This Movie Broke Me... ✧ Military Member's First Time Watching Saving Private Ryan

[@sitbone3]

I'm an old Marine Vet. My father went in at Normandy on D-Day. He was in 5 campaigns during the war, including the Battle of The Bulge. He told me he had no idea how he made it home. He passed a while back but he was, and will always be my hero. Love you dad.

[@donwilson4618]

@Zed-ti9uj Marines, incidentally, were at Normandy, but only in small numbers, a total of 306, principally because the Joint Chiefs of Staff decreed that Europe was going to be an Army theater.

[@sitbone3]

@Zed-ti9uj ..my father was in the Army.

[@mikecharlie187]

​@Zed-ti9ujhe said he was a marines, not his father

[@YSongCloud]

My grandfather was also in the Battle of the Bulge, as well as other places in France. He didn't tell us much, but in the final years of his life, he asked over and over to have help writing his memories down. I'm so thankful for the ones he did get down before he passed. Learning of things like leading a band of troops and having to choose between going through a minefield or going up against tanks. He wrote that the only way they got through with as many as they did was because the ground was mostly frozen, so the mines had a harder time going off. He talked about his men with wet feet getting frostbite. Coming to a French town that gave them aid and getting them out of there with help. I truly wish I had spent the time to talk more with him about this all while he could still remember it all. RIP Grandpa, you were one of the bravest men I've ever known and I'm proud to have the memories I do from and of you.

[@dmwalker24]

My Grandfather was in the Navy in the Pacific, and my Great-Uncle fought in Northern Africa. They're all my heroes. Including your Dad.

[@curtiswilson3569]

My grandpa at 17 years old was 3rd infantry In ww2. He did landings in North Africa and up the boot of Italy. He took 9 bullets and didn’t come home until his leg was destroyed from shrapnel. He still wasn’t even allowed to leave service for 2 years after. He never slept in a bed with my Grandma because ptsd, never would go on a boat again.. and he said from his 6 high school best friends, he was the only one who survived. He lived to 93 and was my best friend growing up. Greatest generation of heroes ever.

[@cedriceinarsson7218]

My grandpa also enlisted at 17 and went to North Africa with the airborne. He left the paratroopers after the Operation Husky disaster and transferred to the 3rd Infantry. His PTSD took the form of deeply hating bagpipes and he cut down all the trees around the house because acorns falling on the roof would wake him up as if it were gunfire. He also came home as an adrenaline junkie which lasted until he was in his 50's.

[@mikecharlie187]

3rd Infantry? There's the memorial monument in Anzio where were lost 5275 men...

[@curtiswilson3569]

@@mikecharlie187 Anzio is where he finally took all the shrapnel. Sounds like they went through hell there.

[@mikecharlie187]

@@curtiswilson3569 yeah, they went

[@curtiswilson3569]

@@cedriceinarsson7218 Its funny you mention the bagpipes. My grandpa loved them after that. We are scottish and he took pride in the bagpipe side of things. He just hated the boats and water due to the landings.

[@ankaris5129]

At the end, Ryan's wife reads the tombstone and you realise that it's the first time she's ever heard of Capt. Miller. It means Ryan has kept that story to himself his entire life. It was just too hard for him to recount those events.

[@LoneStar-pg4rc]

Outstanding observation!

[@cjhmarine0621]

Its unfortunate as most of that generation is gone now and we plus future generations need to hear those stories, even if they are hard to tell and hear. We need to keep their memory and sacrifice alive and use it for future generations to understand and appreciate that sacrifice that was made.

[@bernardsalvatore1929]

As it was with MOST of the soldiers that came home from World War II as Band of Brothers is a testament of!! Those men hadn't opened up about those experiences for 50 years!! That's just how that generation was I guess!! They kept everything in and tried their best to live with it!!😢 ❤❤

[@danielolson4286]

That was true of many, many veterans. You tried to put these memories behind you and turn to more pleasant things, and they didn't want to burden their families with these horrors.

[@cubanosamuraia4031]

​@@bernardsalvatore1929 most of theme sufer PTS , it is hard to talk about that

[@philshorten3221]

"I've got my ice tea.... I'm ready"..... everyone watching "NO YOUR NOT!"

[@fsu1jreed]

fvcking facts

[@saulh7773]

you're

[@dj_1701]

That is true.

[@shotgunnerB]

Enough!​@@saulh7773

[@spoonunit03]

Yeah, streaky mascara alert! :)

[@garrettrendon5040]

When you said "I'm not going to cry again" I immediately was like "yea...you will...many more times"

[@briangreen9677]

I was stationed in Germany when this film was released. We all went down to the downtown theater with our German friends and watched it together. The theater was packed. That beginning war scene hit a lot of the older people really hard. I heard the entire audience gasp many times during that scene. My German friend sitting next to me was crying and she said, "Everyone back then was crazy." Seeing this in a full theater left a lasting impression on me, especially being in downtown Frankfurt.

[@Number0neSon]

Wow, it would be incredible to have experienced this movie with Germans, especially if some of them had distant memories of the war.

[@kHanSolo69]

I was in Wiesbaden, and the CO made it required viewing for all the junior officers

[@michaelb1761]

I saw this in the theater, and I don't think there was a dry eye at the end. Everyone just kind of sat their in silence as the credits played.

[@scottc287]

I was in Vicenza at the time. The SETAF CG bought the theater out for all the guys in the (our) airborne battalion. As you said, the impression is lasting.

[@DATo_DATonian]

Thank you for your service Eralia. If your job ever gets you down from time to time, as all jobs sometimes do, just remember that you hold the respect and admiration of those Americans that are mindful of the awesome responsibility that you and your fellow servicemen and servicewomen bear on your shoulders. You guys are the best of us.

