*Saving Private Ryan* is a Masterpiece! (First Time Watching)

[@DosCavazos]

➡ Watch our reactions to Band of Brothers: www.patreon.com/doscavazos/posts?filters%5Btag%5D=Band%20of%20Brothers ➡ Watch our reaction to All Quiet on the Western Front: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJKZhWangZWUd6s ➡ Watch the full-length watch-a-long reaction on Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/saving-private-81434086

[@rastiga9196]

While we are in the WW2 subject I would recommend Enemy At The Gates, to try and get a Russian perspective.

[@mikeymike1374]

Why don't you have any band of brothers episode up

[@mikeymike1374]

React to band of brothers and put it on KZbin

[@retromillenium]

Band of Brothers was produced by Spielberg and the same producers as Saving Private Ryan.

[@genghisgalahad8465]

Oh wow, Saving Private Ryan! That's a historic upload on the channel! Yeah!

[@nolaabroad1514]

I still think it is INSANE that Shakespeare in Love won the oscar over this.

[@mattdelay7361]

Everyone wants a love story not war

[@jamestripp239]

I was really pissed about that

[@tiago_s_]

Woke Hollywood no surprises

[@DonleyDoesIt]

​@tiago_s_ Hollywood was way more conservative at the time actually but go off 🤣🤌🤡

[@jl5574]

One of the early examples of Miramar/Weinstein campaigning, similar happened with King’s Speech over Social Network and probably others I can’t recall. From what I’ve read the campaigning was so over-the-top, everyone knew Shakespeare would win even though SPR was the most critically acclaimed movie that year, it wasn’t even considered an upset.

[@rybock]

I say it again and again... the woman playing Ryan's wife in the present gives two of the best line readings, in a well written scene. When she reads the grave marker, "Captain John H. Miller"... she's never heard that name before, clearly. That tells SOOOO much of Ryan's life since WWII, 50+ years of building a family and a life, and he never shared what happened. Then, when he asks her to tell him that he's lead a good life, the pause and glance back at the stone, because she also has no idea that he's been carrying this burden and so the question is out of the blue... Great performance for someone given 2 lines, and great writing to make that clear.

[@willcollis8316]

Never thought of that. Damn dude

[@coldflamebluedragon196]

This was Vin Diesel's first major motion picture role! Steven Spielberg himself saw a student film he did and was so impressed he asked him to audition

[@ADifferentVibe]

Vin’s best movie

[@robert84_]

yea can you imagine this being your first major movie role. Amazing opportunity and for such an important film.

[@Andy2481]

Apparently Vin Diesel nearly walked away from this movie while filming. He was finding it too difficult. Tom Hanks convinced him to stay. Not sure if this is true but thats what I heard.

[@TomBombadil89]

​@@ADifferentVibe nah you're thinking of the entire Riddick series, video games included

[@johncasey9573]

This film is for my family. Disel. Jajaja

[@Silky808]

“Earn it”, is a message to all of us. We all need to “earn it” from the sacrifices of all the men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms today. Little thing I’ve noticed from seeing this movie a million times, when Ryan’s wife reads Captain Miller’s name on the tomb stone, she doesn’t recognize the name, meaning Ryan has never talked about it. Which a lot of veterans don’t talk about it because what they experienced was so brutal.

[@rbloomquist69]

You said exactly what I was going to comment. Earn this, is for all generations to come

[@bravoone9980]

Well said ❤

[@Flernaffinor]

Excellent points.

[@195511SM]

FUBAR= F sucked up beyond All Repair...' THAT'S THE WAY I HEARD IT IN 1974 IN THE Marine Corps

[@jmoliere1207]

that and words cant exspalian

[@livvyb3583]

I remember when my husband took me to see this, I was completely speechless during the initial scenes of the Omaha beach landing, it was so realistic, it looked like a news reel. The best war movie ever made imo.

[@mezjean5966]

The frontline(korean) is an ever bigger masterpiece.

[@garfnob4832]

i remember when this movie cam out some group took a bunch of vets that where at the D-Day landings to a screening. they stated the beach landing sequence was like you where there except the smell.

[@josepablolunasanchez1283]

Still tyhis movie is like those cowboy movies where peoiple are hit and fall dead. In real footage there are people who you swear that should have died as the have missing body parts or head sections and they are screaming and asking for help desperately. Real war is far more horrendous than this movie. After seeing real footage I respect all veterans of the world. There is a deep sadness hidden in the battlefield.

[@corintibbetts-harlow8021]

@@josepablolunasanchez1283 Yeah I remember hearing that the vets who watched it said that scene was very realistic (no one had really done this gritty realistic style of WW2 film before this came out in 1998) with the one exception being that it was far too quiet, in reality all you could hear was the screaming of the wounded.

[@MrGrifter123]

@@garfnob4832 I’ve seen this same comment on every reaction video of this movie 😂😂😂you just tweaked it a bit 😂

[@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 advice. As bad as you think it was as shown in the movie, it was much, much worse.

[@gregorygant4242]

I can believe that ,in real life it must have been much much worse but couldn't be shown on the screen. These men made the ultimate sacrifice so that the rest of us could live in relative peace!

