My dad's old man grew up riding horseback wars in South Africa & then moved to Australia to eventually be a commando in ww2. You know what that tingle is :)))
My father in law drove an LCVP first wave on Omaha. Blown out of the water and fished out later that afternoon. First time I met him and asked him what that shit was like and all he said “it was loud.”
Greets from Germany. My grandfather was forced to fight for a dictatorship he didn't agreed with. He was on of the few that survived the battle of Stalingrad on the eastern front, and one of the even fewer who came back from russian imprisonment. I think about only 6.000 men came back. I only remember him as a broken man, who woke up screaming almost every night until he died. He never spoke to me about it. I have seen pictures of him as a young, strong, proud man, before the war. I can't put those two people together as the same person. RIP granddad and RIP to everyone who fought and lost his life in this tragedy. And thanks to all allied soldiers, for freeing my country from the Nazi-Dictatorship. Great reaction. Thank you!
Hello! Thank you so much for your comment! That makes us so sad for your poor grandfather! You are absolutely right it’s a tremendous tragedy! So many innocent people losing their lives or suffering like your grandfather for their rest of his days it’s truly heartbreaking and I’m so sorry to hear it. Thank you so much for sharing your comment with us and for being here! ❤️
As an American, I grew up believing that the entire German Army was "evil" because of the things I was told by many of the adults in my life. I was programmed to have a very "black and white" view of reality. As I have gotten older though, I have realized that the world isn't that simple. Many of the people that fought on the axis side were just simply following orders for fear of being imprisoned or executed. Many were scared, young kids that didn't want to be involved with war anymore than the ones who fought on the side of the allies. I have heard stories of German soldiers sparing or saving the life of an American and vice-versa, because they were not killers at heart and they were not evil. God bless you, my friend and thank you for sharing about your grandfather. May he forever rest in peace.
@robertpotts2164 We have 4th and 5th may in the netherlands to remember the day we were freed, and to remember everyone who helped, fought and died in the war. Freedom: to stand and go where you want to be, and be as you are.
My grandfather fought the entire war 1939-1945 in Africa, Belgium, France and Germany. He never really spoke about it but one thing he said that stuck with me is "If you can live your life without seeing war. It was all worth it." The man was a true legend.
@Reactsandgames On a happier note, he was a very spontaneous man. Nothing was ever planned. He'd just decide to do things on the fly. Always made staying with him a non-stop adventure as a child 😁
My father and uncles were volunteers in WW2, my grandfather a doughboy in France during the First World War, and others dating back to the French and Indian War of the 1750's They all would have said exactly the same thing, hoping their children might live in peace.
My wife & I worked at a cinema where this played. One day, I came across an older man w/ his wife and adult children sitting, gathering himself afterwards. Turns out, he was German (American, now). He was there, on the hill firing at our boys. He said they went to see it so he could show them "What really happened" that day. He was happy to have been captured. He has his family as proof of that. The scars run deep on both sides. Many stories were told to me during the run of the film....
Seen a documentary on this and German soldiers who were as young as 17 at the time said they were absolutely terrified and were firing for their lives when they seen the Allies coming onto the beach. Different perspective and one that should be told.
I knew an Italian veteran who became a POW of the Germans when the Italian Army switched to join the Allies. He was put into a support labor unit to bake bread (!) for the Germans in Normandy and was captured by the Allies. Through the Church and the Red Cross, he was allowed to return to Italy to rejoin his family (who had already assumed he was dead). I can only imagine his shock at seeing the landings.
Many forget the first country the Nazi's invaded was Germany. Just because a soldier was on the wrong side of history does not diminish their hardships and sacrifices in defense of their home and country. As long as they fought with honor and humanity they are worthy of our understanding and respect.
@@johannesvalterdivizzini1523 It's why at the end of the Film, if you count the members of James Ryan's family, including James they number Eight... the same number as in Captain Miller's squad.
My father was a WWII P51-D fighter pilot for the USA flying out of a base in England, shot down twice over Germany in a 5 day span and captured POW. If he hadn't survived, my family and I wouldn't be here. Thank you for your bravery and survival Dad! I cannot begin to imagine the sacrifices you made and what you had to endure at such a young age.
Be thankful that the german wehrmach followed the genfer convention...regarding pow and their treatment, unlike the americans, brits and russians and japanese
Yea, that last line by Ryan to his wife, jesus christ. On rewatches I don't cry until that scene. Also the Wade death scene. Cried so much the first time I watched this as a kid.