[@mtweiss01]

My cousin took my late uncle Vince to the theater when this was playing 25 years ago and he had to walk out during the opening scene and in the lobby were two other World War II veterans who had to do the same. They were crying together and then, even though they didn’t know each other during the war, they became friends - one of them living only a mile from my late uncle. All three are gone now. Truly the greatest generation.

[@Alfaqwad]

Band of Brothers is a must watch

[@jasonluisj]

100% it does not get any better and provides hours of incredible content covering various aspects of the war. Hope to see this in the rotation

[@aex132]

I second that...

[@greg1943-u3i]

Band of Brothers is fantastic. It tells us British how the 101st joined us for the last 18 months to save the world. Hollywood eh?

[@m_v__m_v]

​@@greg1943-u3i what a weird comment.

[@joshmorales770]

...as are The Pacific and Masters of the Air.

[@massakastuono7870]

you are very precious... for your tears and your service. I have been in the war. To me the hearing loss when you are hit by an explosion near you made this movie more realistic because that was exactly what happened to me.. also the fear of tripping on a landmine scared me for many years after coming back home. People criticizes the scene when the french father wanted to give away his daughter, I lived a similar situation where for the father, there is no hope, if you stay you die, if you leave the house maybe you have a chance to escape the next bombing. I am very grateful that a person like you is serving because you have a heart, a compassion and that will make a great difference. Again, your tears makes you very precious.

[@daveemerson6549]

"They're assholes, but they're *our* assholes." Yup, sums up the military experience perfectly. Dozens of people you may not like all that much, but would die for.

[@patton6615]

❤ You’re damn right. They’re our assholes.

[@poolhall9632]

@@patton6615"I'm surrounded by assholes"

[@davidyoungquist6074]

Said every sailor about every marine, and vice versa.

[@patton6615]

Damn right.

[@guillermoivandiaz1803]

Show some fucking respect for those who are willing to go thru it!

[@Stand1ngBear]

My father made me watch this movie with him when i expressed my desire to join the military into a combat role when i was around 12 years old. He knew why i wanted to join (after the 9/11 attacks) and didnt try to discourage me in any way but wanted to make sure that i knew of the horrors i was going to potentially be subjected to. Honestly, seeing that opening scene further fueled my desire to serve. I enlisted into the Army shortly before my 18th birthday and was deployed to Helmand province Afghanistan in 2012 with the 3D ID 1/30 IN BN where I served as a .50cal gunner on a logistics convoy for the majority of my time there. I cant say that the things I faced amount to anything close to what the men on that beach witnessed but I am thankful for my father showing this to me. God bless you, sister. And thank you for all your sacrifice.

[@SergeantKillGore]

“We Were Soldiers” is another fantastic war film set in the Vietnam war. It also includes the heavy use of helicopters you might have some unique insights on.

[@Stubbies2003]

A bit off since she talked about working on 60s so some variant of the Black Hawk helicopter. The 60 first flight wasn't until Oct 1974 so more than a little late for it to be tied in to that movie. Still possible though as several other helicopter types flown during that time still see use today.

[@SergeantKillGore]

@@Stubbies2003 Yeah, I more just meant she might have some unique insights on Helicopter operations in general.

[@leivabernie]

The deleted scenes are so good too, the one with McNamara is a must watch.

[@xxchaos315xx6]

​@@Stubbies2003where did he mention anything about blackhawks? He just mentioned helicopters in general.

[@michellevi4919]

Nice call, I was thinking that would be a good one too.

[@dragonknight196]

A fine reaction. Thank you for your service. When Capt. Miller says "Earn this." He is not only saying it to Ryan, but to all of us. Sadly, too many fail to live up to the sacrifice these men from WWII made. I try to do so everyday, most do not even try. We should all endeavor to remember and honor those such as those who fought our wars, and live our life in that light.

[@DaveAlkema]

As others have commented, Band of Brothers is a mini-series that is worth watching. It is produced by Tom Hanks (the Captain) and Spielberg (the director of this). It's very good, not just as a war series, but as an experience. It's one of the best TV series that's been created!

[@fastecp1]

I also loved the movie.

[@christophgunster254]

The Pacific is also great!

[@neutchain7838]

Some of the very best 10 episodes of television.

[@Shortfuse39]

Crocodile tears: An insincere display of grief; false tears. Yours are real. You know what this movie is really about. The bonds of brotherhood we share in combat, in the military and in our suffering together. You know it is more than just "saving" Ryan. I cried 6 times in the theater when I saw this the firs time. I mange about 3 or 4 now. My mom took me to see it in the hope it would stop me from wanting to serve as I am the last male of our family, didn't work though, in fact it helped push me to serve. The little halftrack cycle is a Kettenkrad Sd.Kfz.2 Again, stay vigilant, and thank you.

[@michaelb1761]

I had a roommate who had joined the Marines out of high school, the year Full Metal Jacket came out. He said that he watched that movie at least a dozen times. I asked him, and you still joined?

[@Shortfuse39]

@@michaelb1761 LOL I watched FMJ about 6 times the night before I shipped off to Navy boot camp. It wasn't even half as bad as FMJ made it look, so I though boot was easy.

[@gordkolle-bl1ci]

a kettenkraftrad, actually.

[@blakewalker84120]

Your reaction was great. Never apologize for feeling or expressing emotions. It keeps you human, and the rest of us humans love you for it.