[@thomasvlaskampiii6850]

There was a man that I spoke to a lot about his experiences in the war. He was a Pearl Harbor survivor. There was so much that he told me that I can't repeat because it's too gruesome. He passed away a few months ago

[@petermcculloch4933]

Apart from the opening beach landing scene, I disagree.Rather than spread out in a protective formation, the section just meandered, in a group, across fields where an ambush could very well be set up.And as for the finale.Instead of striking the enemy in the open and using the buildings for cover, they gave away every advantage available, by allowing the enemy to march into the village, before attacking them.

[@IIBloodXLustII]

The movie portrays how the actual combat on the beach was. But it also makes it seem like it was over relatively quickly. In reality they were on that beach for hours.

[@thomascambrion4408]

​@@thomasvlaskampiii6850please tell us what were some of the gruesome things which he said?

[@jeffpiercey6605]

Das Boot (The Boat) is a German film about a German sub crew in WW2. You won’t get many requests for this one, but it’s an incredible film and should be watched.

[@berkeslaw]

make sure you see the German version with subtitles, the dubbed version is very unsatisfying

[@williamberven-ph5ig]

It is an incredible film. The book was excellent as well.

[@dudeusmaximus6793]

The part that gets me more than anything is when the mother collapses on the news of her sons' death. Grew up rural in farm country and knew so many sweet, gentle souled farm wives of that generation. Back then family was everything, losing three sons like that would have been beyond consolable and more than one could bear. Just rips your soul out.

[@busterdee8228]

That was a masterfully done scene. No need for words.

[@transamination]

@@busterdee8228 Also an homage to John Ford's The Searchers I think? The famous doorway shot.

[@Charles-bo8iy]

I feel the same way. It is the saddest part of the movie.

[@jefforymitchell5697]

@@Charles-bo8iy The saddest part of the movie was the two Czech soldiers at the start that were forcefully conscripted into the Heer, didn't shoot anyone, and were then killed while trying to explain their situation because they couldn't speak English.

[@MrBearTastic915]

When my grandfather was placed on end of life care both my brothers were recalled from Iraq where they were deployed as infantry and cavalry scout respectively for the sole purpose of saying their final goodbyes . The American red cross made all the arrangements with the army. Very thankful for their work

[@light5978]

The US army in this event was helping france, with their heroic action. Your brothers as the US army on Iraq is invading and oppressing their country cowardly. Shame on all your brothers and all the armies

[@Celinoz]

@@light5978 Listen to this clown 🤣

[@ozymandias3322]

​@@light5978you're a douche

[@Jetz316]

@@light5978 Go F your self. Don’t crap on people that were following orders.

[@rastiga9196]

@@Celinoz What we did to Iraq was despicable. We were way overpowered and our premise was BS. Yes, they had terrorists, just like every other country in the world. I hope you served to see the BS of war as well as the good sometimes.

[@kirtpurdy3796]

I saw this movie in the theatre a couple of times. I was in my 30's. Now, I'm in my 50's, and that line, "tell me I'm a good man" brings tears to my eyes. That's what all men really want to be - a good man, and to know they are.

[@atulkumargupta4774]

It's crazy that this movie didn't win the best picture at the Oscars. I think this movie can stood his ground at any year

[@LetsGetitBoah]

The movie that did win was Shakespeare in Love, a Harvey Weinstein produced movie, wouldn't be surprised if he used his influence to get the win. No way in HELL, did that movie deserve to beat out Saving Private Ryan.

[@happyapple4269]

​@@LetsGetitBoah it was rigged we know that.

[@keithgoode6313]

@@LetsGetitBoah Harvey called in his markers among the Academy voters. Yes, it was rigged.

[@darthsaren6519]

dude nobody cares about Oscars :) Time is the only decent judge. And in time everone forgot about the "winner" Shakespeare in Love which btw I saw and its an average movie. But many still remember Saving Private Ryan

[@LetsGetitBoah]

@@darthsaren6519 which is exactly why it should have won best picture.

[@SchwererGustavThe800mm]

If you aren't aware, it was and I believe still is a common practice that if in war, all sons of a family enlist and all but 1 son in a family lineage were to die in combat, the last surviving son is to be brought home to continue the family heritage. Its a matter of honor to preserve the life of the last man in the family line to continue it forward.

[@msdarby515]

Additionally, until WWII there was no such thing as Social Security or pensions and people very much depended on their children and grandchildren to care and provide for them as they aged.

[@GunnyO326]

Actually, the sole survivor policy is voluntary and must be applied for by the surviving sibling. The remaining sibling may reject the hardship discharge and should they reenlist will be ineligible for sole survivor discharge in the future.

[@GunnyO326]

@Stephen Natoli Actually it was policy prior to the loss of the Sullivan brothers, it just wasn't strictly enforced.

[@mimikurtz2162]

If you were the only son in the family you didn't get drafted? What a waste of manpower. My father was British infantry in Europe from the battle of Caen to one year of occupation in Germany. His only brother died fighting the Japanese. His mother wasn't even told his brother had died until a month after Japan surrendered, and my father didn't find out until he got home in 1946. I guess the British approach is a little more committed than Americans: soldiers die in wartime and you still have a job to do.

[@jmoliere1207]

no only one sone the oldest can servie in the millitay becuse of that thats why the recruter ask if you are an only child becuse if so you are bared from intry

[@fluoxetoon]

I'll never forget the first time I saw the opening scenes - it was July 2006 (I was a month off 14 years old) and me and my classmates and teachers were on a coach in France, for our school trip. We were literally driving to the very beaches depicted in the film, and the memorials, museums and cemeteries. I'd love to go back there one day, it was a wonderful experience.