Having served in 2 wars, my thoughts drift back and my mind becomes numb and black. Trying to hide the demons, my wife told me once "You're a good man" OMG.... what that means to hear from your wife.
26:36 "Is that just to ease the pain?" Not really. When Wade asked for more morphine, he was asking them to kill him by morphine overdose. He would have died anyway. 1 or 2 ampules of morphine might have eased the pain while he bled to death over the next 5 or 10 minutes (no way he could know for sure). But he asked for more so the morphine would kill him quickly AND painlessly. And all of them knew it. You can see it in the looks they give each other.
He didn't WANT them to kill him by overdose. He didn't want to die at all. He was just aware there wasn't anything that could be done and wanted more morphine for the pain and terror he was feeling.
@@Gunnar001 I disagree. Yeah, he wanted to live, but once he saw the massive amount of blood loss and felt his destroyed liver, he knew he would die. So he requested euthanasia to end it quickly rather than slowly. He knew he was asking for the amount that would kill him. So did the rest of them. That's why Jackson asked permission from Capt. Miller, who nodded, then that's why he looked so miserable administering the morphine ampule - he knew he was euthanizing his friend.
Don’t apologize for not knowing history too well, only one way to make it better, and it seems you’re more than willing to do so. Lots of respect for anyone who can put themselves out there.
Yes, one of the reasons why this film has real value is because it helps to invigorate people's interest in history. Learning something about the past is a real step forward.
I just wrapped up your reaction video, I am a history teacher and veteran. On one hand, I want to BLAST you for being ignorant of the history but truth be told so many people are in your boat. This should be a wake up call to learn more WWII history. Particularly, D-Day, the free world hung in the balance and while this film is NOT part of a true story, that opening scene is as good as it gets. Stephen Ambrose wrote a number of books about WWII and more specifically D-Day. The follow up to this is the mini series, Band of Brothers. It follows Easy Company, 1/501st, 101st Airbone. It's not a "film" but it follows a real unit throughout Europe, from D-Day to V-E Day and V-J Day. I hope you work to learn more and POW is Prisoner of War! There are so many great historical films. I did appreciate your vulnerability during the reaction. Well thought out.
Great reaction, you two. This is one of the greatest movies of all time, and is SO important. The entire allied effort saved the world from true tyranny. My grandfather served in the US Army in WW2 in France and N Africa. This film gives us a bit of perspective as to what they went through for all of us.
@@Reactsandgamesthis is just a hint - in reality it was even more brutal and horrible - also the beach wasn’t taken „that easy“ as shown in the movie at the beginning… the first hundreds of boats everybody died, tens of thousands died in a few hours just to be able to take that beach… crazy to think about that… A veteran that I knew once said to me that even though this movie gives him flashbacks and it is hard to watch especially for younger generations that never had to endure so much pain - this is just a walk in the park compared to how it really went… think about that - makes especially those first scenes in the movie even more meaningful…
Thank you. This was one of the best responses of this film. I like how you respected them and the emotion that you had shown. I remember watching this when it came out and when the lights came on the entire theatre was in silence as if no one was there.
The Fighting Sullivans. After that brothers weren’t allowed to serve in the same unit. It’s also why the military won’t allow all brothers, or sisters, to serve. They don’t want the family to die out.
@@derekray2683 Not true. There is no regulation preventing siblings from serving together in the U. S. armed forces. It is done upon request of one of the siblings. My brother and I served together during the Vietnam War.
@@Nomad-vv1gk is it still the same in the current armed forces. Vietnam wasn’t yesterday, it was over 50 years ago. They used to supply cigarettes to our soldiers, not anymore, it’s unhealthy 🤦🏻♂️
Excellent reaction! This is my first time watching you, and you're doing so many things right that even more established bigger channels often get wrong. The video was a nice length (not cut down too aggressively) and you stayed totally focused on the film instead of getting distracted by things like phone notifications etc. (which a lot of other reactors seem to do). Also, you were large enough within the frame to be able to clearly see your facial expression (which is kinda the whole point of watching a reaction) and you didn't talk over critical dialogue. When you did comment, it stayed on topic and was always relevant to the film. You'd be surprised how many other reaction channels fail on these basic elements. You did a great job, and I am really looking forward to see more of your reactions in future.
