*Saving Private Ryan* Was Absolutely INCREDIBLE

Saving Private Ryan (1998) | First Time Watching | Movie Reaction
Click the link below and join NOW for Early Access & Uncut Reactions on our Patreon: / spartanandpudgey
OUR INSTAGRAM: spartanandp...
OUR DISCORD: / discord
If you would like to support our channel, click on the JOIN button and receive some extra perks such as membership badges, exclusive custom emotes and priority reply to comments!
P.O box:
Spartan & Pudgey
Po Box 8017
Oakleigh East, VIC 3166
If you want to avoid expensive shipping due to us living in Australia, here is a little work around on Amazon (can do the same on ebay using www.ebay.com.au) which some people have used and made it a lot more affordable. We just wanted to share this with those who this may concern.
1. Go to top right of Amazon homepage where it has your country flag and language showing
2. Click change country/region on dropdown menu
3. Change country to Australia
4. Amazon page will change all products to those in Australian warehouses. Put items in cart, send to S&P PO box address as you normally would. Should be minimal shipping because its shipping from within Australia
Introduction: 0:00 - 2:10
Reaction: 2:10 - 1:03:33
Discussion/Review: 1:03:34 - 1:18:17
#savingprivateryan #reaction #moviereaction

[@SpartanandPudgey]

This might be the best world war movie we have ever watched holy sh*t this was an incredibly made film! Want to watch 4 weeks EARLY and access our UNCUT reactions? AND Vote for what Movie we watch next over on Patreon! www.patreon.com/spartanandpudgey

[@iKvetch558]

Saving Private Ryan is incredibly realistic in most every way, with a very few exceptions...such as bullets not being able to kill you more than a few inches underwater, and flamethrowers not really exploding that way in 1944. One thing to know, pay no mind at all to that man who took off his helmet on the beach and then got shot in the head...that next shot would have killed him even if he had kept his helmet on. The helmets of WW2 would almost never stop a bullet, except under very very rare circumstances. The movie is not a true story, and it differs from the actual history of D-Day in many ways...but the basic plot is loosely based on the 4 Niland Brothers, one of whom served with the 101st Airborne Division. However, when 3 Nilands were reported dead, no mission was sent behind enemy lines to get the last brother, and it turned out that one brother that had been thought dead had actually only been captured. There really was a Company C of the 2nd Rangers that landed on Omaha Beach, but they were commanded by Captain Ralph Goranson, and they did not land quite where it was shown in the film. Probably the most important historical thing that Spielberg got wrong is that he had the boats that carried the Rangers to the beach being driven by Americans...they were not. On D-Day, the boats that carried the US Rangers to the beach were driven by UK sailors of the Royal Navy. There are many other things in the film that are not accurate to the real history of D-Day, but that one really fails to honor some of the men that fought and died at Omaha Beach, so it is definitely the one most worth noting.

[@richardstephens5570]

@@iKvetch558 An Army Chaplain was sent to find Fritz Niland in Normandy, he was found nine days after D-Day and sent home.

[@SJ-GodofGnomes21]

Please watch Hacksaw Ridge!!! Please watch Hacksaw Ridge

[@SJ-GodofGnomes21]

Please react to Band Of Brothers!!! Absolutely magnificent series

[@SJ-GodofGnomes21]

P.O.W Prisoner Of War

[@dekugamez8696]

Band of Brothers is a 10-episode miniseries that's based on true events think you guys might enjoy/learn a lot from it.

[@marekanthony3935]

Agree, Band of Brothers is a must watch series.

[@Perkypig]

Also agree, produced by Spielberg and Hanks together. It tells the story of a company in the 101st Airborne the division Ryan was in

[@gnarzee4336]

Band of Brothers a must watch definitely.

[@beautybysaranwrap]

They have been putting it on polls on their Patreon but it has not won yet

[@NPA1001]

Didn’t initially see this comment so posted almost the exact same comment.. Band of Brothers is in my opinion the best mini series of all time .. a must watch.

[@clarkmichaels822]

Wade talking about pretending to be asleep when his mom came home and crying for his mom when he dies still breaks me.

[@andrewhelmer6853]

Same. Makes you reflect on all the little things you take for granted in your life. It's so heartbreaking

[@jackbrereton7286]

One of the best character moments in the film.

[@TheoMurpse]

It's an amazing bit of writing bc it doesn't follow logically from the plot. It's completely out of left field. To think of that as a writer takes a higher order of thought. It's like painting a sunset and reaching for green paint for one detail.

[@meanlean3095]

That has happened in Africa for thousands of years & still does so he must have been a soft minded individual & we all know this…

[@MrZeuz666]

@@meanlean3095 !?!?

[@calemorgan3982]

My grandfather was a tank driver in WW2 for the Canadian military. He was in N. Africa as an ammo runner for the Brits, then was moved to a tank crew for the invasion of Italy and took part in D-day on Juno beach. He was later wounded outside Caen and that was the end of the war for him. He never talked about his service until the last few years of his life. One year we were having dinner at his house and this movie came on the tv he watched for about 30seconds into the beach scene then he walked out of the house. He said it was just too much for him and it brought back too many horrible memories. He talked to us about it for hours, it was the first time he ever spoke about what he went through to us. I remember my mom said he was a hero, my grandfather got mad at her and said " I'm not a damn hero, the heroes are the ones who never came home. I'm just a survivor "

[@mestupkid211986]

That sentiment at the end is a common thing for men from that generation; they weren't trying to be heroes, just trying to not let their friends down.

[@WarLordArtos]

Yes. My grandfather was in the navy and in port at Darwin when it was bombed, he also fought in New Guinea. He would never talk about it either unless he was very drunk. Would also hear him talk in his sleep, definitely having nightmares of the war judging by what he said

[@misternef]

My grandfather was an infantryman in Africa in WW2 (U.S.). My grandmother told us that he used to say that they were chasing after Rommel. Otherwise he didn't talk much about it.