[@Eddie_NW]

What a heartfelt reaction, ❤ done without wanting likes. Thank you for your service, you are beautiful all the best from the UK x

[@Lady_Vengeance]

Lovely authentic reaction and nice to see an active duty military person’s perspective on this experience. Wanted to point out though that the expression “crocodile tears” means fake crying, or pretending to be sad. And I don’t believe that you were pretending :)

[@Mighty_Oregon]

9 1/2 years in the Army. I volunteered and did one year in Iraq, Nov 04' to Nov 05'. Got lucky enough to survive multiple IED's. Stay safe and thank you for your service!

[@Piglet0126]

As a former Marine, u have no need to apologise for your emotions. This type of movie will naturally hit u right in the stomache and heart much more than the average person, your a sister of millions of brothers and sisters now in a way few can perceive, I thank you for the courage to serve our great country, stay safe, keep ur head down my sister and of course Semper Fi ,Sgt corapi, a.m. USMC

[@jesusfernandezgarcia9449]

Soldiers who feel nothing are not soldiers. They are something else...

[@gunrunner35]

Semper Fi my fellow Devil Dog. Well said. Well, said.

[@andrewlustfield6079]

Very well said---former 101st. And to all who served or are serving---thanks

[@Piglet0126]

@@andrewlustfield6079 HooHaa! 101st is one of America s premier units always always In the middle of the hurt!!

[@EricKoch-s5b]

Thank you for serving. My dad was in the Navy on a Destroyer escorting troops across the Atlantic. He was one of the first radar techs.

[@SuperShifty22]

"I'm not emotional I'm just HUMAN" Well said

[@spencergwin9454]

Yeah, people act like emotions are somehow bad......Like you'd rather be an automated robot or machine?

[@jasonjukes6899]

Thanks for your service and respect shown to those on those beaches. As a stoic 57 year old English man, I still tear up over the many reactions I have watched to this film. I believe it is human decency and compassion to be affected by the film.

[@martyjones984]

We all suffer PTSD, some much worse that others, but we all suffer. Most of us have it from survivor's guilt. We see so many of our comrades fall, and have no understanding of why we survived. Your service, and all of our military, is greatly appreciated. Thank you for this reaction.

[@JohnSandovalesq]

This is still the hardest intro to a movie I've ever seen in my life. I had the same reaction as you did when I saw it in the theater opening week. Thanks for serving, from a USAF. retiree who works as a civilian with the Army, also currently deployed. Gotta love those Green Beans ice teas. Edit: The lead actor is Tom Hanks, based on your young age I'm guessing that you know his voice from Toy Story where he played Woody.

[@gnomesaiyan1680]

This Steven Spielberg guy's all right. He should make more movies.

[@eralia]

what else has he made 👀 i haven’t heard of him so he can’t be THAT good (hehe)

[@gnomesaiyan1680]

@@eralia JAWS, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Schindler's List, among at least a dozen other classics

[@eralia]

@@gnomesaiyan1680 i think i’ve only seen jurassic park, and even then i barely remember it bc i was very young (like 6 years old) 😅 i need to culture myself!

[@fastecp1]

Yeah, that was funny; you can always tell when someone really isn't a big movie watcher 🎭

[@realitycheck5376]

@@fastecp1 Yeah, years ago I almost wouldn't have believed it but I have since met quite a few people who don't even watch TV or hardly do so at all. With the way the world is now I say they are the smart ones and are really better off for not doing so. Lol.

[@Adamsthoughts-zz5kn]

After crying all your make up off your still beautiful!❤ luv u dear, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

[@davidward9737]

Thank you so much for serving. US marine here. Every life I took, I was taking my own life. Also my great grand father was from Kyiv. It was Russia back then. He saved my Polish great grand mother. That was Jewish. They fled to the USA.

[@MrTech226]

Now, Russia trying to annex Ukraine any means necessary. Thank you and your great father for your service.

[@davidward9737]

@@MrTech226 thank you as well. For the love you have in your heart for a stranger. I appreciate that.

[@MrTech226]

@@davidward9737 You are welcome!

[@jkbowers56]

Semper Fi.

[@sportschool3537]

@@davidward9737 The thing is that soldiers serve their country but war serves only itself... anyone that thinks what's going on in Ukraine right now has anything to do with justice or freedom is naive... it's all about money and money alone... tons of innocent people and soldiers dying for "their country" only cause some fucktard behind a desk has been ordered by big money corporations to wage a whole war to make them richer... it's all about money and it's ALWAYS about money... the only difference between ancient wars and today's wars is that back then the greedy fucktard (the King) was present at the war so there was a risk for him that he could lose his life... nowadays, the leaders are sitting behind a fucking desk ordering thousands to die while they're counting dollars, rubles (Russian currency), Euros, Chinese Yuans or whatever other fucking money currency that can make them rich without risking anything himself... that's how easy war has been made in the modern world for those assholes But freedom and democracy in this world have flown out the window looooong ago... I know you're a soldier and you're doing your duty but always remember one thing... don't throw away your life so some fucking asshole can get richer... it's not worth it and it's not serving your country at all, war serves ONLY itself and the ones that are to profit from it.

[@rickwelch8464]

"Tell her I was with the only brothers I have left". As a combat vet who never went through anything like WW2 folks this hits me hard. Can't imagine.

[@vmgr234]

Your reactions were the most honest reactions I have seen in a while. Don’t be embarrassed. They show your humanity. As a former Marine, I encourage you to look at the videos from the Fat Electrician. He covers a lot of US military history. Semper Fidelis and Slava Ukraini! This and Band of Brothers are some of the most realistic depictions of war. It is not romantic. It is brutal.