Really appreciate that! We love watching films together and being able to share that experience with other people, getting different opinions and perspectives has been really amazing! Thank you for watching with us and for the feedback. Genuinely means a lot to us!❤️
A great follow up to this is the 10 episode series Band of Brothers. Unlike SPR which is a fictional story Band of Brothers follows the men of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Div from D-Day through to the end of the war. Each episode includes comments from many of the actual veterans portrayed in the series. It absolutely the best thing ever put on television.
@@Reactsandgames "Best thing ever" typically is a bold statement. Band of Brothers is a masterpiece. The fact they tie the real life in people hits undeniably different. Should be taught in schools.
@@Reactsandgames Because in that situation soldiers from any country should be "Oh, well, okay, we'll take you at your word." Few if any prisoners could be taken on the beach. And many German soldiers when captured claimed to be conscripts who "didn't do anything" in order to try to escape penalty. Has nothing to do with those soldiers being American.
One thing that got me after watching this film many times is when Ryan's wife at the end did not know anything about Capt. Miller. That man bottled it all up and never spoke of it, while he suffered in silence. That is so sad to me. I'm sure that was the case for many men that went to war and came back to never speak of it again.
Back in the mid 1990 when I was 7 or 8 my grandfather would tell me some stories about his time as a POW and how he earned his 3 purple hearts and they were so brutal. He would show me his service pistol and his bayonet that still was caramelized with blood. Years later I would bring them up to my mom and the rest of my family, no one else knew what I was talking about. They didn't believe me about the stories, even to this day they think I somehow constructed these stories, but I know what he told me, where we were, and everything.
When this movie came out in 1998, several World War II veterans who participated in D-Day went to see the movie. Many of them were let out, crying halfway through the battle. The depiction was real. Very real.
Exactly. I'm not a fan of blood and guts in movies, but the brutality of the movie IS DONE IN RESPECT of what these men were asked to do. Like other commenters, when I saw this in a theater, at the end it was the most silent theater I've ever heard. Emotionally drained, a bit shaken, and deep reverence for those they hadn't thought about in a while or before.
They're called the greatest generation for a reason. This is the single greatest thing ever put on film. The detail involved is next level. They literally shot the weapons (used in the movie) into dead cows to make sure the sounds of people being shot sounded like a human being shot. That's insane.
Our dad served in North Africa, then the Invasion of Anzio Beach and the months long battle of monte cassino. Finally marching into Rome. He was a quiet man barley 5'2" while overseas his first born son died of an illness but he was not told till he returned. He is our hero. That's why I served 20, my oldest 5 in the Navy, my youngest over 15 and a Major in the Army. Both sons Afghanistan and Iraq veterans. I cry everytime I see this movie.
@JackelinHyde he started out anti aircraft artillery. Stationed in England. Then sent to North Africa as infantry fought there was with the 5th Army. Under Patton I believe. Afterwards sent to Anzio, monte cassino, and I think Rome.
@@nigelgarcia2432 ah, yes. 5th army and 3rd division chewed a lot of the same dirt.... Especially at Anzio. I think 5th army was commanded by Major general Clark. But I do know that Patton Commanded several armies and divisions at one time or another in WW2, so it's very possible.
My grandpa was on Omaha beach. A colonel in the Army. Not the first wave but immediately after so he came ashore while they were just starting to clean up. He immediately began pushing out to start securing surrounding areas. He lived to 89. He never spoke a word to anyone about his experiences except for one cousin... a year before he died. He would just ignore you if you asked. He clearly saw things that traumatized him. The stories he did share were incredible and matched very closely with the things seen in this film. This came out a year after he died. I saw it opening night wanting to have a better understanding. There are no words. Sometimes the R rating means Real. Because that's what this was. That bond they firm as a unit... it is tighter even than family bonds often. They literally prote t your life every moment and you theirs. You tell each other everything. That bond doesn't go away. Especially because you're the only ones who can really understand the trauma you've been through. The ability to shit your mind off and do the job is terrifying. And comes with a price. Deepest respect and honor to everyone who has ever served and suffered a war.