[@JonnyRicter]

The opening scene is the American invasion of Omaha beach, the heaviest fortified beach on D-Day and the beach with the most deaths, however, the Canadian invasion of Juno beach was the second deadliest of the D-Day invasion. Due to weather, the Canadians were the last invasion force to come ashore, losing any element of surprise, giving the Germans more time to mobilize and call in reinforcements. The initial wave at Juno was described as a blood bath, the opening scene of this film probably brought back some painful memories for your grandfather and I completely understand why he walked out. Fortunately, the Canadian 3rd Army was able to overcome German opposition and successfully made it further inland than any of the other allied forces on D-Day.

[@mmxxiii9503]

​@@JonnyRicterIt did to my mom, she never said a word until she this movie

[@patrickwaldeck6681]

My favorite detail of this movie is when the General is reading the Lincoln letter he puts it down halfway through the monologue and starts reciting it from memory. He has read it so many times that he has the entire thing memorized and he clearly understands the position he is in sending thousands of men to their deaths every day.

[@td811]

Bummer it didn’t make their KZbin reaction

[@jamesmorseman3180]

I also know it by heart, it’s truly a beautiful piece of literature

[@yuriofblaviken5073]

Saving Matt Damon is becoming a tradition on this channel :)

[@GodfatherCZ1]

Unless he's Dr.Mann 😬😬😂

[@Timbo6669]

Hehe… _Matt Damon_ .

[@spacechampi0n]

They should watch Team America: World Police next then.

[@Timbo6669]

@@spacechampi0n great minds!,

[@IDiggPattyMayonnaise]

Part of the "Rescuing Matt Damon Cinematic Universe". There's about 10 films in the series if you count Goodwill Hunting, where they save him emotionally.

[@Ennoenno02]

Now we need band of brothers.

[@HenryInHawaii]

Forgot about putting Band Of Brothers on another poll. Younger generations need to watch this mini series of the men of Easy Company

[@John-ws2zr]

Agree. Band of Brothers and the other two, The Pacific and Masters of the Air. My dad was a navigator on a B-17 and flew 23 missions over Germany before the War ended.

[@CzarsSalad]

For this movie to NOT win Oscars Best Picture is still the biggest robbery in Hollywood history

[@SS4Luxray]

I’d say it’s the 2nd biggest robbery after Spielberg failed to get a Director nomination for The Color Purple and the fact the film was nominated for 11 and won 0 and has aged the best out of the 1986 Best Picture nominees

[@doncornell1707]

I'm shocked it didn't win the poll against "Arival."

[@trentsutton896]

I watched this at the movies when I was 16 . I was in shock and silent the whole movie . It changed me from being a little shit and humbled me. Haven’t missed a dawn service since

[@t0dd000]

I don't think SPR is Best Picture calibre. This film is incredible when it is incredible, but mixed otherwise. IMHO. Having watched it a zillion times now, I now see see its shortcomings. It lost to Shakespeare in Love. That film, also very good, also wasn't Best Picture calibre IMHO. It was a weak field that year.

[@craigwheller]

Shakespeare in Love only won because Harvey Weinstein spent months campaigning and bribing people to vote for it. It's a love story and Academy voters at the time were overwhelmingly upper middle class women. SPR is a far superior film that doesn't appeal to that demographic

[@hoanim]

Band of Brothers!!

[@cyatic]

Followed by "The Pacific" & "Masters Of The Sky"

[@Stogie2112]

I lived in Caen, Normandy in the Spring of 1998. Just a short drive from the D-Day beaches. I walked the same path in the American cemetery, and I even toured the German cemetery down the road as well as many other memorials. The locals were very friendly and were still appreciative of the Allies for defeating the Germans, even though 80% of the city was wiped out during the Allied invasion. I came home in June, 1998, and just a few months later, "Saving Private Ryan" was released. The opening scene of James Ryan walking through the American cemetery hit me so hard. I saw the film four times in the theater. Each time, elderly men exited the theater in tears. I think we were all in tears. No other war film comes close to the greatness of "Saving Private Ryan", but of course, I am very biased. 😊

[@macheadg5er]

Even worse was 1942 the 5 Sullivan brothers were all serving on the same ship USS Juneau and all 5 died when the ship was destroyed. After that no same family members were ever again to serve on the same ship/unit. All military branches separated everyone from then on and 1 member would serve at home so as no family would ever be completely wiped out.

[@brianwilson2789]

They should watch The Fighting Sullivans, a great old movie which tells that story.

[@meanlean3095]

Even worse is that Great Britain lost 30% of the men aged 16-40 in this war after losing 20% of men aged 18-35 in the First World War approximately 20 years earlier & these wars bankrupted the entire British economy….

[@Amita_Nasir]

USS The Sullivans DD-537 was named in their honor and is a retired navy museum ship.

[@benschultz1784]

Bit of Aussie history with the Sullivan brothers, as one of the ships sunk on the night of October 13, 1942 along with the _Juneau_ was the _HMAS Canberra_ . Also got to give credit to the _USS Laffey_ (the original _Farragut_ class one, not the _Somers_ class one that survived 22 kamikazes in Okinawa) going face to face with the battleship _Hiei_ and crippling her so torpedo bombers from the _Enterprise_ could finish her off.

[@ronweber1402]

After WWI Canada stopped putting lads from the same small towns in units all together. They did that in WWI because they figured if they were fighting with their friends and relatives they would fight harder. Well they did but some towns, especially in Newfoundland, had a whole generation of young men wiped out all at once and those towns took decades to recover.

[@beautybysaranwrap]

Im so happy y’all didn’t cut the “fubar” explanation!!! So many people do it and I hate missing their reactions to it lol

[@StinkyBuster]

Kudos for being one of the only reactors to actually empathize with Uppham and not just assume they would be the big hero

[@marsalien4]

Ah, I just made a similar comment!! I was so glad to see them understand him.

[@infiad1275]

He's finally growing on me after the 10th watch.