[@DDDD-pv7fw]

On the premiere of 'Saving Private Ryan' they invited many as in several dozens if not more veterans who were on Omaha Beach(Normandy ,France) on DDay. Many of them had to walk out of the theater to gather themselves when they showed the scenes of Omaha Beach at the beginning. They said it was like the real thing all over again. Movie is based on the Niland Brothers, worth reading about. God Bless all these Great Veterans!

[@skreefgeore6983]

In real life five brothers in the US Navy were all stationed aboard one ship, the USS Juneau. The Juneau was sunk and all five brothers died. I believe because of that, family members are not permitted to serve in the same unit together, and if i recall correctly, that incident served as a bit of inspiration for this movie. edit: as nomad-vv1gk pointed out: that rule actually doesnt exist

[@mikeb4595]

Fabulous old movie about them called “The Fighting Sullivan’s” Highly recommend

[@froot6086]

this movie was more so based off of the Niland brothers, but the Sullivans probably had an influence

[@bp51082]

Five family members I grew up with spanning two generations were able to be at the same base in Iraq for a little while when they were deployed. The dad, who was fairly high up and held some swing, I believe had to pull strings for even that to happen (and none were in the same unit, and one from was from a different branch but it was a combined base)

[@bradc4695]

They mention the Sullivans near the beginning of the movie to explain why the brothers weren't stationed together.

[@Nomad-vv1gk]

It is a misconception that brothers can't serve on the same ship. There is no "Sullivan Rule" or any other restriction that forbids siblings to serve aboard the same ship. I and my brother served together during the Vietnam War. You could be randomly assigned to a capitol ship but on a Destroyer you would generally have to request the honor of serving together. That was the case with my brother and I.

[@joejackson73]

Do you recall Miller yelling "Thunder" when they met up with another unidentified group of soldiers? This was how they were taught 'friendly from enemy. The German language has no 'TH' used together.

[@drulad43]

Saving Private Ryan is still my number-one favorite war movie. 😊 I've seen a lot "like a lot" of war movies, but nobody has ever displayed better of what really war is than the beginning of this movie.

[@garfnob4832]

i like "we were solders" how it depicts so many aspects of what is going on. "Saving Private Ryan" was going for the shock value of the opining scene and they did that well. but other then that it is just ok. my opinion :)

[@joemckim1183]

SPR is my favorite WW2 movie and 1917 is my favorite WW1 movie.

[@jmoliere1207]

band of brothers

[@bradbutcher8762]

The D day scene was definitely the most brutal war scene ever for me until I saw Hacksaw Ridge several years ago. I instantly thought of Saving Private Ryan as I tried to stomach that first scene of war.

[@paulhewes7333]

Band of Brothers was made because of this movie. Hanks and Spielberg were the producers of BoB, and the story of trying to pull a soldier after his brothers died, was based on the true story of a member of the 101st Airborne (Company E was in the 506th PIR of the 101st, and the real "Ryan" was I believe in the 501st PIR of the 101st and was friends with several members of Easy, namely Malarkey and Muck).

[@stevesmall2193]

His name was Fritz Niland. He was good friends with Lipton. He was sent home just before D-Day

[@beachlife8367]

So glad you did this review. I remember seeing this movie in the theater. To hear the bullets zipping past you as an audience member: I had NEVER experienced anything like that. It was so real, it engulfed the whole room. And when that tank in the end came over the mound, the whole room was shaking, it was so loud. Wonderful movie. I have watched it more times than I can count. This and Schindler's List to me are two of the best films ever made. Great review!

[@jksgameshelf3378]

Yeah, I saw it at Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood: huge screen and amazing sound system and it was an epic movie-going experience. I feel like after seeing this you have to watch "Schindler's List" to really see why we were there and who were fighting against. All of the sacrifices by our soldiers, and the countries fighting with us, and we actually have goddamn Nazi's (or Nazi wannabes) loudly proclaiming their heinous beliefs all over this country. I'll never understand it.

[@thorbeorn4295]

Movies one has to see atleast once. Schindler's list is masterpiece.

[@CT-qz4tr]

As a kid I always wanted to join the military for some reason. I was 11 or 12 when my dad brought me to see this movie. Outside of everything I had seen so far, what spooked me the most was when the tanks started rolling into "Ramelle." The seats were fucking rumbling in the theater from the bass and it was like "alright really fuck that shit".

[@beachlife8367]

@C T YES! I mentioned that same thing in my comment. The whole place was shaking. For anyone that didn't experience it in theaters, it's hard to describe. But when that tank came over the top, it sounded like a monster or a lion. It to me was THE MOST MOVING shot in the film.

DTS.

[@BlyatBlaster]

My great grandpa was part of the assault force on Utah Beach on D-Day. I watched a lot of war movies with him, but the only time in my life I ever saw him cry was watching this movie. He sat there really quiet and repeated the names of his war buddies that he lost on the Beach. This movie depicted combat so realistically that there were D-Day vets who left the theater when it first came out because they couldn’t handle going back there.

[@rudedog2903]

Glad you could watch this with him.