@Reactsandgames of course. It is impossible to say what you would or wouldn't do if you were there. I have no idea. Maybe I'd dig deep and just go. Maybe I'd wet myself and find a hole to crawl into. It is an unthinkable ask to send people to war. It's even worse to not do everything in our power for those who return. Because they destroy their own humanity a little to defend and protect others. They will never be themselves ever again. Upham is that example. He had mercy and trying to understand at first. Then he was running in front of tanks. And then he faced the fear... and heard two of his new friends die while he physically could not make his body move. That's not cowardice. That's raw unfiltered fear very few ever feel. Many reactors blame him. He is a human put into a situation where to survive you have to push your humanity away. Your r reaction to this film was spot on. Respectful, grasping a tiny fraction of the hell. So thank you. For taking it seriously.
When this movie was released in theaters back in 98, Many WW2 vets who were at the Normandy landings were at the early screening & had to leave the auditorium for the lobby do to PTDS flashbacks, many said it was like going back to the most terrifying time in their life. The flashbacks so intense that they could smell the cordite & diesel fuel in the air, just like back then. Even Pacific vets had flashbacks of their time in the Pacific theater due to the realism displayed on screen.
Thats gotta be tough for the Colonel to probably have just given a brief to his units and prepare them for the assault. Then to see all those men you gave your speech to dead on the beaches
when I joined the military my friends dad a Vietnam Vet took me to lunch and he talked about his tour, When he passed my friend asked me what his dad told me. I told my friend I'll take it to my grave. only Vets will understand
Same sound but yeah just one headphone. Not ideal for me personally but looking into the whole set up of how you have headphones on, with a mic and all that good stuff lol.
I believe even your 80's Walkman headphones would be a better solution than listening to one stereo channel. You'll still hear eachother, no need for audio backtalk loops and the software it requires, they're not expensive and you'll have your stereo hearing. Anything on-ear instead of over-ear, and in-ear is just a pain both literally and figuratively.
As a Corpsman attached to the Marines i took honor when they called me Doc. I have ptsd from treating my brothers, but i would give my life to save theirs. I felt like i did my job even though my Devil Dogs call me a hero.
45:57 When he glances down and Captain Millers hand is finally still…. Subtle scene there. It’s just the little things that this movie did so well. Small things sprinkled in with the absolute carnage of fighting. I feel like I notice something new every time I watch this movie. Great reaction video. Keep up the good work!
It's not really important, but I always wondered if that was a suggestion Captain Miller had a degenerative disease and he wasn't going to make it to old age in any case? Also, and I don't mean to suggest something you've already noticed, but the fact that Ryan's wife doesn't know who Captain Miller is, is a neatly dropped piece of evidence of how these guys just didn't talk about the war. Ever.
That moment when he said ''' earn this....earn it;'', it gets me every time i watch the movie and makes me fall in tears just because in similar situations some people like (fathers) and others sacrifice their lives to make sure you can have the oportunity to be alive, they go through hell so you can have education, health, tools to survive, and the only way to honor that is being grateful and being a good person.
No grown man can watch this movie without crying. There's a brotherhood that is understood amongst all men of military age - knowing that once you're in that situation, those people become your new extended family. Losing them is unbearable. There's also an understanding, especially here in the US where we are taught all about this war, that the men of that time gave EVERYTHING so that we could simply continue living free.
My grandfather was in the Army in WWII, and was shot by a German sniper in France, but he lived to come home. I am an Army combat veteran, too, and so is my son is, and we both know that nothing either of us saw compared even remotely to what my grandfather saw. WWII veterans were a very special breed.
Saving Private Ryan was Spielberg's love letter to the greatest generation and probably the the closest any movie could hope to get to capturing what that time in history was like for US soldiers in the European theater. I always tear up at the end when older Ryan is looking for redemption at Captain Miller's grave, showing how deeply survivors guilt has haunted him his entire life.
My grandfather was in the 116th Infantry, he landed as the first waive on Omaha Beach. The division took over 90% casualties within the first ten minutes. You think the movie is brutal, it was 100 times worse in real life. He made it up the beach, was wounded later on in France. He only spoke of D-Day once to my grandmother and vowed to never speak of it again. My hero.
Rest in peace my soldiers of America. We paid 10 fold for the French who saved us during the revolutionary war. I cry every day for that war. Europe you have been paid back for our nation thank you
I am a combat veteran. I have been ridiculed before for saying things this way but I don't care. You can not possibly know the good you have both done. you both doing this has helped a lot of combat veterans heal. Thank you both for this and God bless you both.
