously, sharing her feelings.
This movie was beat out for Best Picture at the Oscars by "Shakespeare in Love" which no one remembers. If you ask me this is the best executed war film ever. Spielberg at the peak of his craft.
How in God's name did SIL (Not a bad movie, don't get me wrong) beat this?! Was it just that the academy had just awarded him Schindler's List and didn't want him to hog it? Madness.
@@timaustin2000 Another great Academy injustice: No award for Val Kilmer for his role as Doc Holliday in Tombstone? Seriously? That's one of the most iconic performances in movie history...
@@timaustin2000 And you're right, Shakespeare in Love wasn't bad, it just wasn't important, landmark filmmaking. Saving Private Ryan absolutely is in my opinion.
I was a Corpsman ( Medic) during the Vietnam war and again in Desert Storm....experience that helped me in Med School! After 20 years as a E.R. Doc, now I am a police officer. Thank you Miss Cassie for sharing your tender heart with us, you are the best!
i watched this in the theater when it came out with some friends. the whole audience sat in their seat when it ended for probably 10 minutes without talking or moving. past all the credits etc almost out of respect. i asked the people waiting to clean the theater outside the doors and they said they had to add an extra couple minutes between showings because the audience had to sort of compose themselves to leave.
Same. It was the most quiet shuffling out of a theater ever. I will never forget it. We went to a matinee and walking out into the bright sunlight felt different. The realization of how awful it must have been for thousands to have suffered so that my friends and I could enjoy our “ordinary” lives watching a movie was heavy. We couldn’t even express how we felt just processing everything. That was a quiet ride home too.
its nice that she watched it even tho its kinda sad that she does not understand the full depth of this masterpiece. this movie is cinema history just like full metal jacket
The weird thing is nobody and I mean nobody thought of Tom Hanks as a serious dramatic actor before this, his career was going downhill and then he just surprised everyone with this role.
This movie is actually fairly realistic, when it first came out Omaha Veterans needed to leave the movie theater because of ptsd they were interviewed afterwards and confirmed it’s exactly how it was. Only thing different is that they were stuck there for 10 hours
One veteran recalled smelling the burning diesel of Higgins boats being blown to bits when he watched the opening scene. That’s how bad it was that they can smell a smell that isn’t even there anymore.
@@jmeszi4159 In interviews when D-Day vets asked about the realism... most said it was very accurate except for a couple of things, the smells (as you mentioned) were often as horrific as the sights. The other was the ages... one said the actors were much older than them at the time... "real" Captain Miller would've been the old man like 24-25, the rest 18-22 or so. When the movie was made, Tom Hanks was 40, Matt Damon 27... the youngest actor was older than the "real" Captain Miller. The history of war... old men send the young to fight and die. I'm sure the real enemy soldiers were of similar age. This veteran was at D-Day and Okinawa, he was 19 at the time... the biggest invasions of the war: compelling interview! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-leeB5EoQcIs.html
Realistic indeed. My grandmother is still living, and she is basicaly the girl from the village scene. She survived only, because when she was leaving their burning house she was exactly at a door when second bomb hit their home and the frame of the door saved her from colapsing house. Put that at perspective. I am here because some fricking doorframe. These guys were heroes indeed, because the went into literal hell voluntarily. My grandmother is not well. She never was after that I believe. She has epilepsy, and severe flashbacks of the war are became more common as she gets old. What I want to say- just imagine whole continent living throught this for years. Not days,. weeks, or monhts. Europe was pretty fucked up after this. I think that is reason why not having universal healtcare was never option to discuss. Everybody needed help. Everyone had PTSD. Really terrible.
I think she was referring to the situation as a whole... How do they get out of this entire onslaught... And move ahead... I mean my first time watching this I was like how... How did they ever win this?
My grandad was a medic in France. After the war he lived on the streets of Scotland around Lands End Pub, and later took his own life. I never got to meet him, but I can only imagine what he had to witness. Apparently he spoke 6 languages. I wish I coulda talked to him or just hugged him once. God speed.
First WWII movie that made me physically ill...not the actual injuries..but the entire beach and landing craft. it really was like u were there watching it unfold
The thing to remember about the Omaha Beach scene is that it's short. In the movie it took them 10-15 minutes to get off the beach. In real life, it went on for *hours*.
@@lordmortarius538 Actually in real account on the Omaha beach, they(Allied) didn't take the beach by force. They were pin down until the German garrison ran out of ammo and left the area.
