Saving Private Ryan * FIRST TIME WATCHING * reaction & commentary * Millennial Movie Monday

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iMPORTANT TIME STAMPS:
Preview review: 00:00 - 01:13
weird story about a Saving Private Ryan skit: 01:14 - 3:09
Intro Resumes: 3:10 - 4:15
Watch With Me: 04:16 - 41:25
my review: 41:26 - 45:26
Full list of Movies received/watched:
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*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners.

[@raydurz]

Saving Private Ryan was inspired by the deaths of the Sullivan brothers, all of whom died when their ship was sunk in WW 2. I think they had a surviving sister. There's a ship USS The Sullivan's named after them.

[@awkwardashleigh]

holy wow - I had no idea that this was inspired by a true story.

[@iKvetch558]

This movie was much more inspired by the story of the 4 Niland Brothers...it is basically an alteration of that basic story.✌

[@joelbyrnes6946]

@@awkwardashleigh It's inspired by a true story but not the Sullivans, it was based on the Niland brothers. Fritz was a paratrooper who dropped on D Day and was actually sent home after his three brothers were killed (one was actually taken prisoner by the Japanese and survived the war) Stephen Ambrose wrote briefly about them in Band of Brothers, which Speilberg read and inspired him to make Saving Private Ryan and later make Band of Brothers.

[@ebaker1968]

There's a movie from the late 40s about the Sullivan Brothers. I think it's called The Fighting Sullivans. Pretty good.

[@paulhewes7333]

@@awkwardashleigh Actually, the Niland Brothers were the direct inspiration for this. Frederick Niland was in the 501st Regiment of the 101st Airborne (and Niland knew several of the 506th, 2nd Battalion, Company E members ("Easy Company" from Band of Brothers). During the work on "Ryan", Hanks learned about Easy Company and decided to make the "Band of Brothers" mini-series.

[@paulfeist]

If you want BIG tears... When Spielberg had finished editing this movie, he premiered it for his crew, some friends, and some WWII Veterans. Halfway through that rough opening few minutes, he saw several of the WWII vets walking out. He stopped the film, and went out to the lobby... fearing they hated the movie. There were these old men, breaking down crying in the lobby.... it was TOO real for them, after 50+ years, it was too close. Every time I think about that, I tear up. I've never looked at an old guy wearing a WWII Veteran cap, or pin, the same again after watching this movie.

[@sallyintucson]

Within a week or two of this movie coming out the VA was swarmed with WW II Vets asking for help with PTSD.

[@jamesfalato4305]

We All Should Thank The Veterans AND Their Families!!!

[@stephanieellis5399]

The realness of this movie, as harsh and shocking and triggering as it was (is), actually helped a lot of WWII veterans. They said that they were finally able to talk about their experiences because there was a reference point in the movie, it was a place to start the conversation. Where they hadn't been able to describe what they'd experienced they could now show it. And for those who were triggered and their PTSD, which had never really been treated they'd just learned to cope (some well and some incredibly poorly) resurfaced they finally, actually, got treatment for it. At least, this is what I understand, what I've heard.

[@toca-thatonecrazyaunt4102]

I fully believe that at least the first half hour of this movie should be required viewing for high schoolers. There are too many young people who have no idea what their grandpas or great grandpas went through. You can’t fully appreciate that which you know nothing about.

[@YourBeingParanoid]

Tom Hanks - Philadelphia

[@chrisconversino6294]

Ashleigh, something to note, Mel Brooks is a WW2 veteran. He went thru all this. He even went thru the Battle of the Bulge and being surrounded and cut off by the Nazis in one of the coldest winters on record. During the battle, he would sing rude songs about Hitler over a loud speaker to entertain our troops and demoralize theirs. The rest of the time he was a mine sweeper, clearing mines from roads and fields. One of the world's funniest writer/directors is also a certified bada$$.

[@liamfitzgerald7217]

Another WW2 veteran was James Doohan,most famously known for playing Montgomery Scott, or Scotty if you will, on Star Trek. Doohan was a sniper who killed 2 German soldiers before being shot and being discharged due to injury. One of his fingers was shot off during the battle and he was also shot in his legs, back and arm. He survived thanks to a cigarette box gifted to him prior to his departure.

[@wyrmshadow4374]

​@@liamfitzgerald7217 think Doohan was on Juno Beach. He was a DDAY veteran.

[@Johnny_Socko]

Rod Serling, creator and host of "Twilight Zone", was a paratrooper in WWII. His humanistic POV that came across in so many Twilight Zone stories (and other works he wrote) was well-earned.

[@dwaneanderson8039]

Frank Sutton, who played Sgt. Carter on the show Gomer Pyle, was actually in the US Army. He fought in battles in the Pacific theater, including Iwo Jima.

[@vapoet]

@@notbono3870 Jimmy retired from the reserves as a Brigadier General in 1968.

[@testfire3000]

I remember when I first watched this movie I HATED Upham for his cowardice. However, I have never served, I have never stood in those shoes. As time goes by I have realized what a brilliant character study this is in the middle of this magnificent story. Five out of five stars indeed!

[@mrhorrorgaming6909]

Watch again and watch his transformation in the way he carries his rifle. From the beginning where people had to tell him to watch he points it, to the end after he kills the guy.

[@alanmacification]

In WW2, a study of the US infantry ( excluding elite units ) in showed that in combat one third of their troops never fired back, another would fire back sporadically, and the last third could be counted on. By the Vietnam war, 90% of infantry could be counted on to return fire immediately, just through proper training.

[@ryanmcwilliams8784]

Everyone always hates up ham but I always think to myself, what the fuck would I do? I can’t see myself doing hardly anything different. He wasn’t trained for action and just got thrown into the meat grinder.

[@HT-io1eg]

You’re a better person for realising this. Unless you’ve been there, you can’t know how you’d be. I haven’t. Fear and the reality of war hits everyone differently. My grandfather was in the first war. Fought through unutterable horrors at the Somme and Ypres. Watched his friends torn to pieces. 15 days to advance 2 miles. 57,000 casualties in one day. Never talked about it. We found his letters after he passed. ‘I have near lost all my friends’

[@testfire3000]

@@HT-io1eg That is heartbreaking! What is the old saying "There but for the grace of God go we"? I was too young for Vietnam and too old for all the middle east conflicts that came after. I count my blessings, so to speak. (funny, I am super *not* religious but used two different religious expressions in one post. Oh well, lol)

[@GordoFunk555]

Upham is representative of many of the soldiers who fought in WWII, a bunch of young, scared 18-20 year old kids right out of high school who did not want to be in combat and were not ready to handle the horrors of war. Plus, Upham was simply a translator and hadn’t seen any combat up to that point. It’s easy to want to hate his character for letting Mellish and some of the others die, but there is a ton of realism at the same time to probably how many of those soldiers really felt.

[@banzi403]

nothing real about this film.

[@GordoFunk555]

@@banzi403 go home bro, you’re drunk.