When he was interviewed for a Band of Brothers retrospective podcast show commemorating the 20th anniversary of that show, Tom Hanks was asked what it was he hoped the production of the show had accomplished and he said he hoped that when viewers saw the show, he hoped that the viewer was able to see themselves in the characters on screen and if not, then they (the creators and the producers). had failed. Powerful words and totally in line with your comment
As a military war vet I can say, when the end is near, all I want to hear is that I am a good man, and I led a good life.. that I was so gifted to come back home
I'm a baby Boomer born after the war. My Dad and uncles joined the Airforce and we're based in England. Dad was a turret gunner in a bomber and flew in the decoy mission to keep the Germans from knowing where the exact D-Day landing would occur. When Dad's mission was done, they flew over the beaches and saw the bloody ocean and the dead. He and his buddies volunteered to pick up the dead from the beaches. It was just like in the opening of the movie. He never talked much about the war and never picked up his ribbons or medals bc he said the dead were the real heros. He drank a lot. I love our Democracy even more here in the US. These fallen men are not sucker's and losers like some here say.
One thing to remember is that the average age of the men involved in the invasion was 26. That means that many were considerably younger. My uncle, a navigator in Bomber Command, was killed at the age of 21, when his plane was brought down by flak off the coast of the Netherlands in 1944. The pilot of his aircraft was 22 and of the rest of the crew of seven, the oldest was 32. My father, who was in the Royal Engineers, rarely spoke about his younger brother. 40 years after the end of the war, he received a letter from somebody who had been researching the history of Bomber Command and who gave him details of what had happened. Dad was utterly devastated and broke down completely. It was only shortly before his death in 2010 that he told me of how he was informed and was given two days compassionate leave to go to his parents in Liverpool. Seeing your dad, as an old man in his 90s, in tears and still grieving is something that isn't soon forgotten. I'm pleased that you were able to learn something more about the history of the war and the lives of those who fought. Ordinary people placed in extraordinary situations. It's worth remembering, too, that the invasion force was made up of soldiers from many allied countries, each playing their part in defeating the Nazis.
I am a combat veteran of OIF 4.5. & 6 and fought in the battle of Ramadi as a Scout Sniper in the armored Cavalry. Many people have given me a very high level of respect and it is highly appreciated. Being a Veteran and watching movies like this can be really rough, triggering PTSD and alot of other psychological and emotional responses. Many times I often fade away into my mind remembering? Then I do my best to forget so I can carry on. I salute both of you for your very honest and kind comments. It was very poignant and I just want you to know equally appreciated. Love from America!
The price of freedom can be very high but it's the one thing that unites people all over the world freedom is something most of us are not willing to give up we die free if needed but we'll never be slaves
I saw this at the movies in 1998. It was a hectic and a very emotional experience. I also cried when Miller died. I walked out of the cinema in awe and respected what our forefathers did for us.
Shawshank is actually one of my all time favourite films. I watched it in high school and was seriously blown away with how good they made a prison movie
24:45 You' are right. Miller's hand was shaking from "shell-shock". What we refer to as PTSD today., that occurs after you experience some kind of traumatic or life-threatening event.
As a veteran, I appreciate your reaction. Nothing can prepare you for the loss of someone you care about in action, but your honest reaction to that reality meant a lot to me. Thank you.
Where a lot of movies romanticized war, this movie shows what war is, absolute hell! Having been a medic, the wounds you see throughout this movie look accurate, a little too accurate. The sounds of the bullets whizzing by is exactly what it sounds like in reality, and it is absolutely terrifying when you are being shot at. Good movie and allows each of us to see that our freedoms aren't free. Enjoyed your video and your reactions to the film.
Omaha is regarded as the worst experience of 5 beaches assaulted some 2,000 of the day's 4,000 dead were there. Utah and Omaha-American , Sword and Gold- British , Juno-Canadian. The Commonwealth forces had learned painful lessons at Dieppe incursion two years before a raid with 60% (2,853) casualty rate for Canadians assaulting a French beach. Remember despite Hollywood,13 countries contributed to the landings as they could. WW II was won by the "Allies" especially the merciless Russians. A masterful film with universal impact in displaying the horrors of war.
Oh, look, another anti-American bigot. This movie isn't claiming America won D-Day, you ignorant bigot. And it's not Hollywood. This is a movie about the American landing at one of the beaches. There are British and Canadian films and documentaries that focus almost entirely, if not entirely, on the experiences of their forces at their beaches, without so much as a mention of any other country's forces. And while the Russians paid dearly in lives and were critical in defeating Germany, American-made materiel was indispensable to victory in Europe.