It was so bad they have to send a Colonel down there and they say when he arrived on the beach he took charged and ignored all the enemy rounds shooting over their heads. Talk about hardcore. Lol!
As a retired veteran, I have to thank you for watching this film. Like many here in the comment section, I think you were quite brave to make it all the way through. This is tough film for most people to watch - and I’m one of many that took their WWII-veteran granddads to see this film in theaters. We had to leave within the first 15 minutes because he started to mildly hyperventilate - and after profusely apologizing, I asked him later what affected him the most. He said (almost to himself), “Sound. It was sound. The sound.” It remains one of the biggest regrets in my life - I simply did not expect the realism achieved in this film. He did watch it himself later on DVD in the comfort of his own home and quite enjoyed it (the surround sound in theaters were loud and immersive, I guess) For you personally, I found your commentary and compassion openly honest, which was quite refreshing - and sadly - rare among your reaction channel compatriots. I wish you the best of luck in the future, Hopefully you watch a Pixar film or comedy next.🙂 Thanks Again & Take Care.
the mind is an incredible, and horrible recording device. It does not forget, it only stores away memories, until the switch is flipped on, and the horror is relived(again)!! and thank you for your service,as well, as your granddads. My family tree, we were all veterans, from every branch. We went, we served ,we returned to work in the mills and factories, raise our children, and love our wives.
Your reaction to this movie was one of the most honest, heartfelt reactions to this movie that I've seen. You fully understood the brutality of war, the psychology of combatants, and interpersonal nuances between the characters. I could also tell the effect that the movie had on you. Well done.
My brother was a fighter pilot in the AF (F-16s) and I'll never forget his reaction after watching the first 10 minutes of this film - I'm a wimp (not his exact words but this is a family channel). Each combat veteran has lived through their own version of hell but there's something about what the soldiers at Omaha went through that is especially poignant and worthy of respect.
"It's raining, where are they going to sleep?" "How can they talk like normal conversations with all that's going on?" Those are reasonable questions. As a service member, especially in combat arms & through multiple combat tours, you become "constructively ignorant" to weather, pain, misery, homesickness and other concepts like that. What you do learn is that you actually look back at those times and laugh about how bad it sucked, how miserable you were and how absurd/funny it is afterwards. That's due to the fact that you're never alone in those situations and environments. You're there with your buddies who shared in that particular part of hell with you. You use your gifts of military humor and sarcasm to get you through it. You have conversations ranging from what's for chow, cars, financial planning, body functions, etc. As strange as it sounds, these behaviors help you cope and keep driving on.
you sound like my ex-wife's father. he was in the royal marine commandos from 1941-46! he always talked about the 'funny' things that happened! his best mate was in the 6th airborne division!
@rene montero I was in tactical, highly deployable units my whole career in the Air Force. We called it Embracing the Suck. Essentially just a short way of saying exactly what you're talking about. Thanks for your service.
I saw this movie in the Theater when it came out. When the movie was over the entire audience walked out in silence. Not a word was spoken. It is the first time I remember that happening.
"How can they be talking about normal things?" It's actually a well known psychological reaction. It's sort of mind doing it's thing trying to normalize matters to overcome the stressful situation. Similiar with how soldiers under this sort of threat often make fun of the situation. It's a coping mechanism.
The movie Stalag 17 is great at this. It’s a comedy taking place in a German POW camp, and although the men are joking around and enjoying themselves, the subtext is how much they are all about ready to snap at any given moment, desperately trying to cling to some manner of normal.
Every time I enter the voting booth at my local polling place, I recite these words - "Someone died so I could vote today." This movie amplifies that sentiment.
I always remember my grandad telling us stories, 1 back of a British ship and him and his friends were on the guns at the back of the ship and a German plane flew over and blew his friends head off...So nasty
My father-in-law, a WWII vet, was visibly shaken by this movie. He told us later of soldiers storming the beach at Normandy who were tripping on their own intestines as they ran ahead. We civilians have NO CLUE how much we owe them all.
@@solvingpolitics3172 my dad was in multiple wars too. I guess what you are describing is something every former soldier can relate to. When he fought in the war in Sarajevo his best friend got shot before his eyes. He’s became an alcoholic since the emotions and memories were too much to handle for him. He wakes up by the slightest sounds at night for example. There is not a single good thing about war... change my mind
@@NSugga war is the worst idea humans have ever had. Sometimes it leads to good things though. More Americans died in the Civil War than any other, but it ended slavery. World War II killed 60 million people, but it stopped the Holocaust and freed Western Europe from the Nazis. It’s just a shame we sometimes have to fight wars to change the world.