[@c1ph3rpunk]

Those that landed at Utah don’t get enough credit, they had a hell of a month ahead of them, moving up the peninsula and taking Cherbourg. Then, arriving at that, hoping to gain a deep water port, and finding most of it destroyed. That had to be demoralizing, they lost a lot of men in that period. Not to mention, Utah wasn’t in the original plan, it was added.

[@cstephen98]

The troops speaking Czech gunned down at the beginning would have been conscripted troops from conquered territories. :(

[@reconsoldier135]

Pretty sure it was Czech but same point

[@cstephen98]

@@reconsoldier135 yes, you're right. Wasn't paying attention to the autocorrect.

[@Arizona-ex5yt]

There were no Czech soldiers at Omaha Beach- let alone any who were gunned down. Didn’t happen. But there were ProNazi Russians and Ukrainians who joined the Germans voluntarily fighting on D-day.

[@realburglazofficial2613]

@@cstephen98 the English translation of what they’re saying is: ”don’t shoot! We’re Czech, we didn’t kill anyone”

[@jayz4dayz763]

​@@Arizona-ex5yt I think the real reason for the inclusion of that though was to show that war crimes were committed by both the Axis and Allied powers. Does a great job of reflecting just how dark and brutal this time period was in human history.

[@hadoken95]

This was the first movie I recall seeing that made me 'get' war. As in the sacrifices, the chaos, the insanity, the just absolute hell we put people through for whatever lofty reasons we assign these struggles. It wasn't until I saw this that I understood why my great uncle refused to talk about the war. And why the survivors are always tragic heroes in the end, because the world is forever changed for them. They can never go back to what those of us who are lucky enough to be ignorant of this experience know. When you thank someone for their service, you're not thanking them for glorious honorable combat in the name of truth and justice and the American way - you're thanking them for having to go through this because our politicians said so.

[@gravedigger8414]

For me this is the greatest war movie. It hit me when I grew up (as a german in Germany) and just left its mark that I will never forget. So suspenseful and so well made.

[@Martin.Wilson]

Almost impossible to believe that Saving Private Ryan, one of the most iconic movies ever made, lost the Best Picture Oscar in 1999 to Shakespeare in Love. Possibly the worst snub in Oscar history.

[@rickwelch8464]

I watched this in the theater, it was so good I went back again the next day by myself to check it out again. Both times the crowd just sat in their seats as the credits rolled and beyond, absorbing what the hell they had just seen. "Tell her that when you found me, I was with the only brothers I have left" Gets me every time. -Combat vet

[@blockboygames5956]

Thank you for your service. I wish you every success in your life. :)

[@zeus6793]

My father was an Army medic in the Pacific for 3 years, and he and my mom retired to Ft. Lauderdale in 1991 and lived in a retirement community. When they went to see this on opening weekend, the entire theater was filled with nothing but retirees....and almost every man there was a veteran. And every woman there lived through the Home Front or served as a nurse or similar. My mom said that when the movie ended, the entire theater was silent, except for the sound of weeping old men. Watching this movie actually inspired my father to finally tell us some of his wartime experiences. Before that, all you could get out of him were funny little anecdotes. After this, his stories got a bit more grim.

[@atulkumargupta4774]

This is one of my favorite movies of all time not only it's the best War movie But Steven Spielberg really out done himself in this one the true horrifying depiction of war

[@joshroth705]

This was one of my favorite movies also. I had the movie poster in my room for the longest time. Seeing this in the theater was so intense.

[@indygeo4267]

Steven Spielberg is terrific at making war movies. He makes them seem so real.

[@SirDawkster]

The opening D-Day scene was so realistic, that it caused veterans to walk out of the theatres.

[@cal9064]

I know. i was one of them. Different war. Same memories.

[@texaspatriot4215]

Learn all you can, I'm so happy to see young people learning about this important time in our history, my father was on Utah beach on that day January 6th 1944. You had a great reaction to the film.

[@blakebufford6239]

Salute and respect to your Dad.🇺🇸

[@texaspatriot4215]

@@blakebufford6239 thank you Blake

[@Slim-Pickens]

I cry watching almost every American war movie or show. Not from sadness but from overwhelming gratitude.

[@roosterblood]

I watched this 5 times at the cinema’s, probably more than anybody maybe!I just loved watching people’s reactions to how amazing this movie was!

[@panzerdeal8727]

MEMO: you have a WHOLE nother ocean to add...We were retaking Saipan and Guam on 20 June 1944..just 2 weeks behind this "D-Day".

[@llorona7847]

Memphis Belle is a great WWII flick that’s flown under the radar. It also has a great ensemble cast and tells the story of a different aspect of the war, the battle over the skies of Europe.

[@PaulArk]

This! Memphis Belle is an absolutely under-appreciated gem of a film

[@Stevarooni]

HBO is also putting out a series about the air war over Europe. Not sure when....

[@llorona7847]

@@Stevarooni thanks for the info, I’m going to keep an eye out 😁

[@kimleechristensen2679]

"Battle of Britain" is also a great epic movie of the airwar 1940 in WW2.

[@juvandy]

Yep, especially if you read Harry Crosby's book "A Wing and a Prayer". The production of Memphis Belle doesn't reference it officially, but there are a LOT of parallels with the Bremen mission Crosby described. His book is also probably forming a major basis for the upcoming series too. If you look at the cast/character list on IMDB a lot of the top-billed characters are people Crosby writes about. It's a great book too.