[@banzi403]

@@GordoFunk555 fyi my dad was in the 1st Canadian parachute battalion and jumped on d day. I grew up listening to first hand accounts from him and his legion buddies. So yeah Ggi joe saving a bridge too far with his tommy gun and dirty socks is a joke in my eyes

[@kingamity1985]

@@banzi403 my dad invented a jetpack and owns Nintendo. Bet you can't top that hrm

[@banzi403]

@@kingamity1985 Spr is the cleopatra of war movies.

[@roberthughes2402]

Ashley, "Is this movie gonna make me cry?" Yes. Yes Ashley. This movie makes everybody cry.

[@paulfeist]

Everybody with any humanity in 'em....

[@Drax514]

Except she didn't even cry lol. Zero tears.

[@DoctorShocktor]

Except she didn’t actually cry, so what’s the point of your comment?

[@brandonhill2183]

She was too busy talking, making jokes, and having ADD moments to immerse herself into the movie.

[@LexyThomas134]

​​​@@brandonhill2183 Did you watch the ending? Or just to the end of the movie? She described it perfectly so she was definitely paying attention the whole time. She's caught things that most reactors didn't even talk about at all...or missed entirely

[@GlennWH26]

The tragedy of Upham is that he was a kitten surrounded by tigers. Everyone else was either a Ranger or paratrooper, with extensive combat training as a unit, and for some, actual combat experience. Upham was a National Guard clerk. In combat, two things keeping you going- training and your bonds with the men around you. He had neither. So, dropped into the insanity, he froze. Just for a minute or two. And he'll carry those minutes for the rest of his life.

[@NZBigfoot]

Its a natural human reaction, you have fight or flight, but sometimes the flight can be so strong or the situation so inescapable you simply freeze into a catatonic state, even other animals have similar reactions... even if your brain is screaming to act, it refuses to do so for your safety. People kinda react unfairly negatively to his actions in that bit, but I can bet 1000$ any of them in a similar situation would do the exact same thing... they often forget the sensory overload that would be happening around them. If you arent numbed to it, your basically screwed.

[@Caseytify]

To the devil with him. His cowardice got men killed.

[@clg0003]

Why the "National Guard" comment?

[@marianne5055]

Reactors always seem to hate him for being cowardly but I find him to be such a realistic character. A lot of people would freeze up in that situation. It easy to sit there and judge him, yet I bet a lot of people would do the same thing if they were actually in his shoes and in the middle of battlefield facing death head on. It's natural for your self preservation to kick in.

[@hancock63]

@@clg0003 Upham is wearing the shoulder patch of the 29th Infantry Division, made up of the Maryland and Virginia National Guard.

[@tomaskennedy]

The guy who plays the sniper is Barry Pepper. He was the young guard in The Green Mile. Also, despite the fact that he plays Southerners in both, he’s actually Canadian!!

[@banzi403]

didn't know that, disappointed

[@rhondapease8516]

When my son was in high school we went together to see this movie in the theater. Before the movie started, an elderly gentleman with a younger woman sat in front us. The gentleman turned around and asked me if I could see okay. So nice of him! When the movie started he started crying and leaned over on the woman. Then I heard my son sobbing and the four of us all cried together. Yes. Thank you to all that served, is serving and will serve. I am so thankful for my freedom.

[@banzi403]

good thing you didn't sit behind me. I let out a very loud "what the fxxx" when hanks called monty an idiot. Wasn't shy about being vocal with my opinion of this film after that.

[@DonnaCPunk]

If you ever choose to do a series, I'm sure Band of Brothers will be recommended to you. A production by Spielberg and Hanks, based on the true story of the 101st Airborne, 506th Easy Company. Also, thank you for the Tom Sizemore tribute. I've been a fan since the 80s and he had a tough road, with addiction and relapses, etc. Spielberg wanted him in this movie to the point he told the studio he'd have Sizemore drug test daily, since the studio didn't want to take a chance. Sizemore agreed and the entire time of the shoot, he was clean and sober. Never slipped and proved Spielberg's belief in him correct. RIP, Tom. You left behind incredible work.

[@MikeB12800]

Band of Brothers is my favorite television series. I think it’s the best series to ever air on tv,

[@marniejane11]

Band of Brothers is an incredible series. Heartbreaking but such an incredible story.

[@raymond9016]

@@MikeB12800 Does it dehumanize Germans the way this movie does?

[@herr1375]

@@raymond9016 Not all. In fact in one episode, they have real life WW2 veterans who talk about the very fact that the common German soldier weren't bad people, were just doing their job, and, in different circumstances, they could have been friends. This is just one small snippet. There is more throughout the series.

[@AphonicRoar]

Band of Brothers is a masterpiece, I watch it every year. Ashleigh should totally watch it!

[@grahamers]

You are now legally required to watch the mini-series called "Band of Brothers." Imagine if Saving Private Ryan were 10x better. That's Band of Brothers.

[@dnf-dead]

From the earth to the moon is another good series made by Tom Hanks

[@macmcleod1188]

And mostly true too. One thing about Lt. Dike. He earned medals for bravery... including saving the lives of easy company before Foy and he was shot in the shoulder at Foy. So keep in mind BoB is the faithful retelling of what easy company *remembers* and reflects their dislike of the outsider, Lt. Dike. See : "Lieutenant Dike military record Band of Brothers"

[@slightlyaverageamerican9664]

Band of Brothers is now a must-watch. It's a long series. So just watch it without the camera. Maybe do a review after.

[@catherinelw9365]

@@macmcleod1188 All false. No record of what you say.

[@DoctorShocktor]

@@catherinelw9365Well Saving Private Ryan never occurred either and was showing a totally insane mission that would never have happened, in order to show the soldiers protests and sacrifices. Such is movies I guess.

[@kenehlears7716]

Taking care of the dead was done by a group called graves registration.a thankless but terribly important job.the opening scene was shot at the American military cemetery just off Omaha Beach .visited there many years ago,a sad but awe inspiring place.

[@thomastodd6262]

everyone talks about PTSD, but the ending scene here is making a point about survivor’s remorse.

[@captbrownbeard1599]

The hand shaking is a sign of PTSD. He was continually assigned tough missions where he saw lots of death. You can only see and experience so much until your body starts showing physical symptoms of your mental trauma

[@jfk767]

It's also a natural reaction to adrenaline.

[@brandonlynch5910]

In 1944 it was known as Shell Shock.

[@ididthisonpulpous6526]

PTSD, maybe, but extreme stress over the long term definitely. Even outside of direct combat action when I was in the Army and deployed you would have guys who had been going too hard too long and start showing cracks. Little twitches and quirks. I would get just intense muscle soreness in my neck and side from just working and doing guard duty or transport security multiple days in a row. For the entire 15 months I was in Iraq I "worked" 6 or 7 day weeks 12 hours most days. If you were lucky you would get more down time if you were doing security, but sometimes you didn't get more than 12 hours and back at it. Setting aside the psychological toll, which often only catches up when you are back in the world, the physical stress of doing that stuff and being forward and lacking a chance to properly relax is drastic.