More important than saving Ryan, They held that bridge which was a hell of a lot more important and SAVED thousands of lives. Yes, their sacrifice was worth it.
@@kevinpitts22able Lol I'm so confused. I haven't watched the full movie since I was a little kid, so I don't remember any letters. And the Vin Diesel's dad part confuses me. You referring to the actor, Vin Diesel?
@@Gutslinger the character Vin Diesel plays in the movie lol he gets shot by a sniper and as he’s dying he pulls out a letter he wrote to his dad and is telling his friend, “It’s a letter to my dad...it’s got blood on it.” Every time the letter gets damaged in the movie, they take turns re-writing it so it can be mailed home to his dad.
After my grandfather passed, I learned that he was on Corrigidor when it was surrendered to the Japanese in 1941. He endured 3-1/2 years of brutality as a P.O.W. and wrote a book about it. Makes every complaint I ever had seem so trivial.
My great grandfather was a Japanese POW too. Could never get him to speak about it right up to when he died. He would always go silent. As I got older I began to learn what others went through. He was a sergeant and I’d imagine he’d be a target of torture for information, but like I said he never spoke a word of it. RIP
My third cousin Benjamin J. Vandervort dropped on Normandy with the 82nd Airborne, he was a Lt. Colonel and broke his foot on the jump. He fought 40 days on a broken ankle. John Wayne ended up playing him in the movie "The Longest Day".
The trenches of WW1 which was fought solely due to alliances vs the battlefields of WW2 fought over aggressiveness literally from 3 countries (the axis powers all invaded first, making it a defensive war for the allies) and literal genocide and human experimentation aren’t comparable. In the case of WW2 the Germans and Japanese were clearly the “bad guys”. Not necessarily the infantry soldiers themselves but the actions of their militaries and governments as a whole were purely aggressive and bad
My grandpa went onto Omaha beach on the 7th... he said the first thing he thought was how can these guys sleep lying in the rocks like that... it was a second later that reality hit him they weren’t sleeping
Your grandpa is part of that greatest generation ever. To fight the way they did for so long is a testament to the courage of those men. Bless your grandpa and all the men who fought in ww2
My father was in the channel, his group was never sent in... but he was awake and listening to fighting for hours. He said they could hear not only the gunfire, but the batteries from the ships and shore. He said you went past terrified into a state where either you went into a mode of hyper alertness. I can't imagine the terror those guys had to feel hearing what faced them.
There arent many WW2 vets left 😢😭 My grandparents were both in the Navy. We have letters sent to my grandfather that got returned because during transit the Japanese took Guam, where he was stationed :( He served on the destroyer U.S.S John D. Ford and later with Naval Intelligence (where he met my grandmother). He passed away in '04 🕆 and my grandmother in 2019 🕆 😭😭😭
Also, P-51s weren't known to be Tank Busters. That honor goes to the P-47 Thunderbolt, affectionately known as "The Jug" because it looks like a flying cigar. The successor to the P-47 Thunderbolt is the A-10 Thunderbolt II, which is nicknamed "The Warthog" because the gun in the nose of the plane makes it look like a pig's snout.
That opening scene caused many veterans to leave the theatre in horror because it was such a realistic portrayal of what war is like. Like that's actually what it would have looked like.
"How can they be talking about normal things in this situation?" My dear, that's the only way to keep your sanity in these situations. You pretend like it's nothing.
Just wanted to say that your reaction to black hawk down helped me through something that I've been dealing with..I was a combat medic in Iraq, and November is hard for me. Your reaction showed me that people still care, and I appreciate that. Thank you
@Zombie Turd I hear ya Brother! I served three tours in Vietnam as an AF PJ, so I know the feeling all to well. The end of January is always hard for me. During my first tour, I rescued an injured A6 pilot and got him back to the SF camp at Lang Vei. About 2 hours after walking in the gate, the camp was attacked as part of Tet and the siege at Khe Sahn. Welcome Home Brother and thank you for your service! All gave some, some gave all!
My mom's brother, my uncle Jim McPhee, was a Combat Medic on Omaha Beach that morning, so he was doing the things that the character Wade was doing. Jim never talked about the war very much. When he did it was usually about the funny things that happened (like the night his platoon was pinned down by a sniper in a tree that turned out to be a lump on the branch).