My grandfather fought for the British army aged 15. He lied about his age to get in. Never spoke about it, all he mentioned is that he lost some good friends in that war. 🇬🇧❤️🏴
I retired from the Army about 8 years ago and have numerous tours to the Middle East. I can tell you from experience that there are 2 lines in this movie that hit home. The first is when Tom Hanks is worried if his wife will recognize him when he gets home. This is a great concern for a lot of Vets coming home. We understand that war changes people and sometimes for the worse, and worried that our loved ones will not understand and help us through the difficult process of readjusting to a somewhat normal life. The second line, was when said to Ryan “Earn this”. I take this to heart and try to live the best life possible for my Brothers and Sisters that sacrificed everything. This includes those of the past, present and future. We should all strive to make the world a better place for those that sacrificed so much, and not just our military but anyone that is selflessly serving our communities and countries for the betterment of everyone.
R.I.P. Jay Bowman KIA Normandy France 101st Airborne. 18 years old. Killed by sniper. Buried in Chicago. My dad's cousin. My father was in the 82nd Airborne sent to France and was briefly in Hugteten Forest battle.
RIP. My grandfather was in the Hurtgen Forest with the 28th Infantry Division. If your father was there too, he must have also went through hell. It was truly awful from what I've read.
@@Reactsandgames I wish I could have spent a lot more time with him. He had more to offer than I ever realized. He, like so many others, didn't talk much about the war. It must have been much too painful to try and express.
It gives you a reality check what the men went through for our freedom. The bravery of the men to endure such horror we must always remember them and thank them 🫡 prayers for all in the service then and now that still fight for us to be free of the enemy we must go through each day to be safe.
Note at the end his wife of probably 50 years by then had obviously never heard the name of Captain John Miller... All that time and he'd never talked about it even with his own wife...
I don't know if anyone else in the comments mentioned this little fun fact but the sniper shot through the scope of the enemy sniper was actually done in real life by a United States Marine corps sniper in Vietnam!! Sergeant Carlos Hathcock, one of the best snipers ever, was being hunted by the Vietnamese top sniper!! They both had a fix on each other's position and Hathcock caught a reflection of sunlight off the scope of the enemy sniper and shot at it probably a split second before the sniper was going to shoot at him, and it went directly through the scope without touching the sides!!! The scope was kept as proof but somewhere down the line was stolen by someone!! But there is definitely documentation of that shot!!
@@twohorsesinamancostume7606 I'm watching it now!! No doubt Hathcock was a legend!! American sniper Chris Kyle named Carlos Hathcock as one of his main influences and reasons why he became a sniper himself!!!
Carlos was amazing. Hunted down every Vietnamese sniper who dared to try to kill him for the bounty that the Vietnamese put on his head. He even went 3 days without sleep to slowly crawl into an enemy encampment to kill an infamous Vietnamese female soldier who had a reputation of torturing US soldiers. Once he was finished with his tour, he re-enlisted. An armored vehicle he was in was struck by a mine. He ended up pulling wounded soldiers out of the vehicle and didn't even notice he was partly on fire while doing so. Definitely a man who was just "built different" lol.
Saving Private Ryan is incredibly realistic in most every way, with a very few exceptions...such as bullets not being able to kill you more than a few inches underwater, and flamethrowers not really exploding that way in 1944. One thing to know, pay no mind at all to that man who took off his helmet on the beach at 5:10 and then got shot in the head...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 behind enemy lines to get the last brother, and it turned out that one brother that had been thought dead had actually only been captured. The 4th brother was found and notified by an Army Chaplain, and was sent home, but as far as the brothers none of what happened in this movie happened in real life. 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.
Great first half hour but the rest is pedestrian mediocre stuff, turning into kind of a Kelly's Heroes remake, but without the great characters and dialogue. The Americans facing Tiger tanks in the Cotentin Peninsula? 😂.
Everyone always gets mad at Upham but I love that Spielberg included his character. I do think it’s realistic that not every soldier is going to have that fighting bone in him. It’s natural to want to protect yourself and lots of people do freeze in stressful situations. Plus there’s a good arc to show just how much the war did change him as a person by having him kill the German soldier at the end.
none of us knows how we would respond in that type of situation. We like to think we would act heroically. Some may, some won't. It's easy to say I would act bravely while sitting in our loungers with some jr mints and a coke...