[@mack7882]

Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Masters of the Air, Hacksaw Ridge. All essentially true stories of the men in WW2. Being an old man, these men were my uncles, fathers of friends, and my father. God Bless.

[@aphextwin5712]

I’d add ‘Dunkirk’ to that, though it is not about a single story but more about one big story told by following individual stories.

[@AKDA101]

I was part of the 101st I'm old now and done with my service. I hope things where you are at, don't go hot. Shit can go sideways and from 0 to 100 in seconds. My prayers go out to you and your brothers and sisters. God bless you and keep your head on a swivel stay safe.

[@nornog]

thank you for your service stay safe, the world needs more people like you

[@dachecker79]

No, we do not.

[@lancecarley7411]

​@@dachecker79yeah the hell we do

[@Gerhardium]

@@dachecker79 Hey look! A Joe Rogan style contrarian!

[@donhimmelman1736]

@@dachecker79 ass

[@KaiserKiller]

Women like this make me glad I got out of the navy when I did. 12 years was plenty. They wanted to replace us all with diversity hires? Well, you got it.

[@someAholeComment]

I worked at a theatre in south FL when this came out. There's a large retirement community here, and every WWII vet came to see this. The number of old men coming out of that theatre 5 min in, shaking, and crying was shocking. This opening put them right back on that beach with no warning. I was an ignorant punkass teen back then. But the fear I saw in their eyes... I didn't see the old men standing there. They were the terrified boys that stormed that beach again. The weight of it hit me like a ton of bricks for every showing. Some scars never heal. And there is not enough thanks in the world for the sacrifices they made.

[@dalesmith3504]

That scene when their mother receives the news always gets me.

[@chris93703]

That is probably the most powerful scene in the movie.

[@charleshartley9597]

Same here, friend.

[@ronweber1402]

That one rips my guts out every time. All I can see is my mom if she ever got that kind of news about one of us.

[@matta2399]

the only scene that gets me more is when Ryan asks his wife to tell him hes a good man, tell him he lived a good life.

[@sportschool3537]

@@matta2399 Imagine living with such a burden for decades... knowing that some people (and not random people, people you've met and they had no obligation to die for you, they weren't your parents of close family) died so that you can live and have a family... it's nuts, it's insane. There's a line in the movie Troy by Odysseus which holds all the wisdom when it comes to war... "war is young men dying and all men talking" which I would only rephrase to fit the modern world to "war is young men dying and rich men profiting" or "war is poor men dying and rich men profiting".

[@Jplusk200]

Bless you for your service. Stay safe.

[@Nomad-vv1gk]

Capt. Miller said he taught at Thomas Alva Edison High School. That's was Spielberg paying homage to Thomas Alva Edison High School in Philadelphia, PA. 54 former students from that school were killed in action in the Vietnam War, more than any other school in the nation.

[@r2d2rxr]

You’re such a good and emotional person. This was a beautiful reaction.

[@raymonddevera2796]

Steven Spielberg said it correctly at the Academy Awards, " this was a bunch 18, 19 and 20 year olds and they saved the whole damn world."

[@StaraPakaSk]

When these 18, 19 and 20 year olds did the fighting, America was 90% White, now it's probably around 55%. Doesn't sound like saving the world to me.

[@MaverickMalone-ex4nm]

And now governments are destroying it.

[@ffjsb]

There were a LOT of older guys too. Don't forget them.

[@avengemybreath3084]

Well they didn’t but they did fight some bad guys

[@masteryeom]

@@avengemybreath3084 Calling the Nazis "some bad guys" is wild, the genocide (6 million jews killed during the holocaust) and the massive war they waged, where around 75 million died. Guess you slept through history lesson. The world you know today wouldn't be if it wasn't for the sacrifice the men and women made during WW2.

[@51tetra69]

Thank you for your service in the military! God bless you and keep you and protected from wherever you may be stationed!

[@rayvanhorn1534]

Eralia....you have one of the most sincerely beautiful hearts. God granted you an empathetic & lovely soul. The world would be a much better place if there were more people like you. As a fellow veteran I salute you. Deployment is stressful no matter where you are, & I did 24 runs .. shortest being three months. Was a flight mechanic/crew chief...C130s, so we worked with a lot of units including the H60 guys... good bunch. Met a ton of Airborne, SOF etc & dropped them in a hundred places across the globe. Great bunch of guys. ---As for this film, what an epic piece. My grandfather & great uncles were in both the European & Pacific theaters. Didn't say much but they were part of history. These men of that Greatest Generation are my heroes. Thank you for the respect you show....God bless & be safe. (I second "Band of Brothers"...& add "The Best Years of Our Lives" which is also amazing.)

[@MrTech226]

Ray 1st thanks for your service, Eralia has a kind heart and empathy. She tries to apologize for her laughing that I know it is her coping mechanism. My uncle served in the Navy for 12 years active and 8 years reserve. He was recalled right after 9/11 for active service. Then he returns home after his assignment ended. (My uncle stated assignment was classified until it ended) Assignment was to patrol the area in Port of Jacksonville monitoring shipping travel in and out of the port. Plus, I agree with you on Band of Brothers as you grandfather & great uncles are the greatest generation.

[@bengreen6980]

Yep. Gets me too every time I try to watch it again. While those that remain are still with us I try to say thank you for a life spent in freedom. British RN Vet of 22 years service.

[@scottdarden3091]

You will love the 💯 True story of Desmond Doss in Hacksaw Ridge 😊

[@LiberPater777]

One can argue it's not a true story... Seeing as they actually left the craziest stuff he managed to pull off out 😅

[@chriscote8441]

@@LiberPater777it is true. They had to play down what Dos did because they thought no one would believe it

[@rkstevenson5448]

@@chriscote8441 Yes. That was his point.