[@waynepurcell6058]

Everybody always exclaims about the guy taking off his helmet right before getting drilled through his cranium. Those helmets were more for (light) protection against artillery shells bursting overhead. The first round that glanced off his helmet was exactly that, a glancing strike. That helmet wouldn't have stopped the round that hit him dead square even if he had been wearing it. That helmet would have been no more than a bowl full of brain matter. Even in modern times and with modern technology the things that soldiers wear are "bullet resistant", not "bullet proof". "Bullet proof" is just a phrase. For every advance in body armor there is (or soon will be) an advance in weapons/munitions designed to defeat it.

[@5ilver42]

For a couple of older classic war films, I highly recommend the films _The Bridge over the River Kwai_ (1957) as well as _Zulu_ (1964) Absolutely phenomenal films.

[@kingleech16]

Both great films. River Kwai is probably in my top 3 favorite Alec Guinness movies.

[@kanervatie]

Mama Ryan at the porch scene always gets me in tears.

[@Charlessilver_]

I remember watching this during middle school to learn more about D-Day. Had to be one of my favorite movies, I'm glad my teacher had introduced it to us.

[@quirtevans1977]

When a person says "A woman can do anything a man can do." they should be required to watch this movie.

[@FrameFreakStudio]

After the success of this movie, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks decided that they wanted to explore more of this topic, so they went to create Band of Brothers, Tom Hanks even makes a tiny cameo there as a soldier yelling for help in Episode 8 I believe.

[@dongyschlontong-ck5xg]

I think you can hear Tom Hanks voice yell out in Episode 5, Crossroads. Best episode!

[@felipeaguena5289]

Literally EVERY person reacting to this movie always say the same thing: "Is that Vin Diesel?" 😂

[@thomasbeauchamp3781]

When I saw this in the theater, there was an old man in my row who was sitting on the edge of his seat with a death grip on the seat in front of him during the beach scene. From his reaction, I figured he was a veteran and they got it right.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

42:21 "Wait, is he the guy?!" No, but the actors they hired for those two roles look similar enough that most audiences have that question on their first watch. EDIT: The former POV shows back up at 46:20.

[@dioghaltasfoirneartach7258]

A very good, and respectful reaction. You honored all the American Warriors with your respectful and dignified response to it .

[@johnrichmond7739]

I served in the Navy 6 years. I can fully understand Ryan's desire to stay. There's that brotherhood that you have with the people you serve with that stays with you tbe rest of your life. You especially feel it when the buddies you served with start passing away.

[@jonathang9705]

"The Thin Red Line" is a beautifully filmed, star-studded movie with some amazing performances about the first major land battle in the Pacific. It was filmed on the actual island the battle took place on. It came out the same year as "Saving Private Ryan" and was also nominated for Best Picture. It would be well worth a watch.

[@DestinyAwaits19]

In my opinion, The Thin Red Line is the true masterpiece. A spiritual film that meditates on the evil of mankind.

[@PaulF847]

When we went the theater was packed and they had grief counselors staged in the theater. There were tears and reverent silence at the end of the movie. This movie took you there and it gives a view of what it was like for 18 year olds being in this situation. It was much worse than we saw and felt. Thank the Veterans whenever you meet them. God Bless

[@CaddyJim]

The reason they risked the eight of them to rescue Private Ryan is to prevent the end of a family tree not mentioned in the movie but they talk about they having mother's too but they probably have male siblings so if they did die their family tree wouldn't end

[@guyoliver3053]

I was deeply moved by your response to this film. I have watched the film countless times and I love all the characters and the story, especially given the fact that it was based on a true story. Thank you so much for reviewing it. Watching you see it for the first time really amplified all the the reasons I love it.

[@gpaje]

I thought forever that the guy who took out Mellish was the same German soldier they released earlier, but there were 2 different actors & 2 different characters.

[@briana1773]

The guy they let go was regular German army. The one who took out Mellish was in an SS uniform. I thought they were the same for a long time, too.

[@jakestrok8271]

No, they’re the same guy. The German solider even remembers his name at the end of the movie, before he gets shot. He put on a different uniform

[@gpaje]

@Jake Strok Nope, they are confirmed two different soldiers, different actors, and characters, it's in the credits.

[@DougEfresh.]

I've watched this more than 20 times and everytime I say I'm not gonna cry this time but I actually cry more than the last time. I strongly suggest you watch it again and again, not only will you see parts you didn't see last time but I bet you anything you will cry more and more. Excellent film and you realize the horrors of war.

[@Anijcol]

Greetings from central Texas. This movie came out just after I joined the Army. This helped teach me despite the difficulties and the deprivations of simple amenities of daily life ad a part of the rigor of being a Soldier, it is a noble thing to choose to be. I so recommend your next movie be Fury if you haven’t seen it.

[@ladygeekgirl]

Glad you watched this and it is an amazing film. One of my favorites. I watch a lot of war films mainly for the respect for our vets who served and gave their life. Also, out of respect for my family. My Pop-Pop was in the air force during WWII. Him and my Mom-Mom got married during the war and wanted to in case he got shipped off. He came home safe thankfully. Unfortunately, my family suffered loss too. My Uncle lost his life in the Vietnam War. He was due to come home but ended up losing his life tragically. He was only 28 years old and married to my Aunt and they had a daughter together. I never met him but my family always told stories about him. To pay tribute to him I did an art piece for my Aunt and cousin. He will always live within us forever. God bless to our vets who served and made the ultimate sacrifice.