Sweetie i cry everytime i watch this. I had relatives that were there. I wish the rest of this country would watch this to see what was sacrificed to keep us safe. What you are doing is very commendable. Thank you
Also, with him being the medic when he asks for more morphine, he knows that would make it a lethal dose that he’s requesting and the hesitation everyone has while they look at each other is because they all also know he is requesting an OD as the best course of action.
@@tenlow2 I didn’t know it was overdose. I just thought he wanted to ease the pain while he bled out and the hesitation was because they knew they had limited morphine and was giving it up for Wade instead of one of them later who might need it.
@@cheebees yea medics in WWII had to be very careful not to overdose people. Though at times, just like he asked for, if someone is too far gone, that's the more peaceful way to go. If you've ever seen Bands of Brothers, in the crossroads episode the medic yells at the officers because of that very reason, because they told him they didn't know how much morphine they gave him.
You said it. Can't watch it. That and Robert Duvall's death scene in Colors. They're such good actors, they make it look way too realistic. Not looking forward to going through it myself. Hoping it will be a total surprise.
"The most intense movie scene I have ever seen" Intense and very very extremely accurate. This is what D-Day and landing on those beaches was like in WWII. A movie you may want to check out is called "The Outpost" it's from the Afghanistan War of these recent years and shows how utterly stupid upper brass leadership can be. I knew some of the guys that died in that hell hole.
correction: this was what it was like at Omaha Beach ... the rest of the beaches, Gold, Sword, Utah & Juno were a cakewalk compared to Omaha ... & Pont Du Hac
When the movie first came out I remember actual WW2 vets went to see it, and they said this movie pretty much nails D-Day. The only thing one guy mentioned is everything was on fire, there was black smoke everywhere. They probably had to omit some of that just so you could see the actual fighting.. but besides that, they said it was spot on.
She perfectly exemplified I think everyone who wasn’t actually there’s first reaction to seeing this film. The VA had to set up a crisis help line for vets who saw this movie
The first time i watched this movie I had trouble sleeping. I had two great Uncles who fought in WWII, one was in Bastogne when it got surrounded. What they really went thru hit me while watching this.
My Grandpa is a ww2 navy veteran for the Beach Battalion in this movie they showed a scene of that unit their job was to get tanks into the beach, my grandfather saw a 15 year old Navy Medic die after saving another soldiers life and every time he sees a kid young wearing glasses he tears up, he told me that kid died from a Shell Shrapnel that sliced his right side of his face that he died quickly I think the kids name is Eugene but I don’t want to ask him due to ptsd according when asked
@@redrider6580 Same here brother my grandfather is a navy veteran who served on D Day as a beach battalion they are described in the beginning of this movie
Live close to the US national WW2 museum. When I watched this movie, I was able to talk with veterans from dday to the battle of Berlin, axis and allied. Hearing their stories just puts all the chaos in this movie into perspective: War is Hell
my uncle landed on omaha beach he said if you lived 3 minutes you were doing good, he died a few years ago and left me a German sniper rifle and a Luger he had killed the previous owners, and his M1 Garand I had to promise they would never be fired again, I clean them about once a month one day I will give them to my boy. my dad was shot 4 times in Germany and died an old man I have his flag and memories, I am glad you played that movie it is a reminder of how horrible of a sacrifice these great men gave for us hell most of them weren't old enough to buy a beer
My great uncle was in the big red one on Omaha. Found him after the assault in an apple/peach orchard stripped of his gear in what then was called “shell shock” Him and his two brothers served and came home unscathed. The absolute bravery from these men and boys is something most people will never understand
I believe I have now become incapable of watching a quality movie without hearing and witnessing your compassionate and emotional reaction to everything you view on screen, you are a very special, quality lady, I adore all which both you and your sister so intensely articulate when absorbing, and enduring, the real-time horrors associated with man's inhumanity to fellow man. Thank you for all you splendidly do. x
You'll never forget the smell, almost like burnt rubber and skunk..weird, I know. On another note and what really gets me is that soldiers who fought on the beach and then were at Ia Drang in Vietnam.. said the sound was like nothing they'd had ever heard.
Blood. I heard a Korean War vet tell an anecdote about his service. He said he came upon a scene where there were some KIA in a fox hole or something after a brutal battle. He said there was a familiar smell there that he could not place. Later he remembered what that smell was. It was the smell of the slaughterhouse he had worked in before the war.
@@drakulie Wow. There is just no way people, myself included, can imagine what combat soldiers experience. That becomes apparent when small unexpected details like that are brought out. I never would have imagined.