[@chriscote8441]

@@rkstevenson5448 and? I was reiterated his point in a slightly different manner.

[@Stubbies2003]

@@LiberPater777 Uh no. While it is very true that they only covered a fraction of what Doss did that doesn't make it a "not true" story but an incomplete telling of a true story.

[@singularitywatch]

Outstanding reaction! Thank you for taking it serious.

[@marke8323]

Thank you for your service Hon! I served in a Combat Support Hospital (46th CSH) and my Unit was the one that treated the "Black Hawk Down" casualties, set up at the Mogadishu Embassy a dozen years after I ETS'ed. I never saw combat but I believe this must be one of the most realistic war movies ever. My best wishes and thoughts to you, come home safe...

[@geneaikenii1092]

What a very good film. I remember when it hit theatres, back in the day. What a great storyline, stellar cast. with some superb acting. Your reactions to it throughout....beautiful. Those poignant tears....beautiful, as well. Thank you for selecting this great Hollywood WWII film. They sure don't make em like this anymore and Tom Hanks, he is just on another level, altogether. We want to take a moment here to thank you and all our military service personel for the hard work and personal sacrifices given in the line of duty. We love you all and thank God for what you people do in the preservation of this great country. We thank our military for the oath taken by them to preserve, protect, and defend our U.S. Constitution. By so doing we have you to thank for the preservation of the liberties and the freedoms which we enjoy everyday. God bless you, Eralia. Big shoutout to you from this old, longhaired, Southern boy in the mountains of East Tennessee. Wishing you a nice evening. Much peace and lots of love, Eralia. See you on the next. Later.

[@JoyoSnooze]

This film is an absolute masterpiece, but I have to give special mention to the sound department. The atmosphere they put you in is just.. unreal.

[@eralia]

i second that. what id give to see it in a theater, but i’m not sure id want to relive the movie again!

[@StopReadingMyNameOrElse]

@@eralia They screened the movie for WWII vets and many walked out of the opening scene because of its accuracy.

[@Patriot218S]

I saw this in theatres when I was 15 and it shocked the hell outta me. I joined the Army right before 9/11 and proudly served this great nation in war. God Bless America and stay safe over there 🇺🇸

[@steveg5933]

I was a Navy Corpsman, I served 10 years, 8 with Marines. I saw this on a Tuesday afternoon. There were 12 of us. Myself, and 11 others, all veterans. At the end of the movies, the house lights went up. All of us had teary eyes. One old man stated the following- "As far as war movies go, that was the most accurate depiction I've ever seen . As for the ACTUAL D-Day, it didn't come close" His hat said it all- D-Day Survivor, Purple Heart. I have always deferred to his expert opinion. As bad as you think it was as shown in the movie, it was much, much worse. They simply could not film it 100% realistically. I also reccomend Band of Brothers (& it's follow on documentary We Stand Alone. Toghther) , Hacksaw Ridge, We Were Soldiers and The Pacific. That said, I'd also recommend you wait until you get back home to watch those.

[@jkbowers56]

Can't thank you enough for being there for my brothers, Doc...

[@whatever-gg2qs]

Semper Fi devil dog

[@chipmares2636]

Thank you for your service .. This is why they are called the GREATEST GENERATION. Most were just kids. The bravery is unreal.

[@blizzywilk]

Thank you for your service ma'am. Although I'm from the UK, I know that if you fight for freedom anywhere, you fight for freedom everywhere. ♥️

[@skiptrace1888]

I served in Iraq, 2006, as a nurse in a combat support hospital. And I totally identify with your emotional response. I saw the wounded and the dead, from battle, and trauma from those who sacrificed their lives to save their brothers. Those raw emotions are always with me. Thank you for your service! And thanks to all those who have served!❤🎉❤🎉

[@onthelam]

Barry Pepper's character is left handed left eyed but is using a right handed bolt action rifle so he has to reach across to reload. I always liked that detail.

[@Ryan_Christopher]

I’ve always thought Barry himself was a Leftie, like Mark Wahlberg. Tom Cruise shoots rifle with one hand and Pistol with the other hand. It’s weird because only your dominant hand has better Trigger Control.

[@rkstevenson5448]

I'm left-eye dominant, though I'm right-handed. Had to learn to fire my rifle left-handed, it was just easier than trying to retrain my eyes to focus differently. While the M-16 and M-14 weren't such a pain in the ass to fire left-handed as the Springfield, the number of times hot brass ended up in my chinstrap or down the front of my shirt were many, and they were *not fun*

[@adambydand1214]

This was an authentic aesthetic in the film. Back then, there were no left-hand bolt M1903s.

[@TerryYelmene]

Eralia- Thank You for your service. I served as well; US Army '80-'84. This movie serves to memorialize those service members who have been rightfully called the 'greatest generation' from meeting the greatest challenges any soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen have ever faced down. Eralia... the heart you've shared here, makes me proud that YOU and your buddies have picked up the challenge, the WWII vets have laid down for us all.

[@AvilaDreamer]

Thank you for your service, Eralia. 🥰 And for your palpable emotion throughout your reaction. An amazing movie. And, yes, it gives you a lot to process and ponder deeply about. Appreciate you, hun! 🙂

[@chitownlivingston7007]

Andy Stumpf is a retired Navy Seal Development Group (DevGru or better known as Seal Team 6). He has a podcast called Cleared Hot. When he first started his podcast, he interviewed Jessica Lynch. Andy was on the team that saved her. You should watch it. Andy has also appeared many times on the Joe Rogan podcast. Amazing.