[@fredwin]

True, but I'll never understand people who go to reaction channels to specifically see someone react to something, and then proceed to tell them they had the "wrong" reaction. Upham is written to garner that response on purpose. That scene could have been filmed a million different ways, but that's what they chose. People are going to feel the disgust at Upham's perceived cowardice, it's written to make people feel that way.

[@StinkyBuster]

@fredwin I gave them kudos for their empathy (which the scene was also written to make people feel, assuming they have it). I don't expect a certain reaction.

[@that.ll_do_pig]

​@@fredwindid you read or hear something from the writer or director that the scene was written in a way that was supposed to elicit disgust from every viewer?

[@lethaldose2000]

Hey Spartan and Pudgey, you have officially entered the masterclass of Steven Spielberg. -------- He's one of the best visual storytellers to ever touch a movie camera. I hope you guys are able to do a deep dive on all the films he has made over the past 50 years and more. ---------- Spielberg literally invented the blockbuster movie genre.

[@rlswiss7518]

When the movie came out, many war veterans went to watch it and had to leave the theater, because of how realistic it was depicted.

[@roddo1955]

Viggo Mortensen broke his toe when he kicked that orc helmet and Peter Jackson kept in the scream of agony. Fun fact: people fainted at the first screening of 'the Exorcist'. The world needs more people like Tom Hanks. This movie should be shown in schools. I literally cried when I saw this movie Who is watching this in 2024? Omg! 986685 likes and no comment? Let me fix that. Omg! 15456667 comments? Mom ,I'm famous!

[@rollastoney]

Always this comment never fails 😂😂

[@cassu6]

@@roddo1955 Haha love this

[@ps5392]

Happened during Platoon and Full Metal Jacket showings as well.

[@dawest767]

Meh, I saw it in the theater with my grandfather who landed in France in September 1944 and fought across France into Germany and was behind enemy lines during the battle of the bulge, and he was fine with it.

[@NicoT1]

Band of Brothers, to stay in the same historical period and genre, could be a great watch for this channel ! And pretty sure both of you, would like it a lot.

[@METALSKINMETAL]

Band of Brothers next watch! takes place hours before D-Day landing, its the operation that Ryan was in.

[@Unashamed_Christian]

MUST WATCH: - The Patriot (Revolutionary War) - Glory (Civil War) - 1917 (WWI) - HACKSAW RIDGE (WWII) - Band of Brothers (WWII) - The Pacific (WWII) - Masters of the Air (WWII) - We Were Soldiers (Vietnam)

[@nicholassmith7984]

You could also put Fury in there.

[@lethaldose2000]

@@Unashamed_Christian These are all amazing flicks. I would add, Full Metal Jacket, Platoon, Hacksaw Ridge, The Imitation Game, Enemy at the Gates, Das Boot, Crimson Tide, The Hunt for Red October, Bridge on River Kwai and so many more.

[@jodonnell64]

@@lethaldose2000 *Bridge on the River Kwai Also recommended: A Bridge Too Far (WWII) The Bridge at Remagen (WWII) (lots of "Bridge" films, LOL) Patton (WWII) The Great Escape (WWII) Sands of Iwo Jima (WWII) Midway (WWII) (the 1970's version, not the weak remake) Tora! Tora! Tora! (WWII) And for the lighter side of war films: M*A*S*H* (Korea - The film with Donald Sutherland (R.I.P.) and Elliot Gould, not the TV series - although that's pretty good as well) Kelly's Heroes (WWII) Catch-22 (WWII) And if you REALLY want to soak an entire box of tissues with tears - Grave of the Fireflies (WWII)

[@Miilien]

All Quiet On The Western Front (WWI) is a must see as well

[@mmxxiii9503]

All quite on the western front

[@IAmNotARobotPinkySwear]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="696">11:36</a> - just for clarification, Mellish isn't crying b/c "he's soaking it all in", he's crying b/c they just killed a bunch of teenagers in that trench (look up hitler youth, the knife that vin diesel's character hands him is a hitler youth knife, 14-16 years olds, think of them like boy scouts or cadets, they were there helping the regular german army that day during d-day). <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="63">1:03</a>:22 - most people won't notice this, but that is one CRISP salute, whoever the actor was that played the old man either served in the military or had practiced that a bunch before the shot was taken.

[@jamesrippy1161]

Many WWII veterans praised this movie for realistically depicting what they experienced on D-Day.

[@craigcassidy6078]

They didnt praise it, justt said it was close to the experience..

[@Low-Key123]

I know many veterans, my grandad included, who called it Hollywood bullshit. But whatever...

[@kylemma33]

The are a few nit pick issues/inaccuracies that i have with the opening scenes, but overall it's pretty accurate. The scene with rounds hitting water isn't realistic, bullets dont travel through the water like that. The other issues are having the obstacles pointed the wrong direction, and the landing crafts couldn't get that close to the shore. Soldiers disembarked about 300 yards shy of the beach, due to shallow water. Despite these small issues the movie is fantastic!

[@HenriNioto]

@@Low-Key123 I understand their feeling... And yes, the premise of the movie (saving the fourth son to avoid the mom's despair) is the one unrealistic thing in the movie (but hey, it's Spielberg). I don't think the US army would have done that at the time.

[@Low-Key123]

@@HenriNioto There are many "unrealistic" things in the movie, beyond plot.

[@stormcloud2661]

POW = Prisoner of war KIA = Killed in Action MIA = Missing in Action

[@bvbxiong5791]

TIL'd! Best ELI5. TY and GGS.

[@svt80221]

@@bvbxiong5791 crazy how your comment made complete sense.

[@SleepParty30]

JFCMSB = jet fuel can't melt steel beams

[@randomhereoh]

FJB

[@jodonnell64]

SNAFU = Situation Normal, All Fucked Up

[@casecoffea]

If you liked this, try the HBO series Band of Brothers, which is a true story. Thank me later.