[@jfk767none4]

Come to think of it it's also a sign of fatigue

[@DonnaCPunk]

@@brandonlynch5910 it was "shell shock" in WWI. It was rebranded "combat fatigue" in II.

[@gallegosm1000]

Band of Brothers is usually a must watch after seeing this. Definitely check it out.

[@bjorns131stpa2]

Ashleigh, I haven't seen this question answered yet so I'll do so. You asked "Who cleans up after big battles." That unit is called the Graves Registration and are a specialized branch of the US Corps of Engineers. They will plan out and construct the cemetery once the fighting has moved on, record who is resting in what place and place markers until the head stones are ready to be placed.

[@sivonni]

It's so astounding that 9,000 soldiers died on that beach and someone had to figure it all out, who had died and how to bury them properly. Thank God for dog tags?

[@chuckworthy1]

Loved it. I was also in tears watching this remembering how war (Vietnam) changed my Father. He returned from the war covered in medals for Valour under fire, but he was never the same. A Young Man went off to war, someone else came back...

[@jeremyortiz2927]

Right before I went to Air Force Basic Training, I invited a coworker and good friend of mine to go see it when it came out in 1998. Mr. Paul Hyland was a WWII veteran and took part in the beach landings at Omaha with the 35th Infantry Division. I asked him if it was really like that and he replied "Not enough bodies." I'll never forget that. We kept in touch for the next several years even when I was deployed overseas. He was even able to come to my 1st reenlistment and he wore his WWII Class A uniform. It was pretty cool. He passed away in 2005 at the age of 81 and I miss him to this day and now, as a retired combat veteran myself, this movie means a lot more to me now.

[@lukeball4937]

Thank you for your service, and the story.

[@shantellakaladypersephone8671]

Thank you Sir for your Valor as well as sharing your story with us. With Respect & Care, A grateful citizen and member of a proud Military family.

[@ronweber1402]

I watched one veteran say the only thing missing from the beach scene was the smell.

[@technopirate304]

29:05 This line just breaks me down to tears everytime. “Tell my mother I was standing beside the only brothers I had left”.

[@nomedigaasi]

Ashleigh, you do a wonderful job of breaking down a movie or its scenes. I was never in the military but your last review and the reaction to Saving Private Ryan seem to have you engaged and engrossed which this movie can do with its audience. But I thought you were harsh with the character of actor Jeremy Davies who played Col. Upham. Humans have four basic emotions and from the beginning to the end that character experienced all of them. I felt Col. Upham was so brave to stand up and try to save that German soldier who was responsible for killing his fellow unit member. Or moments he ran on the battlefield but failed others because he was human. I think, whenever I see a military memorial, I wondered how many died or were wounded but we never know how many are scarred emotionally and mentally or how many take their own lives because they struggled with PTSD. Anyway, keep up the good job and God bless you always.

[@commanderwyro4204]

i always notice people getting mad at oppum for being a coward. and i understand completely. but always remember he was a writer and not a soldier. He was brought a long as a translator for the group. His character arc is honestly one of the most heart breaking as we see him completely broken by the end

[@luketimewalker]

Also the amount of times he's running TOWARDS the gunfire... none of us can say as much.

[@stephentaylor9630]

Ashleigh ... you do understand. Yes, you do. From a US Air Force veteran, please continue to be you! Don't change a thing! The world needs your laughter and beauty.

[@32ndspecialist]

FUBAR stands for f*ck up beyond all recognition.

[@ddiamondr1]

Hey Ashleigh, my Uncle George landed at Normandy with the Canadians. His best friend was blown apart moments later. He told me he could not watch this movie, it was too realistic. The bravery of these young men was astonishing. We would not have this world without them. We owe them everything

[@Psilocybin77]

God bless your uncle. As a Canadian I've always been so proud of the men and women who sacrificed so much for the Commonwealth. My grandfather was a mechanic during that day of days, and passed before I could talk to him about his time overseas. Before my friend's grandfather passed, I was able to talk to him for hours on a quiet Easter Sunday. He had served in the Canadian Navy on a Sub-hunter Corvette patrolling the frigid (and quiet) waters around Northern Newfoundland. He was a wonderful storyteller and his remembrance of Victory Day over Germany, is something I will always hold dear. I felt so privileged to have spent that time with a wonderful man.

[@circletrack7538]

You are correct sir and being a disabled veteran from the 80s it pains and angers me to see how politicians just crap on them and undo everything our brave men and women fought for under a leader that wants to destroy EVERYTHING they bleed and died for !!! Our politicians hate us our country and the freedom we fought for and love yet we are threaten our freedoms more then our foreign enemies did because it's happening for the 1st time in US soil !!! We might as well have left the South Win !!! Why not ??? The slave owners are controlling it now and evidently the slaves approve !!! Yea Yea I know I'm a racist but never had truer words been spoken !!! I just have the balls to say it you Yankee cowards !!! At this point the civil war was nothing more then a waist of life and time !!! Like the Hebrew people they were freed from 400 years of bondage but they just wait to go back to them as soon as things got a little rough !!! We freed the slaves with war and then 150 years we get trashed by their job for doing it and try to run back to the slave owner's kids !!! Stupidity is blind and bliss and welcome !!! What can I say ???

[@dudermcdudeface3674]

Tom Sizemore's career punched way above its weight class. He's in (a)one of the top five all-time war films (this), (b)the hardest-boiled crime drama of all time ("Heat"), and (c)the most insane violent social satire of all time ("Natural Born Killers"). And that's just a small sample of his high quality work. I'd also single out his smallish role as a bullying EMT in "Bringing Out The Dead."

[@EsotericOccultist]

He's awesome in Strange Days as well

[@joeblow2069]

He was a crappy human being.

[@jrus690]

To understand the stand off scene at the radar station you might have watch Enemy of the State, where he is a leader of the mob.

[@Thepitz2000]

He had an Outstanding role in True Romance too, but it was short lived.

[@robertingle9845]

Point break!

[@UnhandyCandy280]

The ending scenes in the village/town was filmed in my home town. I remember walking out of work and the ground shook and the loudest BOOM I'd ever heard, echoed across everything. A work buddy looked up at the smoke in the sky and said 'they're filming a movie at the old airfield.' We all (in the local area) mostly knew about it by then buy we had no idea it was going to be that good and that heart-breaking at the same time. Sobering to know that our guys were also just guys and got scared and sometimes got it wrong and still stayed at it to the end.

[@terryhughes9291]

Hatfield. My old home town too. Remember when they filmed this

[@UnhandyCandy280]

@@terryhughes9291 Yeah it was LOUD. I came out of the galleria and the glass shook ! That's a lot of glass !!

[@jeffinspace7668]

When you see the movie again, you can totally see how Tom Hanks character is a high school teacher and coach. He is a natural leader and knows how to watch over a young flock and remains the strongest and most determined and pushes the unit to their full potential. Something a really good teacher or coach always does.