[@atriox7221]

A masterful one I haven’t seen people react to is Gallipoli, it’s an incredible “war movie” which was massive in Oceania

[@generalsaufenberg4931]

the " earn this" quote was the meanest thing, he could told to him. now he has til live his life knowing, he has to make up for the sacrifice of all of this men. and it`s even worse with any single birthday, because he remembers the years those men have lost, and all just because of him.... i mean, how can you live with something like that...

[@Coinguy1963]

My father landed at Omaha Beach. When I took him to see this, he broke down during the first 20 minutes. On the way home, he told all about it.

[@redmustangredmustang]

Even those who saw the first screening the vets said they could still smell the diesel from the landing craft. Stuff like that will never go away after all those years. It's scary that your dad probably said along with other vets that the movie was as real as it got.

[@williamstovall-s1d]

Such a powerful ending. Cant help but tear up. I pray that another generation never has to suffer as they did. RIP♥

[@imperialinquisitormordecai9688]

Someone has most likely already told you, but when this movie was aired, some D-day veterans were invited as well, and some had to leave due to the very realistic interpretation of the landing in this movie.

[@rollomaughfling380]

Movies in 1998 weren't "aired." They were "screened" or "shown."

[@tomleete2384]

Saw this in the theater when it was released. I had no idea how the movie was going to start, but in the opening scene when I realized we were in the Normandy cemetery, I was like "oh crap, this is going to be D-Day..." and I was already sobbing before the landing scene even began. Needless to say, I spent about the next hour in traumatic shock. Riveting. An unparalleled movie experience. One of the rare films that leaves you processing what you saw - emotionally, morally, philosophically - for hours after it finished.

[@georgedeboever3381]

Everything you see in the scenes for the landing in Normandy, actually happened. Some of it I wish I didn't see, like the guy picking up his arm. RIP to all these heroes.

[@metalboy8934]

Those guys that had arms and legs missing in the movie were actual amputees.. Geniously done tbh... Really added to the realism... They set the bar with that one.

[@dennisharnish9063]

To serve ones country is a honor. The memories of it is a nightmare that will never leave the head, even after sixty years.

[@ozymandias3322]

The best war movie. My dad let me watch it when I was 11, so I'd understand what those men went through to help bring the world out of chaos and that war is hell.

[@Do0msday]

This is not only the best war movie of all time, but one of the best movies ever made IMHO. It feels historically accurate for the most part (aside from the main plot), the cinematography is amazing, the music is great, the sound is great, the acting is great, the cast is great. This movie is an S-tier movie in my eyes. It shows what war was really like in terms of the damage done physically as well as mentally/emotionally. Even those that survived were left broken.

[@alexamerling79]

One of my all time favorite movies. Huge WWII nerd so this movie really hit me in the feels

[@Onz70]

You’re the first person reacting to this movie that understood the scene with Upham on the stairs not been able to help. Most get angry or hate Upham, but you understood Upham wasn’t ready for combat. Great reaction

[@arkain1]

Still can't believe the Academy gave that year's Oscar to Shakespeare in Love over this masterpiece.

[@barrysmith9407]

liberal godless acadamy hollywood voters

[@DanielMazahreh]

Doesn't deserve the Oscar. The Thin Red Line should've won. It's an anti-war masterpiece. Saving Private Ryan is pro-war propaganda and mindless patriotism.

[@tomlorenzen4062]

​@@DanielMazahrehand you deserve an Oscar for stupidity

[@jenkins80526]

I love your compassion and empathy for these men. I am the same way. I have a son who's been in the NAVY for 13 years now. I hope he never sees war like this. Great reaction and you picked a great movie!

[@sinisterpanda2738]

Saving Private Ryan is definitely one of my Top Five War Movies.. Mainstream, but not at all Overrated. I'd like to recommend "Taegukgi"(Brotherhood), a 2004 South Korean war movie. Very unforgettable.

[@SoCalDude1793]

The scene where the mother looks through her needing to sit always makes me gross cry. She looks up, hoping it’s a son or sons coming home because they were discharged for injury or what have you. She goes to the door praying it’s a child, she sees a priest and her world falls apart and it falls apart not because one son is gone … The Civil War (the Lincoln letter) I was a student of that war for a long time. Lots of families were left without sons and fathers. That always hits hard as well.

[@nathanmeece9794]

I have always been interested in military history. I especially enjoy WW2 since my father was in both the First Infantry Division and Third Infantry Division. He told me a lot of stories about his time in the army. Also had two uncles who were in the WW2. One served in England as a B17 radio operator with the 390th Bomb Group.

[@souless08]

That dude crying for his momma rips my heart out... I am sure a great many brave men cried for their momma's in their final moments of despair.. Wrecks me to even try to comprehend

[@texasps91]

It was absolutely historically accurate. My dad was there on the USS Frankford Navy destroyer giving fire power support taking out the bunkers so the soldiers could get up the hill as they were pinned down. This is Exactly accurate. The opening scene lasted 25 minutes, but in fact, the landing lasted about 7 hours. Veterans said the only thing missing was the smell of diesel, gun powder and blood.

[@lonewolf0712]

One inaccuracy is the wood meant to stop the Landing craft is facing the wrong way. The game Enlisted has them facing the right way.