When Captain Miller says "Earn This" to Ryan on the bridge, don't just see it as a message to him but a message to all of us who live under the freedom that those men sacrificed their lives for, because that is the debt that we owe to the future.
This was the same generation that banned black citizens from voting and raped European girls by the thousands Let’s maybe turn the blind worship down a notch
Thank you sir for pointing that out....i needed to hear that..i served as well but i still feel as if i cant truely equate myself to those brave souls...i am forever in their debt
That's why it is so heartbreaking (and enraging) in America's history to go from people like this, and what they sacrificed, to people like Schumer, Pelosi, AOC, Waters, Omar, Tlaib, etc.
Literally one of the very best movies ever made and might be the very best that will ever be made. So incredibly powerful. I mean,..REALLY damn powerful.
Next time you see some really old guy and he's maybe moving a little too slow in front of you, or he's driving with his turn signal on all the time, or he's asleep sitting on a bench in the park... he may have gone through all this. Now it's the Viet Nam vets who are getting old. They went through the meat-grinder too... Just have a little patience, a little respect... If you know they're a vet, give them a smile and a thankyou. They never asked for that, but they certainly earned it...
I learned this the hard way. As a very young airman on night flying, I asked an old Flight Sergeant pilot, who was doddery and half deaf, what his gold wings were for. He was most apologetic when he explained that he flew Mosquitos on a Pathfinder squadron. I have never forgotten that.
i f'king love saving private ryan, greatrest of all times, it changed my life when i watched at 8 yo (got military inspirations in my teenages)... but as a adult i must tell yall, just watch "come and see" believe me, i only watched once in 2016. to this day i have a very direct raw response to war. that movie will break your shit.
One of the best things you can say to a Vietnam vet is, "Welcome home." Most never got shown this courtesy. They were scorned by a mostly anti war populace back home.
When they filmed this the other actors did not know who was playing Ryan. So since he was not present during their "boot camp" it created resentment in real life between the actors which was intended.
They had counselors in the theaters shortly after the first weekend of the release because veterans and/or their families, and families of men who died in war were seriously anguished and traumatized by it. So many movies glorify the heroism. And while there's nothing necessarily wrong with that it's equally necessary to show the cruelty, the vicious irony, the cowardice and senselessness of it as well. And no movie has done that better
The next time you hear someone yell, I have rights, watch this film, and you will get an idea of just how their rights were bought and paid for in blood
America was never threatened by Germany, in both Word Wars, we fought in Europe for the people of Western Europe and England, not the USA. Germany lacked the ability to attack the USA homeland and only declared war upon the USA because of their pact with Japan. We were a liberation force in the European theater of operations. Our troops never defended a position but always attacked to drive the Germans back into Germany as we liberated occupied territories. The rights of Americans was paid for my the Continental Army and the Minutemen during the War of Independence, the soldiers and sailors during the War of 1812 and the Union soldiers and sailors who defeated the rebel traitors during the American Civil War.
My great-grandfather stormed the beach at Normandy in 1944. He was one of the lucky ones that survived to tell the tale, and he would tell us every Thanksgiving about "operation Neptune. " He was just 18 then. He passed away in 2012, and I still miss him.
I was born in Germany and also live here. My grandpa was there too. However, on the other side. It wasn't easy for most Germans either and if my grandfather had his way he would have run away, but that would have been his death sentence as well. At that time he was 17 years old. I think it's important to listen to the people who have experienced this terrible story.
Incidentally, I don't know if anyone else brought this up but the first "Ryan" they find, is portrayed by Nathan Fillion ("Firefly", "Castle", "The Rookie")!
I watched this for the first time with my grandfather who was there in WWII, he said it's the only thing he ever saw that provided a glimpse into the reality of what they experienced over there. For them it wasn't over in 3 hours, it was more of the same for years. While hard to watch, it's important to remember what those who came before us went through.
Pure anger when she said, "oh, I already love him"! Already knowing what Upham DOESN'T do during the battle! Pure ANGER towards his character! Yes, where was he Cassie?!? Gets me every time. Understandable he wasn't prepared for it but his cowardice cost lives. He stepped up when he knew he couldn't lose.
You’re right, of course… but I can never get angry at Upham, simply because I can’t believe I’d be able to do much better in the combat zone. As much as I can tell myself I’d be heroic and try and help and fight, I don’t even know what I’d do. Probably shit myself like he did.