[@samuraiwarriorsunite]

When a movie can make grown men cry who have actually lived it, you know you have paid homage to their bravery and ultimate sacrifice.

[@chuckhilleshiem6596]

I am a combat veteran ( Vietnam ) you can not possibly know the good you have just done. Thank you for this and God bless you both

[@user-dx3pl3zq2h]

Almost a million Australians, both men and women, served in the Second World War. They fought in campaigns against Germany and Italy in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa, as well as against Japan in south-east Asia and other parts of the Pacific.

[@GK-yi4xv]

"If I had to take hell, I would use the Australians to take it and the New Zealanders to hold it" Erwin Rommel (the legendary German General referenced in this movie) (allegedly)

[@SleepParty30]

I think the American-Australian War was bloodier, imo. Too bad it's been scrapped from the history books.

[@davidmadigan8355]

Ya....and if this is a proper representation of Australia's youth...yall need to learn Russian OR Chinese really quick because it's over for you

[@alyas77]

You definitely have to watch band of Brothers. It is an absolutely brilliant series.

[@notoriousc-ny3206]

Please watch Band Of Brothers. It’s about the 101st airborn and coincides with this movie.

[@HenriNioto]

I finally watched this movie last year, and I must say it's one of the most realistic, breathtaking war movie I've ever seen (and probably the best, period). (I tried to watch it when I was 15, but I was too young for this first sequence...) And I'm french, so this movie has a special meaning to me (thinking of all those people dead to free my country).

[@ChristopherBarbas-ud2ek]

Gotta watch Band of Brothers next for sure

[@mariuszpudzianowski8400]

One thing though is that Nazis towards the end use absolutely horrible tactics, normally tanks would just blast the the building to shreds (especially that church tower) before any infantry would advance and they would NEVER drive between sets of buildings, one bazooka shot from high angle and even a Tiger is toast from that distance.

[@solongdentahlplaan7975]

Yeah, it's weird that we don't have a lot of movies about the French involvement in the wars.

[@lethaldose2000]

Hey Spartan and Pudgey, I have seen SPR about 100 times and I still feel the hurt the anguish, the intensity. ------- Watching reactions like yours to the movie often gives me insights I didn't even realize I knew and makes me think even deeper and more introspectively on my own life experiences. ------- This is why movies like SPR are so powerful. ------- As George R.R. Martin often says, "The human heart in conflict with itself, is the only story truly worth telling."

[@alyas77]

One of the best comments I’ve ever read on social media. Cheers, Sir.

[@zardify_]

Already an underrated comment.

[@SpartanandPudgey]

we love that! very powerful quote 👏🏼

[@lethaldose2000]

@@alyas77 thanks so much

[@shannonbaron7302]

The Tom Hanks rabbit hole of films is a worthy one. The Green Mile, Forrest Gump, Castaway Saving Private Ryan. All tear jerkers.

[@lethaldose2000]

You can also add all his comedies, such as Big, Splash, Burbs, Turner and Hooch and his other dramas such as DaVinci Code, Appollo 13, Captain Phillips, Sully and so many more.

[@williamroper5422]

​@@lethaldose2000You somehow both left out Philadelphia his first Oscar winning role and I also want to give a mention to A League of Their Own.

[@LudusAurea]

Tom Hanks is a national treasure. I've never seen a Tom Hanks movie I didn't like although I will say The Circle underutilized him. He has a newer movie A Man Called Otto or something for example that I definitely need to see but I heard it's sad so I gotta do that on a happier day. I bet it's good. Or he's good in it.

[@lethaldose2000]

@@williamroper5422 true, but why are you getting on me the original post left off tons of Tom Hanks movies. I was just trying to help fill the gap.

[@williamroper5422]

@@lethaldose2000 I wasn't trying to get on anyone I was just pointing out that Philadelphia is a big one that should be included and I did already call out the original poster just as much as I did you when I said you both left it out.

[@chadbailey7038]

EVERYONE who served confirms that intro scene is one of the most accurate depictions of front line battle shown on film. So powerful. Great reaction guys!

[@candicebobnock2019]

They said the only thing missing was the smell. 😢

[@jodonnell64]

I've also seen interviews where vets said there weren't enough bodies.

[@justinhephner2117]

The 2 soldiers that were trying to surrender and got shot were saying, in Czech, "Were Czech, not German, we didnt kill anybody" but the US Soldiers shot them anyway, showing the grey area of War, even the US Soldiers were guilty of questionable actions

[@DB-zp9un]

Or they just called their BS..

[@nicholassmith7984]

@@DB-zp9un Germans wouldn't have been speaking Czech.

[@justinhephner2117]

@@DB-zp9un there is a well known fact that LOTS of the "Atlantic Wall" was defended by Czechs that had been Conscripted (forced to fight) from the German Eastern front, Spielberg was tossing a sign of acknowledgement to them

[@GK-yi4xv]

@@nicholassmith7984 Probably not. But 'liberating ethnic German Czechs from oppression' was the excuse Hitler used to occupy Czechoslovakia. (Oscar Schindler was born in Czechoslovakia, for example)

[@TheRimBrakeGuy]

​@@GK-yi4xv the same happened to Luxembourg, people were forced to fight after violent annexation.

[@lethaldose2000]

Hey Spartan and Pudgey, your understanding of Upham failing in the moment of truth during battle of the bridge is so spot on. ------------ We all dream of being heroes until we are in the moment of truth and we are overcome with fear. In fact, paralyzed by it, and then we have to face the reality of our failure. ----------- During war Upham's failure was a matter of life and death. During our daily lives, we get to have a do-over. ------------ I hope to never fail at the moment as Upham did, but you never know.

[@mariuszpudzianowski8400]

Yeah, there are cases of well trained and even experienced soldiers just freezing during battle. This can happen to the thoughest people in the world.

