Saving Private Ryan (1998) (Reaction/Request) 

Hey all! I've started a new dedicated movie reaction channel, check it out if you want to see any of my movie reactions going forward: www.youtube.com/@mikewatchesstuff

Sir, I, like you, am a veteran who is proud to have served, although with the British Special Forces. A few years ago I, along with a group of fellow veterans, visited the Normandy battlefields and we made a point of going to the American cemetery near Omaha Beach (where the opening and closing scenes of this movie were shot and where over 2000 of your brave young countrymen lie in peace). We each placed a flower upon the grave of a soldier who we will never know, but who's bravery and sacrifice we will never forget. Thank you for your service, my friend.

Captain Miller’s shaking hand is due to PTSD. His nerves are completely shot so he gets those tremors whenever he’s not in action. They only seem to disappear when he’s in combat. Also Miller gets these moments of shell shock whenever he gets knocked to the ground by an explosion. The sound gets muffled like he’s hearing everything through a sea shell and he also gets discombobulated for a bit before reality comes rushing in to bring him back into the moment.

Thanks guys, this was a great reaction. Special thanks to Anna for hanging in there. This movie is very tough.

Let's give it to *Anna* because it's (brave) to pour your emotions out for everyone to see & judge you

Good for Anna for hanging in there! Tom Boyte, GySgt. USMC, retired Vietnam 1965-66/1970-71 Bronze Star, Purple Heart

10:59 When I was a junior officer in Ft. Polk, LA. doing some training, fresh out of BOLC (Basic Officer Leader Course), my company was arti-sim'd and attacked (simulated) in the middle of the night. Even though we won the fight, myself and my fellow Lieutenants (from the rest of the battalion), lost a good portion of our troops in each of our platoons. After our "after actions brief", my company commander quietly ordered the PLs, senior NCOs and command staff to write letters for the families of our "simulated" dead... before the rest of the battalion got involved and made a big show of it... writing those letters was quite the surreal experience, even though it wasn't real, it stuck with me throughout my career. Note: we just wrote letters and simulated mailing them. We didn't want to freak out the families during our FTX.

I've seen this movie a number of times and I still can't help but cry every time Wade is overdosed to end his suffering while begging for his mama...

Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks said that these men(boys) were 18,19 and 20 year olds saved the whole world. We have very few WW II veterans who are still with us.

In the last scene, most people miss the life where Ryan’s wife reads CPT Miller’s name with a tone indicating that she had never heard that name before. In three words, she is telling us that in all of their years together, her husband never told her the story or mentioned Miller. Instead, her husband suffered alone quietly with that memory, one so painful that he never shared it with her. BTW, bring Anna back for “Schindler’s List” (despite what she said about watching it) and “Band of Brothers”. She will love them if she hasn’t seen them before.

Talli Air Base 2003.. then Mosul, 2004-2005. Critical care and trauma. Nice to meet a brother. God Bless

What better pair than a veteran and an English teacher to react to SPR. It was like watching the two inner halves of Capt. Miller experience the same events. Great reaction, guys. To Anna: Good job for hanging in there. SPR is a very tough watch, but hopefully it gives you an appreciation of what veterans like Mike, your grandfather, and others have gone through. On that note, I would gently encourage you to watch Schindler's List too. Evil exists in the world, and while I understand not wanting to voluntarily subject yourself to a harrowing experience, if you don't know what it looked like, not knowing is the fastest way to let that evil reoccur in the present-day. Like you said, SPR makes you think twice about sending your kids off to war. SPR, Schindler's List, and other historical dramas are important because it informs our future decisions. Again, thank you for hanging in there and sharing your experience with the rest of us. To Mike: Hello from a South Korean (conscript) veteran. Always happy to see someone share my somber love for the movie (SPR is my favorite too). I know it must have been tough for you to patiently and quietly watch with Anna and let her experience the movie without talking too much. Just a few suggestions for improving future reactions: 1) Sharing what you, Anna, or both know about a movie that you HAVEN'T seen yet before hitting play would be a great way to begin a reaction for us and both of you (if you've seen it, obviously, don't spoil things); 2) Keep up not spoiling anything and, if you can, be even quieter during reactions to movies you've already seen (I know, it's hard). You might wanna take a look at how Daniel and Samantha over at TBR Schmitt do things these days, just as an example. Great how you included so much of your reaction, though. Really appreciate it. About Upham, I understand your frustration with him, but as veterans who haven't experienced frontline combat, I doubt we can pass judgment on him with any degree of moral superiority. But maybe I'm soft on him because I was a desk-jockey translator like him. Who knows what we'll do in actual combat: freeze or help? Thanks again for the great reaction and I hope you can gently coax Anna into watching Schindler's List and other dramas with you in the future!