[@frankteunissen6118]

Those tin cans scraped their keels on the bottom getting as close as they could to fire into the pillboxes on the shore. Obviously the Germans fired back with what they’d got and a destroyer has no armor at all!

[@JesseJames7-8-9]

When I was 17, my Mom and I saw this in the theater when it first came out not knowing anything about it really other than it was WW2. Movie ended, a packed auditorium sat in complete silence for 10 minutes then slowly started leaving. It was a very powerful experience

[@RayBetterThanEvilCanival]

When this movie was first in theatres, the Omaha Beach scene actually gave D-Day veterans PTSD flashbacks. Many are documented saying that scene is exactly what it was like in real life.

[@Spongemonkey26]

everything minus the smell of diesel fuel.

[@RayBetterThanEvilCanival]

@@Spongemonkey26 and the smell of death

[@nealrepetti2396]

D- DAY had almost ten thousand ships and approximately 160 thousand men . The largest military action in history. My whole family fought in the 2 W.W. My Italian side was in Italy and my Jewish uncle was in the Pacific. When I turn 18 , I went into the NAVY . I didn't see combat because there was no war at the time. It was the best decision I ever made. Love to all my military brothers. I'm 66 years old now and proud of my family. War is literally hell on earth. Thanks for watching this movie 🎥.

[@blueeyedcowboy8291]

If you want to see one of the most amazing true stories of WWII, do a reaction to "Hacksaw Ridge". A great movie about a great man that is honestly hard to believe, yet a movie where Hollywood actually undersold the true story for once.

[@thomaseggle8886]

It wasnt just the WW2 vets but combat veterans or any engagement found it difficult because of the realism. My Uncle was badly wounded attempting to save his fallen friend and as he was dragging him away he was hit by a tree burst from a motor. Half of his face was mangled and he lost his eye and had many surgeries to recover. But he said he had to walk out because he started to smell things in his mind like gun powder and burned wood. It just brought everything back. Hes the toughest man I've ever met...so if he said he couldn't get through the beginning....im sure that was shared by most who saw action.

[@williamberry9013]

The taking out of the machine gun nest was his chance to do a "normal" mission. Where 1 man lost might mean you saved 10 or 20 lives

[@mikealvarez2322]

Glad to hear that watching these movies has perked your interest in history. History is the story of us. I enjoy listening to the stories of the men and women who were actually there.

[@LetsGetitBoah]

This movie does a great job of showing just how much hell war really is.

[@jhilal2385]

The German soldier who stabbed Mellish while Upham was on the stairs was >not< the same one that they let go, however the one who shot Tom hanks and was then shot by Upham >was< the one that they had let go. Ironically the one who did not kill Upham on the stairs had Waffen SS insignia on his collar, while the one who returned to fight after surrendering and shot Tom hanks had German regular army (Heer) insignia on his collar.

[@skyhawksailor8736]

Saving Private Ryan has so many actual references. It has been called the most accurate depiction of the landing on D-Day. The General when he is talking about getting Ryan back refers to the actual five Sullivan brothers who were killed when the USS Juneau, the ship they were on was sunk at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. The General actually quotes from memory the Bixby letter written by President Lincoln. You really need to watch the mini series The Pacific also produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. This is also about WWII but the fight against Japan. Another great movie you should watch about WWII is Hacksaw Ridge, this movie is based on the true story about Desmond Doss.

[@rollomaughfling380]

Your head is a mess. This was based on the story of Fritz Niland, who, when he and everyone thought all his brothers had died, got found immediately, protested a bit, but quickly was ordered onto a Jeep got his ass on there, and sent back to the States, where he served the rest of his term.

[@skyhawksailor8736]

@@rollomaughfling380 I do not see anywhere in my reply, which states what this story is based on, I did say it "has so many actual references". The General actually talks about the Sullivan Brothers and he does quote the Bixby letter. Both of these Items I stated are true facts. I do not think my head is a mess, but some people's head is a mess.

[@jimchoate6912]

I have seen this movie at least a hundred times and as many reactions. The scene that really gets me is the opening, not a word spoken but yet the emotion is conveyed thru the emotion on that mans face. I can feel the pain everytime I see that. Was that acting or was the man actually remembering something.

[@pauldoser9873]

I'm really glad you recognized that Upham just wasn't ready for what he was facing. I always feel bad for the guy. He's thrown into the role of paratrooper along with combat veteran Rangers and airborne soldiers who have been training for two years to make the big jump. They were reasonably prepared for the situation while Upham was not. I've read many autobiographies of combat soldiers and they almost always say some variation of that they were overwhelmed during their first major combat experience, but they fell back onto their training. Upham was basically operating on frantic willpower and when his willpower gave out on the stairs, he had no applicable training to fall on to.

[@Diadin22]

Thank you! I've seen a lot of people miss this as they all assume Upham has the same training and time in combat as the other guys

[@lordmortarius538]

Upham tried to get out of the war without blood on his hands, but when he saw the guy he let go kill Captain Miller, he knew he was just as responsible, which is why he shoots the guy at the end. I hate the armchair warriors who decry his actions. NO ONE knows what they're going to do thrust in a situation like that, especially with as little training as he had. I like to think I'd do the right thing but I could just as easily be curled up in a ball in pants-shitting terror.