@@nickmanzo8459 I see your point. If I was in that position,who knows what I would have done. I can only hope to act with courage. But I can still hate his character. I can still hear my uncle cussing him out the first time I watched the movie in '99 bc he cost a life. All he had to do was walk up there n point that rifle at him n Mellish would have done the rest.
This was based on a true story, but the soldier private Ryan was portraying was actually named, Frederick "Fritz" Niland. In real life, only two of the other three Niland brothers were killed. His brother Robert, died on D-Day and another brother, Preston died the following day, June 7th. The third brother, Edward, a pilot, was shot down over Burma (modern day Myanmar) before D-Day, and was declared as missing in action, presumed dead. Edward was captured by the Japanese and made a POW until May 1945, when the camp was liberated by the British. Edward died in 1984. Fritz (private Ryan) died in 1983.
During the Civil War there were three brothers who died fighting for the Union and the youngest was found and returned home. They didn't face nearly as many obstacles in getting him, but a group of soldiers were sent to find him
I’m not familiar with that story but it’s my understanding that, in concept, it’s based on the Sullivan brothers who all served on a cruiser in the Pacific. A Japanese sub I torpedoed it and all, I want to say, five brothers were lost. The event prompted, to my understanding, at least two changes: siblings couldn’t serve in the same unit or on the same vessel and the last son in every family was exempt from the draft. Oddly enough, though, the scene where Marshall pulls out a letter from Lincoln to a mother who lost all her sons is, I believe, historically accurate. There was such a letter, whether Marshall had it or not. So the phenomenon at the War Department was understood though the Sullivan boys were all posted together.
@@MrSmithla @paul dear was dead on. The Sullivans and the Nilands are two very different stories, both true, but SPR is definitely about the Nilands from Western NY.
Mike Hagen I totally accept your assertion. As I said, I’m not familiar with the incident you or someone else mentioned. I was more promoting the notion that the reaction of the War Department as depicted in the film because, for instance, of the Sullivans was historically accurate. Even up to Marshall, a value taken seriously was to prevent, if at all possible, the death of every male heir of any family. Utmost efforts would be undertaken to prevent that from happening. Ludicrous on the face of it, as acknowledged by those assigned the mission, amidst all that chaos, fog of war and lack of enough information to even formulate a coherent plan, that the War Department would order the mounting of a mission to find one particular man, have no real idea where he actually is or what his status is, nor any advanced communications available today to make inquiries. Not a bit of it. “Walk, ask around, good luck, don’t fail.” It’s certainly true our opponents and even at least one of our allies wouldn’t consider doing the same at any moment in the war and would have viewed us as sentimental saps for even considering it.
Now, I do know, based on research done by others means that this, one of the greatest movies, never mind war movie, can, only at absolute best, earn more than the description ‘based on a true story.’ I don’t recall the film, possibly a Cohen brothers offering, used the language I prefer, “Some of this stuff actually happened.” More descriptive, less ambiguous, I find. The general who affixed a steel plate to a glider at the cost of all aerodynamics and his life, yeah, happened. Rangers coming ashore at Point du Hoc, just next to Omaha, happened but not in the way depicted. They were attempting to eliminate bunkers above their heads but specific ones thought to contain heavy artillery but only held telephone poles. Walking from, essentially, Omaha, for a Ranger or anyone or anything else to where the parachute drops were even supposed to be within 24-48 hours of the invasion, quite impossible. I’ve read the arguments, based on the known locations of enemy troops and it wasn’t possible for some, I want to say, at least a week if not more. Please believe me it doesn’t at all make me happy to speak ill of this project. One of my most cherished possessions is a poster of the film signed by the principal American actors.
The Omaha beach scene was so accurate that when this movie was released in theatres, the US Department of Veteran Affairs opened up a temporary hotline therapy for veterans of D-day to cope.
Damn, talk about tearing open old wounds. 😔 The opening scene is indeed shocking and the image of the soldier with his guts hanging crying for mommy is forever etched into my brain and make me tear up. War fricking sucks...
THIS movie perfectly demonstrates why the generation during WW2 is called "the Greatest Generation". There was actually a hotline when this movie first came out for service men to call because this movie has since been labeled the most realistic depictions of the war. And some watching it opened up the wounds of war they experienced. I think you have so many supporters because you have a great heart and people get to experience the movie again with you. And enjoy it even more with your reactions and commentary. Continued success.
My uncles went to see this in the theater when it first came out, all 3 were WWII veterans (2 in Europe and 1 in the Pacific) and all three ended up on the floor of the theater in the D-Day landing scene. They scared the other people in the theater that someone went and made the staff stop the movie! All 3 said that the sound was very realistic, the closest they'd ever heard from a movie.