She needs to see Schindler's List, everybody needs to see that at least once! Green Mile is another tear jerker!

Me and my husband just watched this again the other night. We’ve seen it many times, but it’s such a great movie, we’ll no doubt watch it again. Hi Anna, you’re a sweetheart☺️Nice to meet you! Great to see you back Mike!

Imagine being one of those women, typing those letters every day. Imagine or Upham trying not to kill anyone, get caught up in the war, but having to kill the Nazi, because he knew Upham's name. Or living as Ryan, every day of ur life, knowing everyone on that bridge died for you.

7:30 US Soldiers were issued a shave kit by Gillette which had a mirror in it. That explains why they have one ready.

this movie is so realistic that veterans who watched it in the theatre start to cried

Love how this movie shows the sheer heroism and hell all of these men endured, but yet right after the war they just go back to their everyday lives and had great careers and families. Incredible that any soldier from any side of this war was able to somehow perform regular jobs and duties after

Finally, a review from someone who knows what's going on. Civilians still think there are rules in battle. NOPE. When the car pulls up to the mother's house and she collapses, in my opinion is the best scene in the movie.

the sad part about that momma scene is i heard a story about a dday vet that heard a dieing soldier yell out "i want my mommy"

This and band of brothers mini series should be MANDATORY viewing for Every American and future American so they can understand and show respect for the men and women who take that ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms

2:52 yes very young bby 😢😢

The German Upam shot at the end was the German they let go after wade died.

The story of Private Ryan is inspired by the Sullivan brothers (who are mentioned in the movie, in the telegram scene). There were five of them: George, Frank, Joe, Matt, and Al, from Waterloo, Iowa. George and Frank, the oldest brothers, had served in the Navy in the 1930s, and after Pearl Harbor, they re-enlisted along with the younger three, on the condition that they serve together. They were assigned to the light cruiser USS _Juneau,_ and all five were killed when the ship was sunk in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, in November 1942. The US Navy named two ships USS _The Sullivans_ in their honor: a _Fletcher_-class destroyer (DD-537) in 1943 (decommissioned 1965), and an _Arleigh Burke_-class guided missile destroyer (DDG-68) in 1995 (which is still in service). The ships' official motto is "We stick together."

Hey I love this movie. It’s my favorite movie of all time too. Got to give it up to the vets. Thank you.

Every person should see this movie....

1. Many WWII vets left the theaters because the D-Day battle scenes were so realistic. 2. The German Captain Miller was talked into letting go is the same one that killed him. Upham finally killed him. 3. The story Ryan tells Miller about the last time he saw his brothers was made up by Matt Damon. He was told to say something interesting, so he did, and it was kept in the movie. 4. There really was a USS Sullivans(DD 68) dedicated to the brothers lost on one ship. That's why all brother soldiers/sailors from one family can't be assigned to the same command. 5. I did 24 years in the US Navy. My favorite character is Private Jackson/sniper, and my second favorite is Sargent Horvath. 6. You BOTH need to do the GOAT that also stars Tom Hanks and Private Jackson/Barry Pepper. You WILL CRY😭😭

Great reaction. Now show her Schindler's List, I bet she'll cry watching that.

The whole movie was shot in twelve weeks.. of that 12 week time frame 4 of those weeks were just shooting the opening beach scene...

Great reaction!!! We should all remember & earn this.

At a quick glance your wife or girlfriend looks like shailene Woolley 😂

I remember my first reaction to watching this for the first time, at about 20 minutes in, I was thinking thank you for using the magic of Hollywood to depict what World War II combat really looks like.

Steven Spielbergs message is simple. This is the sacrifice that was made. Have you earned it?

Thank you for your service

Enfilade is when you can fire down the length of a unit, like what Fury did against that column of infantry at the beginning of the battle of the cross roads. Btw, you're the first reactor I've watched that knew what a Bangalore Torpedo was and it's use. Heh. reminded me "first rule of survival for an 0351, don't let anyone else hold your clacker".