[@RebeccaODonnell-1941]

I saw this in the theater. I’d read about the honest depiction of the D-Day landing and was worried when I saw a bunch of WWll veterans (wearing hats depicting that fact) come into the theater before the movie started. They weren’t together, sitting all over in different seats. I made note of where each man was sitting so I could run over to help if any of them freaked out or had a heart attack from triggered ptsd. When the film ended, I sat until all the credits were done rolling and the house lights came on. When I turned to leave, I saw all those veterans standing together, at attention, in the back of the theater. I stood and stared, it was so incredible. None were crying but all expressions were fierce. I’ll never forget it.

[@nickpate8652]

of all the things that never happened, this never happened the most.....

[@JJfromPhilly67]

Thanks for sharing your memory.

[@Walter_Sobchak_43]

My first time on this channel. It was a great rewatching experience with her. You can tell that she had a real father (not a daddy) and has brothers. Her husband is a lucky man.

[@johannesbowers7467]

In a dangerous, traumatic situation, people will have one of three reactions: FIGHT, FLIGHT, or FREEZE. Very relatable and clearly a masterpiece. Yes, as everyone else says, "Band of Brothers" is a series must. Words to live by for EVERY Soldier: FUBAR, BOHICA, SNAFU, DILLIGAF

[@tammieollivier5382]

My grandfather was in the war and at the battle of the bulge, and he made it home.. my mom was an infant when he left and was two yrs old when he returned. I will forever be thankful for his sacrifice and the sacrifices of every soldier ♥️

[@JJfromPhilly67]

Amen.

[@knightleeb3606]

My grandfather was in the leading force that liberated the soldiers at the bulge. I am very thankful his sacrifice and lucky he made it home, because my dad wasn't born until the 60's.

[@tammieollivier5382]

@@knightleeb3606 that’s awesome!! I’m thankful to ♥️

[@Frozen_Smoke1972]

If you ever decide to delve into a series for the channel, Band Of Brothers is an absolute must. Pretty much everybody who was involved in the making of this had a hand in making that.

[@rasczackfishes]

That would be amazing. A great idea here.

[@vincentvangoad]

They consider 1941 by Steven Spielberg a flop but I legit believe it was just too ahead of its time. Too chaotic for the year it came out, but by today’s standards, it’s perfectly fine. I remember going to see it with my family as a kid and had the greatest time. One of my favorite childhood movie going experiences.

[@davidwoolbright3675]

Love that movie!!

[@davidwoolbright3675]

Love that movie!!

[@davidwoolbright3675]

Love that movie!!

[@davidwoolbright3675]

Love that movie!!

[@davidwoolbright3675]

Love that movie!!

[@jasoncamps77]

On a different note, I had a relative who was a mechanic in WWII and wrote an unpublished book about his time in France. He never allowed it to be published, but the manuscript was passed amongst the family. He didn't see a lot of fighting, but the stories of what day-to-day life was like was something I never could've imagined. I'm very grateful later generations were spared that experience and I'm hopeful we don't ever have to relive such a time. With what's going on in Europe right now, sometimes it's hard to hold on to that hope.

[@luketimewalker]

Respectfully, if your family one days feels like sharing, Amazon allows you to auto-publish, and you can even order as many printed hardcover copies as you want, even just one. Maybe the time he took to write it deserves to be read outside of your family. Cheers, from a Frenchman - and MERCI

[@ahronlong9846]

The end when he says ‘tell me I’m a good man’, gets me every time.

[@bothellkenmore]

Every time

[@chrisking6667]

Wades speech in the church about ignoring his mother and pretending to be asleep resonates with me. I try to live my life knowing any word said or unsaid, any action taken or un-taken could be the last. The regret in Wades eyes when telling that tale has forced me to always appreciate.

[@Th3Downz]

Same here. That scene has stuck with me the most since the first time ever watching the movie. And clearly there are a lot of memorable emotional moments. I've probably seen this movie 10 times in its entirety and Wade talking about his mom makes me well up every time.

[@luketimewalker]

Spielberg did us one hell of a favor.

[@BennySax]

My father was a participant of this invasion, serving in the Canadian forces who landed on Juno Beach. He never talked about his experience but he did get injured on three different occasions, always going back in action. His last injury on his foot was a lasting impediment; he always had to ware a brace to allow him to walk. Since he never talked to us about all this, I never understood the kind of impact he would have lived thru until I saw this film. I just wish I would have been able to talk to him, but unfortunately, my dad passed away before this film came out.

[@nickperkins8477]

You got it exactly right. No matter what story Steven is telling, he puts 100% of everything into the movie.

[@AlanYoungIII]

Few people understand how someone can be so scared they can't force themselves to move ... they can't go forward or backwards. They can't even shit themselves. Your mind is screaming "GET UP! MOVE!" and ... you can't. I cannot express how much I appreciate @awkwardashleigh's take on Upham.

[@vms77]

OMG... I forget that the first Ryan was Nathan Fillion... how nice is to be a great movie director and work with a bunch of amazing actors in every role of your movies...

[@izzonj]

Oh gosh, he looked familiar but I couldn't place him as Mal!

[@richardb6260]

I didn't know Fillion when I first saw the film. It's only something that's apparent in later viewing after Fillion made a name for himself.

[@spangelicious837]

Mal's backstory we never got in the show. 😂

[@mrkelso]

@@spangelicious837 To me, he's Castle. Who's Mal?

[@spangelicious837]

@@mrkelso Malcolm Reynolds, his character in Firefly. Castle actually has several references to Firefly. 😁

[@jasmineoldham2989]

This movie and Schindler's List are amazing movies I have to force myself to watch but it's all worth it. The messages and the history there are really no words.

[@scottvanhille5688]

RIP Tom Sizemore. He did a good job at being the sergeant. Another Tom film that I highly recommend is Enemy Of The State (1998) with Gene Hackman, Will Smith, and Jon Voight. Great cast in this war film, in my opinion, this is the best depicted World War II Omaha Beach tribute out there. When this came out, I heard many veterans walked out the theater because of how realistic it was, and it reminded them when they were in combat. Nice reaction Ashleigh. Thank you to all the veterans and other personnel who served during that time. Fubar in this movie meant messed up beyond all recognition. I played the Playstation game Medal Of Honor: Frontline that was modeled after this movie and I tell you the scenes of war were crazy.

[@Ryan-dl9uw]

And black hawk down

[@EsotericOccultist]

Check him out in Strange Days if you haven't seen it

[@tiphanieshaw2535]

When my now husband and I went to see this in the theater, there was an elderly couple sitting a couple of rows in front of us. I could see him clearly squirming in his seat through the entirety of the opening beach scene. When they used the flamethrower on the bunker and the burning people began jumping from the opening, he sprung up and rushed out of the theater sobbing loudly. That was the moment I understood why my grandfather never spoke about his time in the service. Not just his time in the war, any of it.

[@TheAlmaward]

FUBAR is an acronym that stands for "F'ed Up Beyond All Recognition." A lot of military things have earned that title. :) Also, speaking of Speilberg movies that are real, important, and heavy, but good, please react to Schindler's List.