Hawkeye: War isn’t Hell. War is war, and Hell is Hell. And of the two, war is a lot worse. Father Mulcahy: How do you figure that, Hawkeye? Hawkeye: Easy, Father. Tell me, who goes to Hell? Father Mulcahy: Sinners, I believe. Hawkeye: Exactly. There are no innocent bystanders in Hell. War is chock full of them - little kids, cripples, old ladies. In fact, except for some of the brass, almost everybody involved is an innocent bystander.
@@southpaw4102 M.A.S.H. One of the greatest TV shows ever. And I've seen that scene replayed a lot in memes recently. Can't say I know why, but as old as it is, it has been on people's minds lately.
I love that you watched this.. It's the kind of movie that will make you respect our soldiers. I'll never understand what it is to be a vet. But I can shake the hand and respect anyone whose been there.
Not only did veterans walk out bc of how realistic it was but the VA (i think it was) set up a special phone line for veterans that needed to call after the movie came out. I remember being a kid and We Were Soldiers came out in theatres and we went to watch it with my grandfather and he hadn’t to get up and go outside a few times and was crying the entire time after the battle started. He wasn’t Army. He was a Marine but he said that movie is the most accurate depiction of the war in Vietnam
Thank you for your reaction and for reviewing this movie. Two years after this great film came out, my grandfather passed away from cancer in 2000. He enlisted in 1942 (age 20-21) & served in the 5th Ranger Battalion that trained in Tennesee. Eventually shipped out to Britain in late 1943/early 1944 in preparation for Operation Overlord. Trained in Special Cliff Operations in the Highlands of Scotland in early 1944 alongside his fellow Rangers (plus other Allied/UK Special forces) before D-Day. On June 6th, 1944, he subsequently climbed the cliffs of Point du Hoc. He had to carry his BAR into battle in rough terrain under heavy fire, search & eventually destroy the German Howitzers that greatly saved thousands of his fellow countrymen on the beaches. As history goes, the Rangers had to traverse miles of the French countryside for the repositioned guns after hours of naval & air bombardment prior to the invasion forced the Germans back from Point du Hoc. My grandfather was one man out of 75 men (out of 225 Rangers, 67% of the unit were wounded or killed) who was able to reach the top of Point du Hoc & keep on fighting beyond the Longest Day. Played a part of Operation Cobra in the breakout out of Normandy. Into the battle of Saint-Lo in July 1944, he got wounded when a piece of mortar shrapnel hit his leg (from his calf to above his ankle) & took him out of action. The 29th Infantry Battalion alongside another American division with small groups of Army Rangers (intermix of the remaining 2nd & 5th Ranger Battalions) took massive losses from German artillery destroying the town. My grandfather would have met his end at Saint-Lo, but thankfully he had a guardian angel over him. Over the years, I was told by my father & my aunt that after he got wounded, my grandfather was saved by a Sherman Tank Crew from the 747th Independent tank division that came to support the 29th Infantry division to take ruins of Saint-Lo & were attempting to gather all the wounded GIs during the course of the battle. It's still very unclear how many were saved on that day alongside my grandfather, but as a result of them saving lives, the Sherman Tank Commander was the only casualty while gathering up the wounded men under heavy fire. Due to their courageous actions, my grandfather lived, was able to go home to raise a family, & eventually serve as a police officer/sergeant for nearly 25 years until he retired in 1978. He got the Bronze Star for his heroic actions on D-Day & 2 Purple Hearts in the Fall of 1944. In both civilian life & his long days in law enforcement, he had to take small amounts of morphine (inside a capsule attached to a sliver neck chain around his neck) every day due to the wounds he received in the war until his last days on this earth. A reminder of the sacrifices he made in the defense of America, her people & the liberation of Europe. My grandfather's mother was a German immigrant & orphan who came to America in the 1890s when her homeland (early German Empire) was facing some social destabilization. My grandfather had no ill will against the majority of the German troops he fought against in the Liberation of France. He always respected the Germans (the Wehrmacht/cousins) for their military leadership, combat efficiency & historical discipline. He absolutely hated the Nazi idealogy, who only represented Hitler & a few thousand people in the SS divisions that committed the Holocaust. Like everyone else who first watched the movie, I began to truly understand & greatly appreciate the sacrifices my grandfather & the millions of soldiers made in WWII. That includes the common German Soldier (non-SS/Nazi) who fought not for Hitler, but for their family & their country. This film will always be one of my favorite films about WWII despite some of its flaws. I always got emotional at the end of the film when Miller tells Ryan that "Earn this" & it cuts to Ryan asking his wife if he was a good man. My grandfather never ever saw Saving Private Ryan in the last years of his life (did like the movie The Longest Day), but like most veterans, he would have attempted to avoid seeing the horrors of war again. I am immensely grateful to have known him before his passing & I am proud to be his grandson. This is a story I like to share with those who have first watched this film and Band of Brothers. If I had to create a book/movie title to describe his WWII story it would be called "Liberation at the Gates
Men... your words, came to inside me, I am not from EU but, I feel respect about all your heroes, your grand father was a hero and like you said, all this soldiers was heroes.