Yes, war is beautiful. Fun fact: the garrisons at the french beaches caputulated because they ran out of ammo.

Everyone needs to see this movie along with Band of Brothers, The Pacific, and Greyhound

Gotta hand it to the character development too. The sneaky pete guy mentioned Ryan's poor mother near the beginning, then in that church he told the story about how he pretended to sleep when his mom came home and wanted to talk to him. Then his last words were him calling for his momma :(

The guy who knew where Ryan was, the deaf guy, was Opie from Sons Of Anarchy- Ryan Hurst

Nice reaction, thank you for your service. You should review Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Hacksaw Ridge.

Earn this, earn it.

One of the most important movies ever, least we ever forget

Ya'll should do a reaction to Band of Brothers, the 10-part miniseries that Tom Hanks and Spielberg did right after this movie. It tells the real story of Easy company of the 506, 101st airborne division (which is the fictional private Ryan's company). Everything in the series (with 1 or 2 exceptions) is based on real events and real people, down to the dialogue at some points). And it has the real veterans talking at the start of each episode (without revealing their names, which you only learn in the last episode so you don't know which of the characters makes it to the end). It's quite simply a MASTERPIECE

Not sure Anna could take much more, but the movie "Fury" (Brad Pitt) shows how the men changed as the liberation of Europe progressed.

Im a vet like yourself but im 62 now and never had to endure what these heros did like my grandpa in WW2 and my father in Korea. I was a Cold Warrior so i never saw action, and i salute you for your service and your girlfriend for having the courage to watch. I was able to better understand what my grandfather went thtough after seeing this and i came away with even more inctedible respect. My favorite movie as well.

So fun fact the army has the longest deployments at about a year, these guys went to war until it was over even WW1 they were there for years or until death.

To all those who say thing's like " this is why you shouldn't kneel at our national anthem " we served so those who chose to kneel are free to do so! Great vid FAM. Peace to you and yours.

probably not a big deal to most ppl but a pet peeve of mine is when ppl watch movies with one earbud in. you're not getting the full cinematic experience. it's like watching a great movie on an ipod. or if you're a music fan, listening to a great band through your phone speakers. it's just not the way the creators would want you to experience the stuff they've made

Great reaction! As a long time history buff, this has always been one of my favorite war movies. I'm not sure if she'd be willing, but it would interesting to see you guys react to Band of Brothers!

I've seen this movie over 50 times and it still gets to me. I participated in War Games (Reforger '79) in the country of West Germany and stopped in Belgium at a American WW 1 military cemetery. The headstones were aligned in perfect symmetry, the grounds immaculate and no one was there but us two. Though I had no knowledge of anyone I knew about or was related to that served in that War, I stood there and cried like a 10 year old girl. This movie makes me feel like that. Former Spec/4 46th Combat Support Hospital

Many people lied about their age to assist the war effort, it's alluded to with Wade the medic throughout his actions, story and death. Truly a tragic, powerful movie.

Really great reaction...and I really like the notes flashed on screen that you add in the edit, it saved me a lot of typing answering stuff you already knew. LOL Saving Private Ryan is incredibly realistic in most every way, with a very few exceptions...for instance, bullets cannot kill you underwater that way 3:38 they lose all of their killing power within about 3 inches of hitting water. Also, pay no mind at all to that man who took off his helmet at 6:40 that next shot would have killed him even if he had kept his helmet on. The helmets of WW2 would almost never stop a bullet, except under very very rare circumstances. The movie is not a true story, and it differs from the actual history of D-Day in many ways...but the basic plot is loosely based on the 4 Niland Brothers, one of whom served with the 101st Airborne Division. However, when 3 Nilands were reported dead, no mission was sent to get the last brother, and it turned out that one brother that had been thought dead had actually only been captured. There really was a Company C of the 2nd Rangers that landed on Omaha Beach, but they were commanded by Captain Ralph Goranson, and they did not land quite where it was shown in the film. Probably the most important historical thing that Spielberg got wrong is that he had the boats that carried the Rangers to the beach being driven by Americans...they were not. On D-Day, the boats that carried the US Rangers to the beach were driven by UK sailors of the Royal Navy. There are many other things in the film that are not accurate to the real history of D-Day, but that one really fails to honor some of the men that fought and died at Omaha Beach, so it is definitely the one most worth noting. 12:50 Mrs. Ryan knew something very very bad had happened when she saw that the Army had sent a car and that they had brought her local Pastor or Priest with them. Standard process for notification of death was a telegram, so a car with her Pastor was very bad news and she knew it as soon as she saw the official car coming up the drive. 💯✌