[@Aboz]

I second Schildler's List. That movie affected me so deeply that, although it was important to watch, I don't believe I could bear to view it a second time.

[@FromRussiaWithLuv007]

and yes. it is another movie that will leave you a mess

[@calibre97]

I'm a bigger fan of Catch-22's SNAFU because it's more prevalent and usually precedes FUBAR.

[@calibre97]

Forgot: SNAFU is Situation Normal, All F'cked Up.

[@scyz2807]

The "F U" can be represented by "Fowled Up", but since when do soldiers use polite language?

[@violetpup4272]

I wanted to see this in the theater but was the only movie my parents told me NO!! I was a younger teen at the time and knew a lot about D-Day because my dad read and watched everything about it but this movie did such a great job at showing the horror of it. Schindlers list is another movie everyone should see but it’s not a pleasant movie. Spielberg has done some AMAZING work and the actors all step up and do phenomenal jobs.

[@shortybarnesyanik]

That back story was hilarious!😂 I also grew up in a very religious, very strict and sheltered house! My dad was and still is a Baptist pastor! So I get what you are saying 100%!! I got married at 25. I still had an 11 curfew up until the night before my wedding!!!

[@kilwrath]

This is the male version of the tearjerker film, like Fried Green Tomatoes or Steel Magnolias is for most women. I don't know a man that doesn't shed a tear watching this masterpiece of storytelling. I didn't even get through your viewing without tearing up multiple times. Spielberg celebrates the men who fought to save our world from fascism while never glorifying the violence of battle - in fact he's given us a powerful cautionary tale that doesn't shy away from showing us the true horrors of war. I'm so glad to see that it still resonates for the younger generations. Thanks for sharing your experience watching this incredible piece of cinematic brilliance, Ashley!

[@Myrdden71]

Saw it in the theatre when I was 27. Couldn't talk when walking out to my car. Sat there and cried for 20 minutes, then called a friend because I just couldn't be alone right then. Watching this reaction video is the closest I've come to watching the whole thing again, and it's almost too much even now that I'm in my 50s.

[@markcainyourfriendinthecar3387]

We took my grandfather to see this when it first came out. He walked out after that opening battle in tears. He never would watch it again. Aside from my granny passing away, it was the only other time I saw him cry. He said he lived that day and that it brought back so many memories for him.

[@virginiapudelko6280]

Not only is this based on a real situation from D-Day but the way it was filmed, the content and how it was shown are so true to the way it really was that WWII veterans had one of two reactions....tears or long past horror or gratefulness for surviving while finally explaining what had happened to them. My own grandfather NEVER talked about his days in the service during WWII. A friend of mine's father was a D-Day veteran and suffered from the trauma for the rest of his life.

[@jonathanross149]

The scene that gets me the most is the mom collapsing on the porch watching the army representative approach.

[@elzar760]

That scene, and Ryan at the end, “tell me I’ve lived a good life, tell me I’m a good man”. Niagara Falls.

[@davekundrath2202]

Gets me every time, 😢

[@WRam-fo2sc]

I saw this movie on opening day. The opening sequence had me glued to my chair gripping the sides. And at the end when old Ryan tells his wife "Tell me I'm a good man" I cried. That line of please tell me I've lived up to the sacrifice my brothers paid for me. Heavy indeed. Thank you to those who have served and their families.

[@awkwardashleigh]

Heavy but so real so many.

[@DoctorShocktor]

But as many miss, particularly on KZbin, the point of the movie is that the mission WAS a huge mistake and actually would never occur just to save one ordinary guy. The horrors of war and sacrifice were the focus here and the tacked on hokey prologue and epilogue were soundly derided by critics. The “rescue mission” would never have been ordered and the soldiers in the movie are correct about it being a mistake.

[@Harv72b]

@@DoctorShocktor The point of the movie was to remind the audience of what those in "The Greatest Generation" sacrificed for the rest of us, while a few of them were still alive to receive our thanks. The prologue and epilogue were neither "hokey" nor "soundly derided by critics." They were a necessary element added to further humanize the story and add to the emotional impact felt by the audience, as well as (hopefully) inspire audience members to ask themselves if _they_ had truly "earned it".

[@ystava686]

Time for Band of Brothers

[@nickperkins8477]

Saving Private Ryan should have swept the 1999 Oscars.

[@elizabethpeters3153]

I loved your story about the skit! So silly! Thanks for the content. Looking forward to seeing more from you!

[@dkev001]

I saw this at the theater. You cant even imagine how much more intense this movie is with a theater sound system.

[@steveleeart]

Yea I probably saw it three or four times in theatres.

[@Ozefan2580]

Same. I spent the first sequence (of the beach landing) sitting in my theater seat, protecting the back of my neck because I felt so vulnerable. Some of the most intense moments on film, ever.

[@Shovelheadtard]

Same. When it was over I realized I didn't even eat my popcorn or anything.

[@dabear2438]

My Dad was a corporal in WWII (97th Inf, 303rd). He loved this movie. It meant a lot to him... and he meant the world to me. He passed on in 2012. Sure do miss my best friend.

[@danielhaynes2373]

I'm barely into your reaction and I'm already loving it! I served in Iraq but my mother's father served in the FIRST World War (WWI). He never really spoke of it and I can imagine why. Two totally different wars. I didn't have to go through anything like he and the soldiers represented in this film (WWII) had to endure. God bless them ALL‼️🇺🇲

[@tmatthewnielsen]

Upham was a guy who made it clear from the beginning he wasn't cut out for this kind of mission, was all scatterbrained and nervous fumbling with his typewriter and stuff, said he hadn't fired a weapon since basic training, said whilst being chosen for the mission that he wasn't ready for this mission, yet Miller is like "lol, you're coming with us anyway." Cut to the battlefield days later and he's overwhelmed, mentally shut down, and unable to act upon the situation he's in. It's almost as if he should had told them from the beginning that he wasn't cut out for this... Was he really the only available translator in the area?

[@williamwoll4703]

A famous phrase for Morphine is "One to kill the pain, two to kill the patient". The medic knew he was dead because his liver was shot up, so his request for the second shot was a request to die quickly.

[@grahamers]

To be clear, the scene where the German soldier surrendered and they are considering killing him is important. You say it doesn't matter that he surrendered. It does. It would be a war crime at that point to execute a POW. We wouldn't want our soldiers being executed if they surrendered, so we don't do it to POWs we capture. Don't think that it's OK. It isn't.

[@awkwardashleigh]

OH! see - I didn't know that. Because I just thought it was one guy trying to save his OWN skin after all this other teammates had died.

[@MysterClark]

@@awkwardashleigh Well, he certainly was trying to save his own skin (as we all would) but there is actual reason why we don't kill people like that. Sort of the same thing where cops will arrest someone who will probably get the death penalty instead of just shooting them on the spot. That's for the court to decide later. Same on the battlefield. Once someone becomes a prisoner then they have to get sent back to a camp to most likely wait out the rest of the war. The problem with the situation in the movie is they couldn't actually take him prisoner (not enough men and they were on a mission) and it'd be a war crime to kill him. Sadly, that still did happen plenty on all sides. Lots of people were tortured and murdered.