[@CaddyJim]

You didn't recognize the German Captive until Upham shot him, but he was the one who shot Captain Miller who spared his life earlier in the movie

[@guym2222]

Common error, I made it when the film came out - GI haircuts and similar build, but the first guy was regular Army, the second SS.

[@smellsnoice3648]

​True, i thought the same thing for the longest time​@@guym2222

[@Rick-jf6sg]

"Steamboat Willie."

[@dsembr]

@@guym2222 The common error is that the man who killed Mellish was the man they let go, Steamboat Willie, when it was in fact an SS soldier. The man who shoots Miller is Steamboat Willie, not the SS soldier who stabbed Mellish.

[@guym2222]

@@dsembr Exactly.

[@joaoluizfonseca6914]

this is such a pleasant surprise….. I LOVE this movie, one of Spielberg’s masterpieces this movie is a must watch for everyone, it’s a life lesson

[@oldnumber5866]

Thank you for your service, I did 6 years Navy and always felt weird when other people would say that to me. The worst thing for me while I was in was the mind numbing boredom of standing Port and Starboard watches (6 hours on and 6 hours off). After a couple of weeks of that you don’t even know what day it is. If you ever make it to Normandy I really recommend going to the Normandy Beaches Cemetery. You can also tour the Omaha and Utah beaches there, the French people hold those places in reverence. Take a little break from war movies and when you’re ready again watch Hacksaw Ridge about a US medic named Desmond Doss.

[@slin2678]

This movie definitely hits different for those who have served and I can tell by your reaction vs civilians. Thank you for your service.

[@Stonewall-j5j]

God love strong women who still retain their heart !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@celtic13666]

Loved your reaction to Blackhawk Down, & this one. Really hope you'll react to "Lone Survivor" & "Band of Brothers" to keep with your theme of military movies based on real events. Also, thank you for not hiding your emotions, we need more people to share their honest emotions publicly. Much love to you, stay safe & stay strong.

[@Stridsvagn]

Thanks for your service! I could recommend a lot of war movies... Lone Survivor, Hacksaw Ridge, Enemy at the gates, Fury (!!), Zero dark thirty, American Sniper...

[@reddevil3387]

There's an old saying. "The true soldier fights not because he hates the people in front of him, but because he loves the people behind him."

[@krisfrederick5001]

This is your official obligatory "You MUST see Band of Brothers" comment. It's a 10 hour Saving Private Ryan in quality. Hanks and Spielberg were just beginning with this masterpiece. They trolled us so hard by the eye fade in the intro making us think Private Ryan was Captain Miller. Well played. There are a million things I could say and corrections to be made but I won't. It can and will speak for itself. Honestly the hardest scene for me is the knife fight at the end. Despite all of the amazing effects it's just far more intimate and shows the pointlessness of War.

[@ronweber1402]

That knife fight between Mellish and the German soldier is a hard watch. It's so visceral and real.

[@marksardakowski4323]

Hacksaw Ridge is also awesome. You did good. By the way I am alive because my Grandfather survived Omaha Beach. Thanks for your service. .

[@rkstevenson5448]

I saw this a few days after release. I was stationed at Fort Lewis at the time. A buddy and I went to the theater in Tacoma, and I'd venture a guess about three quarters of those present were active duty or veterans. You could hear sobbing from the very start. I saw one older man get up and leave maybe ten minutes in. He didn't return. The rest of us sat there and watched, and cried, and when my friend and I left we were completely silent, as was everyone else. We all tried not to look at each other. Just straight ahead, trying to get away from that theater as fast as possible. But you caught glimpses of wet faces and people wiping their cheeks. We got back to the car, and my friend and I looked at each other and he simply said "I hate that movie." I completely understood what he meant. I love this movie, but it isn't an easy movie to love.

[@josephbradberry4089]

Thank you for your service and your movies review. I enjoyed your realness. Also, we look forward to your homecoming. Blessings!

[@Istanbul0687]

"Not even worthy of shooting"? I think you misunderstand that scene with Upham in the stairs. First off, the German soldier, clearly as you saw, had just been through a brutal hand-to-hand fight with Mellish, an experience that forced both of them to confront their most primal instincts to survive. By the time he meets Upham, he’s probably (at some level) emotionally and physically drained. War dehumanizes, but in that specific moment, he still recognizes the humanity in Upham. It’s like a silent acknowledgment that, for this brief second, neither of them are the enemy-they’re just two men stuck in this nightmare. It's nothing personal Upham, meanwhile, is frozen, paralyzed by fear, guilt, and the horror of the situation. He's not some heroic figure, but he represents another, very human reaction to war-one that the movie doesn’t shy away from showing. A lot of people judge Upham harshly because they expect him to act like the soldiers around him (soldiers that also did very stupid things and getting themselves killed, like Captain Miller and the unnecessary assault on the machine gun). But Upham is an embodiment of the contradictions of humanity during war. While the other soldiers have mostly accepted the brutal reality and desensitized themselves to it, Upham hasn’t. He’s still clinging to some form of idealized humanity and morality, which is why he's struggling so much. In that moment, the German soldier doesn’t look at Upham with disgust or even judgment, maybe because he recognizes something familiar-fear, helplessness, or maybe the moral hesitation of someone who hasn’t yet succumbed fully to the darkness of war. That might be why the German soldier just walks past him. It’s not personal, and for that split second, he’s not interested in being a killer. In that regard, the German soldier is humanized too. He’s a soldier, yes, and yes at the behest of the Nazis.... but also someone capable of mercy. For the audience, looking at Upham in disgust is easy because we often expect people in movies to behave heroically, especially in war films. But war isn’t all glory and bravery-it’s filled with moments of failure, fear, and humanity in its most raw, vulnerable form. Upham’s inaction is a failure in one sense, but it’s also a reflection of how war can break people, make them hesitate, and how not everyone can rise to the occasion. He’s not a trained killer; he’s a translator who was thrust into a situation far beyond what he was prepared for, and his response is one of the most human reactions to overwhelming fear and moral conflict. And again it's a failure that people look in disgust, but for some reason we don't have the same disgust in the other failures. Again, Captain Miller brought Upham to the battlefield knowing he's only an asset OUTSIDE of the battlefield, and a liability INSIDE it. Captain Miller got his medic killed by an unnecessary raid. Tom Sizemore's character almost extrajudiciously executed one of his fellow platoon-mates (a war crime). Vin Diesel's character almost got a small child killed by a sniper by his empatheic yet reckless conduct. Ryan could have just went with the squad out of the bridge and saved everyone else in that pack while the rest waited retreated and waited for reinforcements. Yet we look at Upham in disgust for his (in)action, when he's just one of a set of mistakes that embodies the entire spectrum of humanity displayed in the movie and the squad. So rather than looking at Upham with disgust, it’s more powerful to see him as a representation of war’s ability to strip people down to their core, exposing the vulnerabilities and contradictions of the human spirit in conflict.