They say loads of soldiers never actually fire their rifle and if they do they don't aim it at people. People drafted into the army are not all made for it. It's human to want to save yourself and just get through it.
you might already be aware of this but just to be clear because its easy to get this part confused: the german soldier they captured and released earlier is not the same soldier as the one who stabs Mellish during the final battle. they look similar but they are two different people. the soldier on the bridge during the final battle that Upham kills however, IS the soldier they released earlier
Ohhhhh! Thanks for clarifying that. I thought it was the same guy on the last 2 occasions! Completely forgot about the guy they let go….and it was HIM!!! 🤯 appreciate it!
I disagree… why would the soldier who stabs Mellish leave an American on the stairs alive?… except if he recognized him as the American soldier who gave him a smoke. … this is how great scripts are written… consequences of your actions… it’s why he killed him after he watched him kill Miller. He realized his hesitancy and fear got two of his brothers killed by the man he helped.
Opening scene. The plastic bags on the rifles was to keep sand out of the rifle, not water. Water flows right out of a barrel and internal mechanisms. Sand can cause malfunctions. “Keep those actions clear!”, said Hanks. The bag would be kept on just before going in to action.
I remember going to see this film with my Dad and his freind and its the only time i seen him weep in his life he was severely wounded in a different battle but he never talked or mentioned anything that went on during the war so i never pushed it ,he was English but he was in an American feild hospital were he made friends with an American medic who he stayed friends with until his death he went to visit him in Chicago a couple of times and he came to Liverpool with his family and me and my sister are still in touch with his two sons ,we all travelled to the war graves in France together wich was harrowing and amazing at the same time ,we shall remember them ,Good night God bless lads and thank you for the sacrifices you all made for us YNWA 😢
My brother in laws father was in the 101st Airborne. He jumped on D-day said when he hit the ground he was alone and took him several hours to find friendly troops. He also day he had a frozen turnip for Christmas ant Bastogne. Other than that he didn't talk much about the war and I didn't press him.
Well. You've won my subscription. Thanks for being so attentive and respectful to the film. And it's a hard film. But as you said, it's important. And i really enjoyed your reactions. 'Looking forward to seeing more from you -
So much to say about this movie - perhaps the most gut wrenching scenes in all of cinema: 1) when the mom collapses on the front porch anticipating the devastating news and when the medic dies asking for his mama and " i wanna go home...i wanna go home"
Eh, tanks were overrated. Good gun and armor but gas guzzling, unreliable, hard to fix and maintain. Logistics wins wars not tactics and American tanks were logistically superior
Well, you two did a great job reacting to this Film. But first, hats off to Spielberg directing this masterpiece and to Hanks as well. Also to the supporting cast. So, I've watched a couple of reactions from you guys and always a splendid job. You deserve a reward and a standing ovation. Also, you two deserve a lot more subscribers. Thanks a lot. 😎👍💙🇺🇲🇬🇧
My Grandfather was a senior medic (Prior Africa and Italy - wounded/Silver Star) and was put in the first wave on Omaha beach. He survived and somehow held it together. He was gentle and tough all at the same time. He was hard on us when we demonstrated weakness yet picked us up when we got hurt. RIP
That’s incredible. Shame what he must have had to go through (like so many others) but very nice to. Hear he made it through. He sounds like a great grandfather❤️
I've watched several ,reactions to this film, and this one, is by far, my favorite. It was truly, honest, sincere, and from the heart. Thank you for your amazing reaction and respect. Aultman, William T. SMSgt, USAF, Ret. (RAF Bentwaters, 1988-1991).
I’ve watched so many reactions to this film and I very much enjoyed yours. Your perspective and empathy was fantastic. I actually saw this film in 1998 a couple months before I got out of the Army. I hadn’t noticed that I literally dug my fingers into my thighs. I’m lucky to have never seen combat but the thought of watching my brothers go through that was intensely visceral.
Thank you for a thoughtful and respectful reaction. You guys get it. Freedom is never "free". In fact, it's one of (if not THE) most costly things this side of paradise.