[@DoctorShocktor]

EXACTLY. Poor Ashleigh and other commenters miss the point entirely of the earlier mercy and then the corporals’ mental breakdown and loss of humanity when he then kills the solider who is now a prisoner again. Takes a maturer point of view that can be missing or take some time to develop in viewers.

[@txaussie1983]

Was just rewatching this reaction and I still have huge respect for how you acknowledge the service folks and the things they go through. I'm not a vet but lots of family are and I just wanted to say thanks. ❤

[@Sigma0283]

@Ashleigh Burton The first 20-30 minutes of the movie is the closest we would ever get to experiencing the Invasion of Normandy. My granddad served in the Army during WWII and he landed on Omaha Beach three days after the battle. He rarely ever spoke about his experience during the war, some veterans just wanted to forget they were part of it. One day (Long before Saving Private Ryan was even an idea) while my parents were visiting my grandparents, my dad and granddad were in the living room and my dad was flipping through channels trying to find something to watch and came across a documentary on D-Day and they watched it a bit until my granddad stood up and said "They've got everything right except for the smell. He walked out of the living room and never spoke about it again. It wasn't until after he passed away that I learned he served in WWII. Now that I'm older and after seeing many documentaries and movies, I've gained a better understanding why he refused to ever talk about being in the war.

[@jculver1674]

For me, the line from this movie that really gets me is when Ryan finds out his brothers are all dead and he says, "I'm all alone." I lost my only sibling to cancer when she was in her 30s and that's exactly how it felt. Like for the first time in my life, I was all alone.

[@the.seagull.35]

I haven't lost immediate family to death... but have been estranged to everybody for a while. Family, friends. You guys are not alone. I know how it feels too. Jesus is with us always.

[@nicknoga564]

Just remember that the German which Upham defended was just an ordinary soldier. The war wasn’t his idea and the crimes of his government weren’t his doing. In all likelihood he was drafted into the army. He surrendered after he realized he had no hope (which is the only time soldiers ever surrender). Executing him after surrendering may feel right in the heat of the moment… but it’s morally wrong. When enemy soldiers execute american POW’s we view them as monsters… so it’s important to avoid going down that road.

[@andromidius]

Not the only time. Sometimes soldiers surrender because they don't want to fight for what they see as the wrong side. Its happened thousands of times in Ukraine - many Russians forced into uniform surrender the first chance they get, they have no interest in dying for a bad cause.

[@KrGsMrNKusinagi0]

but it was normal to do it in the war.. Japanese often got it worse than the germans ever did regarding this behavior

[@libertatemadvocatus1797]

Also shooting POWs makes surrender less likely and more likely to lead to pointless death on both sides.

[@ryanhampson673]

That soldier was SS….All volunteer (Until the very end) and they had to be vetted of being of “Aryan” stock. You had to be a true believer to be in the SS….So that soldier was a true believer.

[@kaijudude_]

​@@ryanhampson673 This. That German was in the Waffen-SS they committed atrocities and war crimes everywhere they went especially on the eastern front.

[@ejbd19]

Watching this in the theater, surrounded by sniffling and crying vets was the single most emotional movie watching experience of my life. Some of the vets got up and left cause it was too much. This movie gets me every single time 😭

[@maximillianosaben]

Ooh lord, if Ashleigh has seen this film (in particular that opening beach scene), she must surely watch the brutal and devastating but necessary, Schindler's List. That is a must see of Spielberg's filmography, and regrettably, a movie that deserves to be seen just for history's sake.

[@christopherking4932]

Awesome reaction, definitely a timeless classic that will live forever.

[@deadmeat5150butt]

I can't not cry when I see this movie. Every... single... time. I've lost too many of my brothers and sisters in arms over the years and it really makes this hit so much harder the older I get.

[@Tyler-yn5xe]

The opening scenes are some of the most realistic ever shot. And the time when Tom hanks has the feeling like everything is in slow mo, is known as fog of war and the depiction is very realistic

[@AdamB12]

Arguably one of the best war films in cinema. Few other movies show just how brutal and visceral war truly is. The film explores so many themes throughout such as Upham being unable to shoot at the moment of truth and face the enemy.

[@torontomame]

The soldier on the beach, holding in his insides and screaming "momma!", absolutely destroys me. Every single time.

[@bernie472]

I'm 47 now, saw this in the theater, and the end still makes me cry. No shame Ashleigh.

[@rickcoona]

"Graves Registration" are the guys who "clean up" after all the shooting and dieing is done the solders have two dog tags, one is put in a sack to be transcribed into books of he Dead that go to "the War Department"( later remained the DOD) the other is jammed between the teeth of the dead with a swift kick to identify the body (or skeleton) for later burial. it is a grizzly task. WW2 Vets who lived through this say the battle scenes was nightmarishly accurate. *FUBAR* means "F*cked Up Beyond All Recognition

[@Dextroyer77]

About Upham. He's an office clerk. Never used his gun outside of training, as he stated. Which has one obvious implication : he never killed. So when you see him petrified in these stairs, sure there might be some fear (he's the one you're supposed to identify as, after all), but he's also torn between letting his comrade die, and soiling his soul by killing someone. So later, when he shoots that one German soldier, sure it's satisfying, but it's also the moment he "breaks". I've seen a comment saying the alternative title for this movie could be "Breaking Corporal Upham", and I think he's absolutely right.

[@jxchamb]

This movie was so intense on the big screen. You really need to watch Band Of Brothers next.

[@zom8979]

Agreed its so worth the watch

[@ScreamingTc]

I remember the muted atmosphere as everyone walked out of the cinema after watching Saving Private Ryan. There were a few hushed conversations, but most people seemed to be trying to process what they'd just seen. The film is 25 years old now, so it's impact had been lessened with time, but when it was released no one had seen anything quite that visceral.

[@MysterClark]

Required viewing.

[@spursfan99]

Band of Brothers and The Pacific

[@troythompson1768]

​@@spursfan99Agreed. After having finally gotten around to watching The Pacific myself (I've never had an HBO subscription until I got a free trial to HBO Max recently) very recently, I think The Pacific definitely should follow any watchthrough of Band of Brothers.

[@garychambers6848]

My father served in Patton's 3rd Army 42-45 (687th FAB)....Thru Normandy, the battle of the hedgerows, Battle of the Bulge... Bastogne ...One of his last duties in Europe was helping "clean up" Buchenwald concentration camp in the spring of 45....He brought back pictures he took there.....He saw A LOT....

[@pulkmees]

Every single reactor: "Is that Vin Diesel?"

[@jamesmckenzie546]

When this movie first came out on DVD. I got it so my grandpa could watch it. He was one of them that landed on Omaha beach on D-Day. After the movie was over we sat up all night and he told me all about his experiences in the war. He was and always will be my hero.