[@harvey4512]

I agree Soilders Can Frezze or Paralyse Fear During Battle. These two Can't blame Uphams fear me too thats the point of Spielbergs Character. He wasn't going full Rambo Throughout till the last battle

[@Jigsawn2]

Yeah, I’ve seen a lot of reactors pouring hate onto Uppham for his inaction so it’s nice to see a more sympathetic take. They were showing how war really affects people on the battlefield and in real life you don’t often get the heroic rescues we are used to in films. I think Uppham has an amazing character arc in this and it wouldn’t be possible without the scene where he’s frozen on the stairs.

[@seanman72]

@@Jigsawn2 Yeah but isn't the guy who walks down the stairs the guy that they let free from the POWs? I thought that was the whole point. Not that he froze up, but that it was also the guy they let run off and then it came to bite them in the ass

[@harvey4512]

@seanman72 No its Not the One they let go from Early they look fairly similar then you see show up shooting miller at the bridge

[@666Emp3ror]

Good that you realize that Uphams behavior was "normal", it actually wasnt very uncommon. Research about WW2 and later wars showed that actually less then 40% of the soldiers in combat actually fired their weapons at the target. Many did not shoot or shoot in the air, and that happened on all sides. Just imagine, most of them were civilians who got drafted and got basic training, then thrown into this mess. Usually the professional soldiers and elite forces had a higher amount of soldiers who actually fought, but not everybody. Not everybody is meant to be a superhero. That late in the war on the german side was even more different. Many german forces were filled up with captured soldiers from czech, poland and other occupied nations (like in the first battle, they instantly surrendered). Later in war the germans sent even kids and retired old men, not the best base for an motivated unit. Waffen-SS and others were different though.

[@Pr0x1mo]

Yup. I wrote in another comment: Imagine the weakest kid in your school, the nerd, the one who gets picked on, can you imagine that kid in war doing anything but just sitting still and hoping not to get killed? Its no surprise upham acted the way he did. He wasn't a combat soldier, he was a linguist.

[@amitchandel1257]

Nah when he said "earn this", he meant the monumental loss his own death, his sacrifice for Ryan was about to be to him: to never see his wife again, return to the simple life he loved, maybe get back in touch with the humanity he lost. He wanted it to mean something in those last moments he knew he had, because Miller' loss was enormous to himself.

[@JackulaHD]

at the <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="650">10:50</a> mark when Pudgey mentions a trap, its quite the opposite. It's missed by most the first time they watch this film but if you look at the subtitles it's saying "speaking Czech" instead of "speaking German" like it did for that line in the trench a little earlier where Spartan made the comment about the first to surrender being shot. The Wehrmacht and Waffen SS had limited numbers and so would hand garrison duties such as guarding the atlantic wall over to conscripted men from conquered nations. This particular soldier is from the Czech Republic. It's a really sad tale where he was taken from his home, shipped across to Normandy in Northern France and then forced to fight or be shot for disobeying his German officers. While surrendering in this scene he is actually saying he is Czech not German and that he did not fight or shoot anyone and is essentially begging for his life. I really like the addition of the character as it does go a long way to furthering the depth of the film and capturing historic stuff like this, I just wish it was made a little more obvious to those without the knowledge going in.

[@mariuszpudzianowski8400]

As far as I remember there was even one Chinese soldier fighting for Nazis that was taken prisoner.

[@Waterford1992]

Czechoslovakia at that time whereas the Czech Republic has only been around since 1993

[@JackulaHD]

@@Waterford1992 True. I am using modern names for countries that still exist today to avoid confusion given Spartan/Pudgey aren't experts on 20th century history/geography.

[@GodfatherCZ1]

Yes ..they said ,,Do not shoot , i didn't kill anybody'' ,, I am Czech''

[@mariuszpudzianowski8400]

@@GodfatherCZ1 Which might very well be true as German forces at that place were a mix of new recruits and some vets moved from Eastern Front.

[@Mangolite]

“Saving Private Ryan” is a phenomenal war film. Another excellent war movie is “Hacksaw Ridge” (2016), starring Andrew Garfield. It is based on the incredible bravery of Desmond Doss.

[@Jigsawn2]

That film almost gave me PTSD. If the start of Saving Private Ryan makes you recoil at the intensity and horror of the war zone, this film is even a level beyond that. I left the cinema shellshocked!

[@dougfisher1266]

Quick story about being an only child in a war...I was in the USMC Reserve when Sadam invaded Kuwait. We were a tank unit, and were activated and sent to Iraq via the USS Tarawa. As we were boarding the ship, my platoon Sgt. caught me and told me I did not have to get on, as I was an only child. I wanted to go, so I had to sign paperwork to go. FF a few months and we were in the well deck of the ship getting ready to hit the shore and start the ground war. Again, the same Sgt found me and told me I did not have to get off the ship and fight. And again I signed paperwork to go and fight. The US Government is serious about keeping family bloodlines going.

[@Sharpester]

I watched this on opening day in a packed theater half full of WW2 Vets and their families. Even during the opening beach landing, you could hear men weeping all around you.

[@Pr0x1mo]

I was 16 when this came out and i went by myself so i actually sat with all the WW2 vets and yeah, same thing, just tears.

[@arhickernell]

Greatest war movie of all time. Highly recommend watching the mini series Band of Brothers, The Pacific, and Masters of the Air. Same Spielberg and Hanks collaboration.

[@joshuawells835]

It's said that the opening scene of the D-Day Landings was so realistic and accurate, that there were WWII veterans who had to leave movie theaters due to PTSD attacks. The scene sent them right back to Utah and Omaha Beaches.

[@Sleeeeepy_D]

You commented in the opening scene about this being the most realistic war movie you’ve seen. They showed this to a bunch of WWII vets when it came out and they said the only thing this movie couldn’t capture was the smell, but the sights, sounds, anxiety were all portrayed as realistically as possible

[@AndyG5435]

While I understand why you mention “both sides”… the world was not doing “the same thing”. So I was a little put off by the comment. Germany, Hitler, and the Nazis killed 6 million Jews. This wasn’t a battle of politics or territory. Alot of people have suggested Band of Brothers and it would be important to watch from a historical standpoint. That and Schindlers List.