You should watch Taking Chance. I think it's a good movie about what happens when a soldier killed in action is taken home to be laid to rest. Very Powerful.

a very natural reaction, I would like them to react to the interstellar 2014 movie

On the note of Jackson being a badass: Even more impressive is the actor (Barry Pepper) is left handed, but his gun is right handed. So he's shooting "wrong handed" while sniping through this entire film.

Thank you for your service sir! Just found your channel, enjoyed this reaction

James vs Movies is someone who has seen the movies he reacts too. As a “supposed” film maker, no way in hell he’s gotten by in life without seeing 90% of the movies he’s reacted too.

Sir, Thank you for your service!! Great reaction.

I've watched this movie many times, I still get choked up at the end cemetery scene. Just too good.

Great reaction.

Poor Upham. A coward dies a thousand deaths. Every time he is in a place where courage is required, he fails and dies another death.

Great job, guys.........and especially, thank you for your service.

Hats off & Welcome home Thank you for your Service , I was in C Co 75 Ranger Rgt. First Field Force Vietnam , Break her in slow on the War movies & Remember all of us gave some BUT Some of us gave it all Hand Salute

You're right, the two surrendered, were not German

I completely agree with you about Uppham...to this day I can't watch the part where mellish is killed knowing Uppham couldn't bring himself to help his comrade. I was not in the military but I am an Army Brat. Dad is a retired Colonel..retired in 1998. With the experiences I had moving with him to every assignment, being in Germany, when the wall came down, to actually helping my dad get his gear together as he was preparing to go to the gulf when he was a Battalion Commander at Fort Campbell, only to have him be called off the plane because of an unforseen heart condition and having to console him when the ground war started and he couldn't be with his men....you just get a pretty good idea of the self sacrifice, the comradeship, and the pride he always carried himself with even though he was very humble about his positions. Absorbing those experiences and witnessing the indecisiveness and fear that Uppham froze with was to this day something that always just sits so wrong with me. None of us who never experienced combat could never know how we might react to combat but I would definitely like to think that I would risk my life to save or help someone in dire need. I just don't think I could live with myself if I didn't act. I'm 45 now and that scene just still makes me turn my head and the frustration is still pretty huge. It's just a well done but tough scene to watch.

Watch the Thin Red Line next.

Maybe I misunderstood what you said, but just in case: the German soldier Upham killed was not the soldier who killed Melish. Rather, he was the soldier that they released [blinded folded] earlier, after taking the machine gun nest - - and Upham saw he shot the "kill shot" at the Captain, who ironically, spared his life. It has already been suggested, but try "Hacksaw Ridge" - also well done . . . and a based on a true story.

The opening scene Ryan goes to the grave of his brother, at the end he's at the grave of Capt. Miller's grave. His family is directly behind him at the first grave site, at the end, his family remains at a respectful distance, except for his wife who has no idea who Miller is. Ryan went home and never told anyone about that day in Ramell.

1st time watching u two. Awesome , will def tune in again.

11:22 I was deployed there approx 2 years before you (late 2001, just after WTC). Big hug bro and three massive punches on your back with my fist! There were no coffins then... yet. Thank you for your service!

Im a 90's kid i was terrified but was amazed when i saw this when i was in like elementary lol on vhs. Along with ms. Popcorn In Bed you guys did such a great review! I always come back to watch this, blackhawkdown, windtalkers and we were soldiers... great war movies. No pun intended but i doubt they can ever make movies like these ever again, perfect balance n proves practical effects beat cgi overload anytime.

Hey Mike, I love your reaction and Anna's reaction. I've seen this about a million times and she helped bring tears to my eyes. I've seen you do Fury and Jojo Rabbit. You ought to get Anna to watch Jojo Rabbit if she hasn't seen it. It's a great movie as far as I'm concerned. Only The Brave with Josh Brolin is fantastic. I don't know if you've seen 12 Strong, another great movie that people always overlook. I don't know if you've checked out the 2 Deadpool movies, but they're great. I'm not into Marvel movies, but I love Deadpool. Tucker and Dale Vs Evil is really funny. Keep it up Mike and I hope you bring Anna along more often. Has she seen The Green Mile or Forrest Gump? More great Tom Hanks movies.