[@Fat_Kids_Jiggle]

I remember reading something when this first came out, a bunch of WWII vets saw this in theaters and were in tears because it was so accurate

[@shakycam3]

Many of them were re-traumatized and had to leave the theater. There was a dedicated phone line for them to call and the numbers of vets requesting PTSD therapy went sky high.

[@Fat_Kids_Jiggle]

@@shakycam3 I believe it 100%

[@ericsainte290]

I can really understand your reaction. Myself I went to see it in the theater on November 11 and nearly threw up thrice during the first 8 minutes and was in tears at the end. When I came out, I told to a friend who was worried by my face being really pale that "more realistic than that is landing on Omaha beach back on D Day". I always had an immense interest in WWII history due to both my grandfathers being in the resistance during the war and my dad's mother being deported to Germany but luckily escaped just before being transferred to a concentration camp. Now, I understand why they never told us about it : it was still too painful to them after what they had seen... (i discovered my mum's dad was in the resistance only after my grandma died by finding a picture of him in uniform sporting a rifle dating from 1944 - he was a messenger for the resistance in the area around Liège, Belgium). I had already huge respect for the veterans and for the armed forces, but after that movies it grew even bigger ! Apart from Band of Brothers, other really good movie about WWII are "A bridge too far", the duo "Flags of our Fathers / Letters from Iwo Jima" and lately "Daultness" (on the Battle of Midway - the story of Dick Best), which one I place right there with movies like Tora Tora Tora and "Das Boot".

[@Cybrludite]

The big metal things on the beach are called "hedgehogs", and are intended to stop tanks. Incidentally, they got the sound of the near misses *right*. First time I watched this was at a friend's house, with a top tier sound setup. First snap of a bullet going past, and I was cussing while trying to get under his coffee table. (I've been shot at a few times as a civilian, both by accident & with intent.) I spent the rest of the beach scene squirming & flinching.

[@erincosta565]

If you want another real Steven Spielberg masterpiece, watch Schindler's List, if you haven't seen it already. The part where Oskar Schindler breaks down after it's over and regrets not saving more people makes me cry every time.

[@jessicatennis5318]

That should be the next one!!!

[@davejennings9460]

I agree. She needs to find the time to watch it.

[@frankthespank]

God that ending to Schindler’s List is gonna wreck her. It wrecks me and I’m a hard ass, she’s gonna get messed up. That scene where Liam Neeson cries that all the stuff around him could of saved “one more” gets me every time, Ughh…😢

[@thomaspappalardo7589]

That movie took me two years to watch in its entirety. I stopped partway and couldn’t face it again until lockdown.

[@wampatan9]

Hacksaw Ridge is also another amazing war movie. It was based on a true story and had several elements left out because it was deemed too unrealistic despite being actual events.

[@GrosvnerMcaffrey]

Truth is often stranger than fiction

[@jfk767]

Yeah they had to dumb things down a bit but that was as much for time as anything. One story that I always thought needed to be told as a major motion picture was the story of Raul (Roy) Benavidez and his Medal of Honor battle in Vietnam. Roy was a great man who deserves greater recognition for his actions.

[@PowerDiva]

You definitely should check out Hacksaw Ridge.... also a war movie that's based on a true story, but what I like about that one is that it spends the first half of the film focusing on the main characters and their stories. By the time they get to the war zone you are invested and each scene hits very hard, watching people you now feel like you know trying to survive on the battle field. I don't want to give away too much because I think its better if you go into it without knowing much.... but after watching many of your reactions I KNOW you will love that movie and the story behind it.

[@Verity_Auger]

RIP Tom Sizemore. Such an awesome performance.

[@markehrlich9862]

Ashleigh ,I love your channel. When I saw this in the theater my wife was constantly whispering to me during the battle scenes, "Are you OK?", because I'd recently retired from the Army [20 yrs, Airborne Ranger] and had shed and taken blood for our country. But this movie had even more significance for us, a few years later. In 2004, we received that "knock on the door" to tell us that our son had been killed in IRAQ.

[@dabear2438]

❤

[@TexasVeteranPatriot]

Hoo-ah, brother. RIP young bro. 🙏❤😢

[@shantellakaladypersephone8671]

Standing in solidarity with you and your family. Thank you and your son for your Valor and sacrifices.

[@jeffking887]

Oh my God. I’m so sorry. Our son was Marine Corp and I know that dread. We never knew the fact, but we knew our son’s best friends family who did get that knock. Bless you

[@frankthespank]

He died a hero so that all of us can live free, thank you for your sacrifice and I am terribly sorry for your loss. I bet you think about him every day ❤️…. May he Rest In Peace 🫡

[@davidhoward6254]

The conversation he has with his wife at the end implies he may have never told her about the sacrifice that was made in order to bring him home. That's one of the saddest parts for me, in that so many war veterans carried the burden of what they saw and did internally in order to shield their loved ones from having to know about the 'fog and friction' of war...great movie, great reaction.

[@banzi403]

That's why they spent so much time at the legion

[@MetalMcfly]

This movie is so significant it was chosen in 2014 by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Film Registry for preservation. It will stand the test of time for many future generations. IMO it is the greatest war film ever made in regards to WW2. Masterpiece.

[@edm240b9]

Couple of things to answer: 1. Those metal things guys take cover behind on the beach are known as Czech Hedgehogs. They are anti-vehicle traps designed to funnel armored vehicles into a killing zone. 2. Flamethrowers were a big weapon used by both sides in WWII. However, at Omaha Beach, no flamethrowers were actually used during the assault. This is because the operators were landed as regular infantry and the heavy equipment (ie their flamethrowers) would be brought in by the third wave. By the time that happened, the defenses around Omaha were more or less secured. 3. An typical US rifleman would be allotted to carry up 10 en bloc clips for his M1 rifle (Vin Diesel’s and Matt Damon’s rifle), each clip holding 8 rounds. Plus the one loaded into the gun, that’s 88 rounds on tap. That’s, however, just Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Guys could carry more ammo on them and it’s dependent on the firearm you have. Tom Hanks’ Thompson submachine gun, for instance, would usually come with 5 extra magazines for it. Plus the one loaded in the gun, that’s 180 rounds. 4. The German “tank” is called a “Halftrack.” It holds up to 10 men, plus the machine gunner and drivers. It’s meant to deliver squads to the battlefield whilst covered from small arms fire. 5. I say this on most channels about Upham. He’s a noncombatant that is basically attached to the WWII equivalent of a special forces team. Miller’s unit, the 75th Rangers, were originally trained by the British commandos. Those guys laid the foundation for special forces teams we know today. Upham is what happens when someone who is not trained for fighting sees the horrors of war in such a short time. Had Miller’s previous translators not been killed beforehand, Upham wouldn’t have gone on the mission. His job is to translate documents, not kill the enemy.

[@thegingergyrl455]

I saw this in the theater opening day. Total silence during the film, especially after that horrific opening. I saw older men crying. A couple just left. It was too much. I held my husband’s hand and watched with wide eyes. My respect for the military was deepened that day in ways I can’t put into mere words.