[@roger3141]

I have to disagree with you on several points. Captain Miller did not get the medic killed. The Germans killed the medic. That German position could have killed many Americans and it was his job to fight the war first and obey his orders while accomplishing that primary goal. Second, I do not look at Upham with disgust, but with pity. His inaction directly led to the death of his comrades. He will have to live with his cowardice the rest of his life. That's why you have training so you don't have to think, you just do.

[@Rick-jf6sg]

Two different German soldiers, played by two different actors. The guy they took captive, "Steamboat Willie," then blindfolded and told him to walk away, is the same guy who shoots Miller at the end, then is shot by Upham. He was played by Joerg Stadler. The guy who slowly kills Mellish at the top of the stairs is listed as Waffen SS soldier, and was played by Mac Steinmeier.

[@craigmiller4794]

It's ok to cry soldier. I cried at the movie, twice. I lose it each time I see one of your GEN lose it in these viewings. Thanks for serving.

[@TraceVandal]

You are one of the only reactors I've seen who didn't confuse the guy that kills Fish for the guy they let go (Steamboat Willie). Nearly everyone confuses them, including me the first time I watched it.

[@dank3823]

I have never watched a movie that was more emotionally draining as this movie. I have also never gained more respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Great movie.

[@mikealvarez2322]

The men that died in the movie just didn't die saving Ryan. Airborne troops were to hold key positions until soldiers from the beach landings linked up with them. The final battle in the movie simulated many battles in the days following D-day. Field Marshall Rommel was trying to get his Panzer units to the front to push the Americans back. The Battle for Normandy took 3 months and was costly for the US. The deadliest battle still lay ahead, The Battle of the Bulge.

[@40granite]

Thank you for your service! Great heartfelt reaction, prayers for you and all of your fellow soldiers who serve in the armed forces of our great nation.🙏🇺🇸

[@Gerhardium]

My father and uncle served during WW2 and as a kid in the 1970's I remember going to cemeteries in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands visiting their friends. 34 men from their high school were killed during the war and they were from a small Canadian town. Dad was a naval officer and aside from the trips to cemeteries the only time I remember him crying was when he heard the Captain of the ship upon which he served most of the war had died. My uncle was an engineer who fought from Juno Beach up through the Netherlands. Before he passed away, dad gave me and my brothers his notebook with a list of names and grave sites asking us to visit if we were nearby.

[@krxahfb]

I was lucky enough to go to the American Cemetary at Normandy, its extremely powerful to see the cost of war close up. The line at the end when Ryan asks his wife for reassurance that he's been a good man and lived a good life is absolutely devastating every time. Incredibly for those who have the courage and honor to serve. Thank you for your service young lady

[@Dr.Sushiii]

*SIGH* Here we go... It's an obligation that after you watch this. Need to watch BAND OF BROTHERS.😊

[@MistaMikeX]

Obligatory comment recommending The Pacific after BoB

[@LoneStar-pg4rc]

@@MistaMikeX A-Effin-Men!!

[@andrewreimer9160]

I was 15yo when I saw this movie in theaters with my parents. The first 30min were unreal. War movie or not, SPR is easily in my top 5 all-time favorite movies

[@myflatlineconstruct]

I was 20 something. Within 10 seconds, the sounds of crunching popcorn and whispers , dead silence. Like some other stories, some people quietly near ran from the theater . Definitely in my top films to move me .

[@darrylbirt6049]

As an Aussie veteran I thank you in kind for your service and also for making me tear up as well gorgeous. 😁 All the best and good luck from down under!

[@carthos4402]

During USMC Bootcamp, there are some training/drills they do close to dark where you have to run a very hard obstacle course. While you run it the DI's are firing machine, mortar, and artillery blanks all over the place.......... But the other thing they do is play all of the beach landing sounds from Saving Private Ryan over loud speakers set as high as they can go. None of the talking parts with Tom Hanks, but all of the screaming, begging, and medic calls........and all of the other weapons sounds help. The whole point was to train you not to freeze........to keep moving no matter the sensory overload.