..hello guys..mate..I have to be honest..I cried again watching this with you Liam & Steph..films like this makes us understand the horror our brave beautiful strong young troops went through so that we can live our lives the way we do..and its so hard to understand why there is so much war going on now days..it breaks my heart...on a happier note..i'am so happy to see you both again it has been a while between movies..I look forward watching more from your channel..till then be safe and be happy..Liam & Steph all the best to you both..Adam..
Thanks Adam! Appreciate you watching so much! Yeah hoping to get another movie out MUCH sooner this time lol. Thanks again for watching with us and I totally agree! Makes you appreciate our troops and all that they have to deal with
Enjoyed both of your reactions to one of the best war movies ever made on D-Day, and also enjoyed listening to your accents. I have been born & raised in America,and it's nice to listen to different accents from different countries every once in awhile.👍 Glad to hear that you enjoyed the movie. Thanks to ALL of these ally soldiers who participated on D-Day so that we can enjoy the freedom that we have today. THANK YOU!!!👍
I respect the respect and sympathy you showed for this generation of incredible young men.Just think,your grandparents probably knew people that went through this!!
This movie is a masterpiece .I watched it a couple of times. The freedom we have today is not free, the price for it is live ! Greetings from Bulgaria!
The dog tag scene at the glider crash is what first responders and combat veterans use as a coping mechanism. It is called "gallows humor". They are not callous or unfeeling, It is quite literally "we have to find a way to laugh or we will be crying". When you see a police officer laughing about something with a co-worker next to a crime scene or accident this is what they are doing. They are quite literally detaching themselves from the reality which is too painful to deal with on a constant basis year after year. Later in life this when memories or images are triggered they will feel the pain. It is literally how PTSD works. It's bottled up but it is always there. This is often misunderstood by people fortunate enough to not have exposure to trauma and violence on a regular basis. A brilliant example of how PTSD works in that scene. The humor is forced ....the pain will come later.
I'm sure I've read this some where, don't remember from where nor whom... "Earn this..." Is a message to all of us whom are alive and are enjoying the freedom and rights we have by exercising and using them! Thank you for sharing with us!!!
A compilation of reactions to this epic movie is a wonderful way to honor Veterans Day - thank you, ladies! God bless all the courageous veterans with nerves of steel who risked everything and sacrificed so much to protect our countries and preserve the freedoms we enjoy today! Lia is absolutely right - Tom Hank’s admonition to Private Ryan to “Earn this!” applies to each and every one of us. It reminds us of the great debt we owe to our nations’ war fighters because of the tremendous sacrifices they have made on our behalf. God bless all the souls - military and civilian - that we have lost in times of war! God bless America! God bless us all and grant us peace!
Though Private Ryan was inspired by Fritz Niland, many details about him and his rescue were fictional. Like Niland, Ryan has three brothers who are all killed in action. And like Ryan in the film, the real Niland reportedly wanted to remain in battle when he was ordered to be sent home. The four Niland brothers - Edward, Preston, Robert, and Fritz - grew up in upstate New York (Tonawanda, near Buffalo), with their parents Michael and Augusta, and two sisters, Clarice and Margaret. While all four served in WWII, Edward was the only brother who wasn’t a part of the Normandy “D-Day” landings. In fact, he was reported as “missing in action” a few months before D-Day when his plane was shot down over Burma. He was presumed dead. Meanwhile, Robert was killed in action on June 6, 1944, in Normandy during a heavy gunfight upon parachuting into Neuville-au-Plain. Preston was killed the next day, on June 7, 1944, on Utah Beach - the code name for one of the five landing sites of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France. Fritz, the loose inspiration for Damon’s Private Ryan, was believed to be the sole surviving Niland brother. After his plane took enemy fire, Fritz parachuted before reaching his target and got separated from his platoon behind enemy lines. The Niland parents received news of three of their sons’ deaths around the same time. Another letter they got during this time was from Fritz. Unaware of his brothers’ fates, he wrote, “Dad’s Spanish-American War stories are going to have to take a backseat when I get home,” according to newspaper clippings. On the heels of these multiple tragedies, Fritz was ordered to return home. He later made it back safely in 1944 and served in the Military Police in New York for the rest of the war. Then in May 1945, Edward was discovered alive when a Burmese POW camp was liberated by British forces. He had been held captive by the Japanese for nearly a year, dropping to just 80 pounds. He returned home that month as the second surviving Niland brother.
Just stumbled on you. I almost left the cinema within the first 5 minutes, but stayed, and so glad that I did. Watching you experience this has been like closing a circle.