[@LudusAurea]

Well, most of the world. Russia, Cambodia, Japan, were doing the same thing before or during or after this period. Laos, China, tons of eastern european countries that were in the USSR and/or afterwards, too. Genocide wasn't unique to the Nazis and compared to what happened later they actually killed less people in total, but the Holocaust stands out because it was mostly targeted at one group. It was absolutely also a battle of territory. Germany's WW2 was about retaking territory that German ultranationalists like Hitler felt belonged to them and they were entitled to it, as well as expanding territory. Same goes for Japan when they invaded Manchuria and other asian territories. Hitler was a piece of shit, the Holocaust was only part of his plan. If he'd gotten his way all of Europe and America if not more would have been under the Reich's control.

[@mhryciuk0785]

Exactly. They may be average joes vs avg joes but one side is fighting to take over the world and kill/torture/experiment on millions of people and the other side is ONLY there to stop it from happening. There is ONLY one side. Hint. It's NOT the side of evil. I guess we shouldn't expect more from Australian education. Of course this movie is biased. I think what you were trying to say was that they showed how the good guys could also be bad IE outright murdering someone with their hands in the air. But there is no way you can act like both sides are just doing their Gov't bidding and it's equal. It is NOT.

[@MattMajcan]

its kind of hard to make this point when the winners of ww2 are currently carrying out another holocaust as we speak. these people dont care about humanity, america joined ww2 because it came out of it as one of the world's 2 superpowers. they nuked japan to assert dominance over the ussr. it had everything to do with politics

[@nooneofconsequence1251]

@@LudusAurea the Holocaust stands out for many different reasons. It was genocide on an industrial scale. More people died during Stalin's 5-year plan and China's Great Leap Forward, and the Japanese committed war crimes that will give you nightmares just reading about them, but that doesn't in any way diminish the unique horror of the Holocaust. It's *not* because it was only directed at one group, either. Russians, Poles, Serbs, Gypsies, Arabs and Muslims, homosexuals, the handicapped, Freemasons and other religious/social minorities, various POWs and many other minority groups, ethnic or otherwise, died in large numbers, often by the thousands or even millions. 6 million Jews were wiped out in the Holocaust, which is absolutely horrible and should never be diminished or denied. In some places the Jewish population that had existed for hundreds or thousands of years was reduced by 90-100%. But there were 17 million total victims of the Holocaust... the majority of which were not Jewish. Jews were just the largest single group within that 17 million, and also subject to many other very public abuses leading up to the Holocaust.

[@beautybysaranwrap]

Matt Damon’s monologue about his brothers was improvised and he did so freaking well

[@drewf8619]

@<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2270">37:50</a> P.O.W. stands for prisoner of war.

[@texasps91]

This was D-Day, the landing at Normandy France. The Big Push into Europe. The US, England, Canada and other countries joined in the landing planned for many months. My dad was there on the Navy destroyer the USS Frankford. He was a gunner. A soldier radioed his ship when the tank was hit and could not move. He sent them the coordinates of the bunkers that needed to be taken out in order for the soldiers to move up the hill. They sent him the coordinates and the Frankford went in so close and turned in parallel to the shore in order to hit the bunker, risking running aground which would have made them an easy target and taken the ship out. My dad sent the 5 inch silos and took them out. General Eisenhower and General Bradley said if they had not done that the landing was about to be called off, too many lives being lost. Several other destroyers saw what the Frankford was doing and followed suit. I am so proud of the small part my dad and the USS Frankford played in saving the landing.

[@dudeusmaximus6793]

WOW. A tale worthy of telling. Respect and blessings to your father and all those who stepped up and acted when they did.

[@jamesh2401]

The one line that just hits me hard is at the end when he asks his wife to tell him he's a good man. A grown man who's been through hell in war needing that comfort from his wife to ease his conscience, it's just beautifully delivered. Such a simple need but it means so much.

[@bvbxiong5791]

You guys are the most sympathetic reactors to Upham I've seen. Lots of people were really mad at Upham. And "POW" stands for "Prisoner of War".

[@lethaldose2000]

Hey Spartan and Pudgey, the funny thing about seeing Matt Damon in the field of flowers. At the time when the movie was made, he was an unknown actor, he has only done 2 or 3 movies. ----------- Then he shot to fame after making "Good Will Hunting" Which is another great movie you guys have to check out with Matt Damon that came out one year before this movie. ---------- Especially how you both love to dive into deep psychological and ideological concepts that surround the themes that underly some of the best movie scripts ever written.

[@mattyice9535]

"That one I save just for me." Is a line i think about more often than most.

[@DrSwain-ws1in]

"On the boat man?" had no business being that funny lol

[@lethaldose2000]

Hey Spartan and Pudgey, A point of note with Spielberg. He made "Saving Private Ryan" for his father who was a WWII vet. --------- He made "Shindler's List" for his mother and family members (10), that she lost in the Holocaust. ------ He wrestled with making both movies for a very long time. ----- Not knowing if he would be up to the task.

[@rollomaughfling380]

"He made 'Shindler's List' for his mother who was a holocaust survivor." 1. *Schindler's 2. What in the world are you talking about, 'Holocaust survivor'? Leah Adler, Spielberg's mother, was born in Cincinnati, and lived her entire life in the US. You're out of your mind.

[@buzzkillington6945]

​@rollomaughfling380 People will just spout of random nonsense they see in KZbin comments lol. That's like me saying I survived 911 even though I was in California at the time 😂

[@lethaldose2000]

@@rollomaughfling380 I corrected the post the movie was made for his mother to honor the 10 family members that died in the holocaust.

[@rollomaughfling380]

@@lethaldose2000 Good on ye.