[@scottdarden3091]

I'd would frag him.

[@genghisgalahad8465]

He was still a coward and he found out he was. I mean among the newbie soldiers and Marines and even civilian partisans and Resistance to occupation did their part. Fir the most part, ciwardicebon battlefield was I'm pretty sure few and far between if any at all. Good thing he's a fictional character. It is a fact that he acted cowardly. No two ways about it. That's what hits about loss of (spoilers) .... ....cap miller.

[@TheKsalad]

@@scottdarden3091 No you wouldn't, Boot boy

[@506thparatrooper]

First time I saw this movie I was next to four DDay vets with their wives. Their wives would ask if this is what it was like. The amazing American Soldiers motivated me as I shipped out the next day with the 82nd Airborne Division which was the lead unit into Kosovo. Great men always inspire those who follow in their footsteps. Truly amazing what the almost 14,000 American paratroopers who jumped in the night before DDay accomplished knocking out many German artillery guns and blocking any German reinforcements. Sobering there were 29,000 Americans killed during the DDay operations. And the fighting lasted from 6 June 1944 to 7 May 1945.

[@jonathanwilson6830]

Glad you enjoyed this movie. Leaning the horrors of war is often watered down in movies and left to the audience’s imagination. I grew up watching the movie called “The Longest Day” that covers broadly the events of D Day. I would recommend it to anyone looking for good WW2 movies.

[@MatthewPettyST1300]

correct....Often forgotten. Click...click....................click....click.

[@warkentien2]

This movie was produced and directed by Stephen Spielberg, with actor Tom Hanks. Band of Brothers was produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. Same cinematography and editing.

[@chrisdavis408]

Once you finish band of brothers, I highly suggest " the pacific ". It's also based on real ppl and shows the pacific theater of the war. I'm sure ull find it as well as band of brothers. Great reaction.

[@emptyasmrman]

Obligatory trivia, the guys you saw speaking Czech at the beginning were saying along the lines of "Stop please, they made us fight, we didn't kill anybody." Then they killed them, atrocities happen on both sides, I'm glad this movie never shied away from it. It's why I've seen a lot of soldiers call them the Geneva suggestions, people don't really follow the "rules" when they are out there in the moment. Upham gave mercy to the German soldier and what it earned him was HIS life, at the cost of others.

[@jimmiewyatt6819]

I love this movie. I saw it at the theater with my father. We were amazed. That opening sequence was terrifying and so well made. My next best for war movie with action is Hacksaw Ridge. My Dad's cousin Jay was wounded in the cheek in the battle of Okinawa. Hacksaw is based on a true story. I hope you can react to it.

[@user_ib_228]

By the way, the guy who killed Melish wasn’t the one they let go. They have different uniforms. But the guy they let go was also in the final battle, and Upham killed him

[@PhenomProductions23]

What made this film so good and powerful is the fact that 1. It's based on real events, and 2. they did a good job of making it so realistic that 25 years later it holds up well. It also gives a good idea of what the soldiers who were sometimes only 16 years old had to go through.

[@shamelessgames9158]

A Generation the likes of which we will never seen again.

[@XxaxX360]

One of those little details that so few seem to notice about this movie is that Captain Miller's hand only shakes when it is calm. He knows danger is nearby when it stops.

[@kelkabot]

I really appreciate your compassion in viewing this movie, especially in your reaction to Upham, whom (as you say) just was not ready for any of this.

[@scottvanhille5688]

My favorite war movie of all time. This has everything you'd expect from a war movie and more meaning the realistic graphic scenes being depicted. WWII Vets have even walked out of the movie due to how real it was. Nice reaction.

[@NateAZ]

My father's oldest brother was in the Utah beach landing on D Day, he was one of only three men who made it to the beach from the landing craft he was in. He tried to watch this movie with my aunt and had to leave, go outside and throw up after seeing the first scene where nearly all of the soldiers in the landing craft were mown down as soon as the gate dropped...it was the exact same thing he had survived and it brought it all back for him. He never tried to watch this movie again, did not speak ill of it...just said it was too real for him.

[@Narutoanime16g]

The whole production of this movie is great and Tom Hanks and everyones acting is top tier, just showing how War really is least the closest you can in a movie is a great feat just makes me sad for all the veterans we have and the wars going on today

[@imadubsfan1]

You are an awesome person Kacee! Loved your reaction and analysis of this. You're very open minded, wanting to learn something entirely new, and just giving it a shot speaks volumes about you. I wish more were like you because if there's one thing our country needs now, it's a nation that understands what the past has done for them and that they too should do right for the future of this country. Mike isn't just saying "Earn it" to Ryan, he's saying it to all of us. And fyi, Band of Brothers' intro to the war takes place a day before D-Day. Their job was to drop in from behind enemy lines (behind the bunkers at Omaha beach in Saving Private Ryan) and ease the D-Day mission, but bad weather as you know caused the paratroopers to become scattered.

[@BusterKay916]

I remember when this film came out in theaters, some veterans had to walk out of the theater because of the visceral nature and realism of that opening scene. There's a lot of horror thrown at the audience immediately, and I really feel that must reflect the experience of being drafted into the war, shoved on a boat, and you are immediately confronted with so much violence and awful scenarios (if you are lucky enough to survive). I can't imagine what it must have been like for veterans of war to return home after enduring such insane events.