[@DerekSansone]

Former Navy Seabee here (served w/Marines in Iraq). I rmbr artillery sims going off around us (close) while in our fighting positions on FEX. Loud, but nothing compared to real thing of course. Also, importance of taking hearing protection off sometimes to get used to noise & hopefully being able to hear instructions screamed from team leader. Training has to be is realistic as possible. Semper Fi brother!

[@Gothguy1961]

@eralia...I love your laughter on when they are on patrol, and talking smack to each other as troops do! From a veteran, thank you for your service, and G-d Bless.

[@lifeisgood1791]

Thank you so much for your service! Salute to you!

[@myrondyal6117]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE....MYRON DYAL ARMY...1964 TO 1970 VIETNAM 1969!!! THIS IS HARD FOR TO WATCH.....MYRON DYAL

[@EinsteinJo]

I hope one day you watch the Band of Brothers series it's similar to this.

[@EinsteinJo]

Also another good film you might like is Courage Under Fire.

[@pauljoncas3011]

This movie is a real gut punch. I watched it in a theater when it was first released. I thought I was going to have to walk out during the D day landing scenes. Thank You for your service to this country. Stay safe out there,Please!

[@bg7606]

I'm a former history teacher and I write history now. I'm sure your parents are extremely proud.🇺🇲🇺🇦

[@nsjohn130]

I'm not sure how the algorithm spit this out to me, but I watched the entire video. I cried when you cried. I've seen SPR probably 8 times, and it doesn't matter how many times I see it- even in this shortened format- it's devastating. Right from the beginning. I was 13 when I first saw this movie, it was probably 2001 or so. Some of my childhood innocence was lost. But, I also gained a new perspective. I am happy to see young people still watching this move in 2024. It's one of the most important films made.

[@Allsizes]

That "tell me im a good man" or whatever at the end always gets me

[@williamberry9013]

His wife asked, "Captain Miller, did you know him?" He NEVER burdened her with that memory.

[@CasparLanger]

"Steven Spielberg?" That one killed me ^^

[@robertlehnert4148]

most of the first 10 minutes of the battle was the real world experience of Charles Durring, the actor ( _O! Brother Where Art Thou?_ ) The German MG-42, aka "Hitler's Zipper" at about 1200+ round per minute, and in expert hands could lay down a cone of fire where it was impossible not to be hit, and in the confines of a landing boat, a single round could pass through several human bodies. Allied troops learned the only way could could advance against an MG-42 was while the crew was putting in change of barrels (which they had to do after about 170 rounds to keep the barrels from melting from the extreme rapid fire). That meant troops had just SEVEN seconds to advance before hitting the dirt again while the MG-42 filled the air with another stream of 8mm bullets.

[@Timmayytoo]

I saw this in theaters and that is an experience I will never forget - that opening scene on Omaha Beach just pummels you, both physically and emotionally. I've never before or since seen a theater full of people all walking out quietly sobbing.

[@darkphoenyx27]

I remember when this hit theaters. You'd usually see some people in the hallway right after the Omaha Beach sequence, just trying to process things.

[@Ryan_Christopher]

Peak Era for THX-equipped Theaters, before Dolby sound systems like Atmos took over.

[@randyharmon717]

Sometimes movies can truly bring the real reality of war to your living room or theaters. Prior to deploying to Vietnam watching the news as a youth I had no real understanding of actual combat watching the tv series combat it’s a picnic armed conflict is as real as you can get it this movie brings back memories that yeah it can get you to cry like a baby. Excellent movie the older generation that I got to speak with that served during World War 2 I can see why they’re considering the greatest generation. Thank you it should never be forgotten never.

[@nathanburr]

This movie, like the military, really puts you through the ringer at the beginning in order to prepare you for what’s coming.

[@Eric-tj3sg]

I made a point of not watching this in a theater. I still had to stop 3 times the first time through. Those of us who have watched our brothers and sisters die and fired our weapons in combat will never leave it behind. This film is brilliantly done. Anyone who ever is in a position to send someone else to combat needs to watch this unedited. Eralia, thank you for your service. Stay brave and stay safe.

[@scottmercadodrummer]

Great review. I can’t believe it didn’t win best picture. Thank you for your service Eralia.

[@amusedmarine7402]

It lost to "Shakespeare In Love"..... SERIOUSLY????

[@spencergwin9454]

@@amusedmarine7402 Was never gonna win. Surprised it was even nominated in the first place. Possibly biggest travesty of voting for an award show (which, in the larger scale, means absolutely nothing)

[@edb6690]

Thank you for your service from a veteran, son of a Vietnam veteran and the fathed of a combat wounded veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.I gad 4 uncles who were in WWII. This movie was really hard to watch thinking of what they through.

[@blueskies3060]

Hey, @eralia! Thought you might like to know that the actor who plays Upham in Saving Private Ryan also voices Baldur in God of War 2018. His name is Jeremy Davies. Really cool.

[@eralia]

wow that’s a super neat fact!! thank you for sharing, loved that game!

[@jordanwindham3804]

And Ryan Hurst, the soldier who'd been deafened by a grenade and told them where Ryan was, plays Thor.

[@blueskies3060]

@@jordanwindham3804 oh sick!! Didn’t know that.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

He's also in "Twister" and "Nell" with Jodie Foster.

[@renedavids6154]

My father was in the war and woonded. My mother almost died of hunger. And they never told about that period. Anyone who does'nt cry at this movie don't know what it is , but ont he other hand i'm glad for them. This movie is ao f*cking real. I was in the army myself and know what it is about brotherhood and friends. You learn about the value of life. And still there are wars going on. What's wrong whith the human race. Love your reaction and honestly. Great acting and scenes. Please take care of yourself and stay alive, for your family and friends.