[@lethaldose2000]

Hey Spartan and Pudgey, what was really amazing about your reaction is the breakdown you give as to the symbol that Saving Private Ryan himself represents. ------- Then come to hear two separate moments of dialogue in the movie that addresses the very dilemma that you spoke about. ------- I know for sure Spielberg and the writers were aware of it and wanted to verbalize it in the movie. -------- Tom Hanks talks about losing 95 men to save 10 times that amount. -------- Tom Sizemore also talks about saving private Ryan as being the only good act they can take away from being in WW2. Amazing.

[@chadbailey7038]

I’ve seen this movie countless times. I still cried 5 times watching your reaction like this is my First viewing. Masterpiece.

[@space_1073]

They're speedrunning all the movies 14 year old boys watch when they start getting into movies I love it 😂😂😂

[@dylanholman3]

The way that old man Ryan’s wife reacted at the grave implies that he never told her about the captain or what happened. Which was the reality for soooo many veterans. They just bottled everything up and carried on with their lives. What a generation of men.

[@joeybossolo7]

The greatest there’s ever been.

[@ps5392]

Certainly won’t impinge upon said generation’s greatness, but bottling everything up and never talking about anything….probably not the healthiest thing most of them could’ve done.

[@ps5392]

I’ve always thought this too. Ryan never mentioned Miller or the fact that the army sent a squad to retrieve him after his brothers were killed, even to his wife. She seems to have no idea. That’s crazy when you think about it.

[@mariuszpudzianowski8400]

What's scary about those machine guns germans are using is they shoot even faster than depicted here. Look it up on yt, you can't even make out one shot from another, in fact MG-42 has higher fire-rate than many MGs that came after it. But it overheated very quickly.

[@fubar1217]

Wasn't it nicknamed the "zipper" because that's what it sounds like when firing?

[@mariuszpudzianowski8400]

@@fubar1217 Yep, it had couple nicknames, more famous one was "Hitler's Buzzsaw"

[@LightMovies]

I've done my military service in 1994 in Italy and we used MG-42/59, which is a MG-42 taken by Italian army and lightly modified in 1959 to shot 7,62x51mm NATO and not the 7,62x53mm MAUSER of the original. The rating of a MG-42 (and 42/59) is from 1200 up to 1500 bullets per minutes, and has a hitting range of 800 meters (874 yards).

[@mariuszpudzianowski8400]

@@LightMovies Scary stuff, have you fired any yourself? If so, how was it?

[@LightMovies]

@@mariuszpudzianowski8400 Yes, of course. Once a month we went to the shooting range, firing both the Garand rifle and the MG-42/59. As for the feeling: it's scary the first time, but then you get used to it. You need to take precautions; otherwise, you can get seriously hurt just handling an MG. For example, if you touch the barrel with bare hands after firing, it will stick to you and fuse your hand with the barrel because it's too hot. That's why you need to stay focused even afterwards.

[@rowenatulley852]

The scene where Mrs. Ryan collapses on the porch KILLS me every time . . .

[@KaminishinoYari]

Band of Brothers - Tom Hanks & Steven Spielberg masterpiece. Following the 101st Airborne E-company. The company in which Ryan would have jumped into France with from this film. But you'll get so much more story and in-depth with the soldiers and the phases of WW2, from the draft and training to the end. It's gonna beat every series you've seen beforehand by a mile. GG

[@lethaldose2000]

Hey Spartan and Pudgey, You guys mentioned watching "Saving Private Ryan" would have made you more interested in modern history. Many teachers have used these movies and many more to introduce their students to different events in history. Another big movie that is shown are, " Shindler's List", "Appollo 13". So many movies can't be shown because they are too violent or sexual for kids.

[@WrestleGermainia]

The German slowly pushing the knife in to Mellish's chest is probably the hardest scene for me to watch out of any scene in any movie. I think this Movie collectively has my top 3 of those lol. The entire story is a complete slog through a terrible war that doesn't even come close to glorifying it, I wonder why I put myself through rewatching it each time but I'll still find myself doing it again in the future. What an absolute masterpiece.

[@lethaldose2000]

That is one of the best death depictions ever

[@grantdillon3420]

Yeah that's definitely the scenr that cements for me that this is not so much a war movie but a war horror movie.

[@fubar1217]

Agreed....that scene is brutal because of how slow the knife goes in and they're face to face.

[@senorstinkfist]

Been waiting to see this one pop up. I saw this in the theater, and several elderly walked out during the opening scene, at least one was a veteran for sure. Its an achievement in motion picture filmmaking, it changed sound design and some camera techniques for decades to come. Along with The Thin Red Line and a few more recent, its held aloft in standout modern war films. Hanks in the middle of his amazing run from Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Castaway, Apollo 13, Toy Story etc. and Spielberg with his run of Jurassic Park, Schindlers List Amistad and Ryan. It also begat the Spielberg/Hanks relationship that gave us Band of Brothers , The Pacific and Master of the Air

[@heyheyjk-la]

Seeing this when it first came out on one of the biggest movie screens in the United States with a loud surround sound system was an amazing, and emotional, experience. Especially that last battle, when you saw the ground shaking in the film you could feel your seat shaking, too. Definitely one of the greatest WWII films of all time.

[@solongdentahlplaan7975]

P.O.W = Prisoner Of War

[@purpleace1565]

Fun fact about the filming of this movie: In an effort to make the on screen animosity towards Private Ryan seem more authentic, Steven Spielberg put every actor through a grueling 7 day boot camp that was designed to make their lives as harsh and miserable as possible. Matt Damon was the only actor who was excluded from it all, so when he finally showed up to the set all the other actors were already bitter towards him.

[@t0dd000]

I also think this is one of Damon's worst performances.

[@francisalbert1799]

“Earn this..” Miller basically telling Ryan a lot of people sacrificed their lives for him and he better go live a life worth living. ❤

[@kellie9276]

The greatest generation to ever live. God Bless America.

[@fubar1217]

Yep. There's a reason they're referred to as the greatest generation.

[@joeybossolo7]

100%

[@MattMajcan]

these boomers are literally commiting their own genocide against the middle east as we speak.