If you love this I hope you also watched Band of Brothers and the Pacific.

I remember first time seeing Giovanni Ribisi (medic) when he was like 13 or 14 in an episode of Married With Children. I thought this kid won't have much of a career. His death scene here he played amazingly!

Tom Sizemore just died. So sad. Loved his acting.

Ryan Hurst was in Remember the Titans. He also had a little role in the extremly well made crime/cop drama Bosch. I'm amazed how many actors you guys spot. For most Nathan Filion is the guy from Frie Fly, for me he is Castle.

One of my faves as well. Watch this once every few years. You should watch “The Count of Monte Cristo” starring Jim Caviezel from 2002. Highly underrated film. One of my top fave movie of all-time. Jealousy, betrayal, redemption, romance etc. all in one 🍿🎥😊

Just rewatched this one this fall. Such a great movie! She seems really nice so i wanna wish you great times these holidays. ☺️

There is another movie about ww2 with the Japanese, and is based on a true story. It is called UNBROKEN its about a soldier captured by the Japanese and placed in a pow camp.

Never be ashamed to show your emotions for our boys that sacrificed their lives for our freedom, it only shows empathy and there's nothing wrong with being humane. Thank you sir also, for your service.🇺🇲

I standby that was the right call hitting that machine gun nest under that radar site. Would say that was a radar site or radio site both of which would be high value targets to be destroyed. Any idea how many bomber lives probably saved by taking that out? Yeah they lost a guy but remember every bomber their were several lives gone with just one plane. Think that part that hits me the most is the grave yard scene. Knowing every single one of those crosses is why we are able to live in a free country!!!! Always keep rewatching it keeping in mind freedom does not come for free!!!!!

I agree wit her... It's such a good movie that I can MAYBE only watch it 1 more time in my entire life 💔

Fun fact, it has been over 20 years since I last washed for supper.

The rules on fronts and landing's require no prisoners. When they have established a FOB then they can take prisoners. You, if you haven't seen "Band of Brothers," you are missing out. It is also a Spielberg and Hanks production

An the best 30 minutes of cinema history.

It's to make sure the magazine doesn't have sand to gum up the gun.

This movie is a tough one. It shook me to the core when I watched it. Like Anna said at the end. "I never wanna watch it again. A great movie." As you said Mike. A fantastic movie. and by the way... your girlfriend has the same name as my wife!!! (fun fact) Be safe

Awesome movie 😢 Awesome reaction 👍

Thank you. There are a few reaction youtubes I am definitely skeptical of, I have no issue you having seen the movie and someone else who hasn't. Suppringly, I only saw this movie in the last year.

Well Anna is woman so I understand how she would not want to watch it again, women emotions are so much stronger then men . Men have a toughness testosterone basically. It's a hard movie to watch but a good one I think everyone needs to see. It may give many a reality check to come close to God.

I’m British and my grandad served at gold beach during the allied invasion of DDay.

Have either of you seen "Hacksaw Ridge"? It is now tied with this for my favorite war movie! You need to check it out! Also :1917" is right up there!👍

For some other true like or true story movies check out, 13 hours, Lone Survivor, hacksaw Ridge, Once we were Soldiers, Blackhawk Down, Lone Survivor, Fury. And look on here for the story of Roy Benevides, maybe the greatest soldier in American history!

Schindler's List

Please react to The Fallen of World War II and the movie Pearl Harbor with Anna. Pearl Harbor is a bit more soft and entertainment driven then other more serious war movies. There's also Valkyrie with Tom Cruise, less gore than Saving Private Ryan and has a thrilling plot.

spontaneous reactions are rare. i felt the same, my friends. this movie is destroying. peace. I just wanna, Peace.

God bless all of the veterans who sacrificed so much and risked it all to protect our country and preserve the freedoms we enjoy today! God bless all of the souls - military and civilian - we have lost in times of war! God bless America! God bless us, everyone!

The absolute best war movie ever made was, Apocalypse Now. React to that movie it will blow your mind

History movie wrapped around a great movie...A+

The most ironic part of movie.... German and Jew, face to face, hand to hand combat. And the German telling Mellish as he's knifing him, it's over for u, the war is over, u can rest now and go home.