You 100% got it while going through the first 20 minites: it was created to give you a tiny taste of the fear, chaos, sights, sounds, nausea, and brutal loss of the theater of war. Its considered the best depiction of war ever put on film.
Watched this at the cinema on its release in 1998 on my birthday. A birthday I will never forget! My favourite war movie of all time no question. Makes you realise just how much courage these guys had. Spielberg a magician as always.
Matt Damon's scene with Tom Hanks where he's describing the last time he was with his brothers in the barn was completely ad libbed and unscripted. Damon is an amazing actor.
I know I said the same thing about a different video she did. She has got such a sweet heart! I thought it was interesting that she was so upset by them being in the rain! It's like baby girl they have much more to worry about then the rain!
Every American needs to watch this film. Saw it when I was 8, when the movie was released. I was just a kid and it made me appreciate those who fought and died to protect our freedoms.
However, it is also forgotten that the Germans didn't enjoy it either. At that time Hitler was ready to send children to the front. My grandfather had to fight for Germany back then. He survived but was only 17 years old. He was severely traumatized until his death. If the soldiers refused to go to war, they were shot on the spot and their families imprisoned
@@alpaka8437 of course. My initial comment was aimed at the movie and what the Americans went through. Because the film is based off that. But I get it.
I was a ranger (2/75) for 5 years. Been on 300 plus direct action missions overseas. Saving private Ryan shows 2nd ranger battalion, so it hits home cause that’s the unit I was in. It’s surreal to watch war after experiencing so much of it in real life. Thanks for your review.
As a Marine grunt it’s hard to not be egotistical. However getting to know the caliber of warrior you batt bois are has been a pleasure. I instruct with a 2/75 cat and he is a great representation of you guys. Your history is prolific and you guys should be proud of what you guys do.
Me and my great granddad watched this movie when it came out. He served and survived Omaha, he went and was early in the battle. He said before he died in 2011 that this to date was the most accurate movie depicting D-Day. He was 87 then. He died shortly after. Miss you man. RIP geepee.
Your emotions are so genuine and impactful when you watch these, it no longer matters what or where I'm watching a movie, I imagine how you and your sister would react. your Chanel is awesome Thanks
I had 3 uncles in the d day invasions. Uncle Ted was only there approximately 25 minutes before being loaded back on a transport to a hospital ship. Uncle Drewey made it all the way to the battle of the bulge. Uncle Sterling went through to VE day. My Dad was in the invasion of Okinawa and made it through to VJ day. All said Saving Private Ryan was as close as any movie has come to showing actual war.
My Dad. God rest his soul. Cried at the last scene. A WW2 survivor that felt guilt for his fellow man. This is a type of generation that is lost forever!
My goodness, Spielberg's "Schindler's List" would *wreck* you. It's one of the best and most important films ever made and you absolutely should see it but it would be hard.
It is one of those films you can only watch once. Not because it is a bad film, because it is brilliantly made, but because your soul can only take it one time.
I don't know how much of any of the comments you read. I would like to express how much I enjoy your videos. Your reactions to the movies you watch are seemingly genuine and innocent. Just plain cute as I listen mostly to your videos and glance when gasp or make sounds of surprise etc. I thoroughly enjoy you. Your a absolute gem and the simplicity of your videos totally enjoyable. Keep posting the videos. P.S. war is a ugly horrible shameful thing, good men are mixed into a situation not of there own making. The honor and bravery the greatest generation sacrificed for the freedom we enjoy today. Is displayed in this movie so violently. In order to create a impact for viewers. To make such a a impression that it'll stay with you for your. Life. So they are not forgotten and history don't repeat itself. This movie is as accurate as could be made. Let's all pray another whole generation will never have to fight ever again like those heroes did for us all.