[@musicloverchiefsfan5410]

Ashleigh, I love your channel and your reaction to this movie! I am a Veteran of Desert Shield/Storm and I come from a family of servicemembers. My oldest uncle passed away a few years ago - he was at Pearl Harbor on 07 Dec 1941. He was awarded the Purple Heart and he never talked about what he witnessed that day, not even to other family members that served. He sometimes talked about the other campaigns he was in over in Europe, but never about Pearl Harbor. Thank you to all veterans and to their families! 🙏

[@Pengi_SMILES]

My Grandad was in the British Army in 1940 and was captured as part of the rear guard outside Dunkirk. He spent 5 years in a POW camp in Poland before thankfully being liberated. He never spoke of any of his experiences with anyone other than occasionally with fellow veterans. I think sometimes that's the only way you can cope with the things you experience. It's important to never forget the sacrifices these people made.

[@gregmax1321]

My pops was in 24th MEU during shield and storm much love to you & your uncle

[@musicloverchiefsfan5410]

@@Pengi_SMILES Yes! It is important that we not let the sacrifices be fogotten. I can't imagine Dunkirk! That was a very perilous situation. Thanks to him (and all the others) for their service, and thanks to you for sharing the story. God Bless.

[@musicloverchiefsfan5410]

@@gregmax1321 Thanks for your support. I know there were Marines doing a lot over there espcially as it was transitioning for Shield to Storm. Thanks to your pops for his role and the men and women serving with him. Thanks also to the families also - they often sacrifice in unsung ways. Thanks for sharing!

[@Aeonova]

Love this and it's real AF. Glad to watch your reaction.

[@kittygoblin2377]

I have my own trauma story regarding this movie. Watching Ashleigh's reaction today gave me a safe way to come back to this. I loved the reaction and I've been inspired by reading all the honest comments about the realism and honoring how serious it is. Read no further to avoid tragic backstory. I was sheltered, like Ashleigh in many ways, except my parents were hippies. My mom only let me watch educational or PG rated stuff and only after she watched it first. To be fair, I was a sensitive kid and was homeschooled. My first year of public school was in 5th grade. I was 10. It would have been just over a year after 9/11 (mentioned for relevance of jaded student populace). Picture low income, well populated area in northwest GA. My social studies teacher played this movie for the class during our WW2 unit. She didn't send home permission slips. If she had, my mom would have pulled me out of class. So I had no warning before hand. Once the first scene started, I knew pretty quickly that this wasn't something I should see. I tried to ask to leave and tell the teacher that I couldn't watch it. I was definitely crying. She told me that if I didn't be quiet and watch the movie then I would fail the day's participation because it was important for us to understand what the soldiers actually went through. Then she pointed to the rest of the class, who were staring at me for making a scene, and said that everyone else was clearly fine so I would be too. I sat back down and watched the whole beach scene and didn't make a sound. The most surreal part was how everyone else really did look fine, and I couldn't understand why I was the only one that took it seriously. My mom called the school and raised hell when I told her what I saw and what the teacher said. But nothing came of it. None of the other parents complained. I had that same social studies teacher for the rest of the year. And for reasons I still don't understand, I drew her a picture and told her she was my favorite teacher at the end of the year when I really hated her. I had nightmares for years, and I've avoided this movie at all costs ever since. It's 20 years later. Now I don't feel alien for crying. It was still hard to watch, even in a KZbin react format. I'm glad that I can look back and understand it now. Thank you Ashleigh, for the amazing video and sharing your story with it. Hope you don't mind me sharing mine. Addendum before anyone judges my mom. She totally made mistakes, some more egregious than others. But she always, always came to bat for me when I needed her. And she has supported every decision I've made and every thing I am. We have a pretty great relationship as adults and I don't take that or her for granted.

[@shelnsville]

Your teacher was inappropriate in forcing a group of grade school kids to watch a violent R-rated film w/o parental consent. I could maybe see showing it to high school students, but kids under age of 16 may not be emotionally equipped to deal with it. I love this movie but if I were a parent I’d being raising hell.

[@shawnmiller4781]

Wow…no permission slip. Frankly though I think your teacher had a good concept But I would say that the wartime film Battle of San Pietro by John Huston would be a better choice. Edit: My high school history teacher had us was Tora Tora Tora and Patton

[@luketimewalker]

I would agree with your teacher, but with people 15+ - not 10 year old. But otherwise, she was right.

[@MST3Killa]

My dad actually pulled me out of school to go see this movie in theaters. He said it was probably more important at the time than what I was going to hear in class that day anyway.

[@Matchgirl42]

Yeah. D-Day was...a lot. And FUBAR is a military term which stands for "Effed Up Beyond All Recognition." It basically means plans or a situation went tits up. Also: I was working at a manager at a little 6 plex when this came out, and everyone came out of the auditorium afterwards just full-on sobbing. ALSO, another movie about D-Day you should watch: The Longest Day (1962) Also: Spielberg did War Horse as well, about WW1, and it's a great film as well.

[@Bill-en7kw]

I learned not to say tits up, but say Tango Uniform

[@michaelhoward142]

Every human being needs to see this movie to gain at least SOME understanding of how horrible and pointless war is. Those who have experienced battle deserve our respect and gratitude.

[@jrus690]

War is part of our history, but you are right that one day we might realize its pointlessness and therefore will stop doing it.

[@asperhes]

Spielberg's point was not that war is "pointless." Far from it.

[@banzi403]

If they deserve respect, why does hanks call monty an idiot?

[@actualkarenokboomer3158]

Tons of soldiers, like my dad, started smoking during the war. Sometimes it was their last cigarette for good. They ate when they could eat and it was water in the canteens most of the time.

[@FanboyFilms]

9:16 That's not a flask, Ashleigh, it's a canteen. He's just drinking water. He has the shakes due to the adrenalin and the trauma of the beach landing. The shakes persist probably due to the weight of responsibility that he bears. I'm sure he wishes he could take a nip of something, though!

[@Berainish]

My uncle was in WWII, said this movie is accurate, little-known fact actor James Doohan who was the original Scotty from Star Trek was on Juno Beach

[@MrDeathpilot]

He also lost the middle finger on his right hand. Not many are aware of this because he kept it hidden from the cameras.

[@DaviniaHill]

Neither of these are little known facts.

[@MrDeathpilot]

@@DaviniaHill They're "little known" to anyone who isn't a Trekkie. 🤨

[@calipidgious]

This movie is a masterpiece and so moving. That said, for me, Stephen Spielberg's absolute best movies are Schindler's List (Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson are astonishing) and Empire of the Sun with a very, very young Christian Bale in his first movie role and John Malkovich who is always stellar. While you can't go wrong with any Spielberg films, those two make my butt hit the sofa every time. I hope you eventually get around to them. Everyone on earth should see Schindler's List at least once.

[@arndnaj]

One of my favorite lines was the soldier who said, "you are, sir," after Hanks asked who was in charge. Another great bit was the soldier screaming, "let them burn!"