[@manosst4711]

You gotta watch Fury too... Love watching you guys!

[@rollomaughfling380]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="622">10:22</a> Spartan: "Also save ammunition . . ."

[@74gould]

I saw this in the theater when it came out. What an emotional experience. Half the audience was in tears when the credits rolled… Absolutely a classic. My favorite WW2 film.

[@bullhawk.]

"Why is everyone in every movie risking their lives for Matt Damon?" 😂😂 I never thought of it like that before, good catch Pudgey👸

[@bullhawk.]

In all seriousness, I choked up several times watching this reaction. We can never repay the debt we owe to those brave men who fought and died so far away from home. Thank you forever 🫡🫶

[@fnx427]

TBH, the whole premise of sacrificing several people for no stategic porpose is ethically fucked up and ruins the movie.

[@SVanTha]

You can't go back now once you've seen Private Ryan...you have to do all the war movies. We need reactions to Hacksaw Ridge, Fury, Blackhawk Down, American Sniper, Behind Enemy Lines, Enemy at the Gates and the Hurt Locker.

[@InlandOne]

I’m a 20 yr retired US Air Force Vet & I’ve seen SPR many times, but yours was one of the best reactions I’ve seen. Nice.

[@WRAFofzelichking]

I dont know if anyone said this but the little monologue about Ryans memories with his brothers at school was 100% improvisation on the spot. I'm always baffled, I wonder if he had some sort of mental ammo for it, like if some of the story were actually true or parts, and he just switched the names or if it was purely from his imagination. Brilliant acting from a brilliant actor!

[@Mike_294]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="532">8:52</a> Imagine your final thoughts being how someone took one look at you and told the medic, "He's gone. Move onto someone you can save."

[@caps_lock_]

These are the kinds of films they need to show in high school. We owe these nen everything!

[@arraymac227]

in the theatre, the sound of those approaching tanks was something else.

[@odinravenghast1246]

My father who died in 2017 fought in World War II. He was in France, Belgium and Germany. He saw some really messed up things. He was in a tank battalion. You have no idea how bad things were and how good things are now for us. And the United States and other countries lost sooo many young men in order to prevent the world from being ruled by a psychopath who would have killed so many people for who they were. Thank God that we had such strong and great men in that generation who were willing to give up their lives in order to allow us the freedoms that we have today.

[@jeffreydrozek-fitzwater4649]

This month marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day is a great occasion to watch this. I will never sell short the tremendous courage and fortitude of those men. And I appreciate your empathy towards Upham. As others have noted, many reactors excoriate him. He just wasn’t made for that.

[@felipevazquez3395]

The actor of Fish was the crazy roomate of Chandler, Eddie in Friends

[@deltablaze77]

Ryan's Wife: "Did you know him?" He never told them, any of them, his own wife, he kept all that pain off of their shoulders and carried it alone.

[@HIGHRISH420]

There's only one man left alive that was in that war and landed on those beaches. He did an interview not too long ago. It was gut wrenching

[@AndrewKendall71]

My grandfather's unit followed the invasion. He arrived on the beach seen at the beginning 3 days after D-Day to join units following those who took the beach. It's unbelievable that this setting is real and within living memory. He and my grandmother went to Normandy and visited that cemetery in about 2000.

[@nooneofconsequence1251]

Those who were at D-Day have called the opening 20 minutes of this film the most realistic depiction of war ever filmed. Absolutely harrowing, even just watching it in a movie theater. Can't imagine being there. Then surviving it, in a world that didn't understand things like PTSD.

[@richardkarram3122]

Hard to hold back the tears at the end of this classic movie 😢😢, Hacksaw Ridge, Band of Brothers, Full Metal Jacket are definitely worth checking out, these movies are a stark reminder that FREEDOM ISNT FREE......

[@petercastaneda5338]

Wade, the medic had no business, no business whatsoever joining the rest of the assault element during the attack on the machine gun position. He had no weapons, and was not necessary at all in the attack.

[@GK-yi4xv]

And Upham sat like a useless lump when he could have taken out one or more of the Germans from his sheltered position, or at least offered a little suppressing fire to keep their heads down. But was never told to do so. You have the element of total surprise, and you waste it on a frontal charge, uphill, across open ground? You have a sniper of Jackson's proven caliber, who could probably have taken out the entire machine gun nest before they knew what hit them, and you send him instead on a suicide charge across open ground, shooting from the hip? You can't see anything over the hill, but you gamble everyone, and your mission, that a machine gun nest protecting a German radar installation is out in the middle of nowhere, with no backup? You have total air superiority, which will be along soon to obliterate the machine gun nest, but you refuse to 'go around'? (are you going to divert from your actual mission every time you see Germans? They're everywhere!) Reiben was right. The entire attack was terribly executed. Criminally so, given the outcome. (still love the movie)

[@mickelsie5461]

How this drew with Arrival shows how little young people regard history. An insult to this masterpiece.

[@lexksa]

This is a very realistic WW2 movie. My great grandfather was on Normandy's beach on DDay, and to this day he's one of the best men i've met. The veterans watching the premiere of this movie had to walk out due to it being so realistic. What an extraordinary film, which represents many extraordinary lives.

[@dom3267]

When this came out, The theaters had crisis a numbers available for veterans. Due to their PTSD and walking out of the opening scene. And they do pull a brother out if it’s going to save the family line.

[@LudusAurea]

I think that Shia line from Fury sums up all war pretty succinctly. “Just wait till you see it.” “See what?” “What a man can do to another man.” What a cluster the 20th century was and it’s still happening.

[@penguin8711]

Great reactions guys. I've followed you since hotd s1 so it's great to see you reaction to this. My father was there. When he watched this his first thoughts were how all the sounds were so real and brought him back. He also appreciated Upham and said: That's how everyone feels their first time in combat. 'It's easy to be brave watching a movie'. when people start to shoot at you, it's quite different.

[@niravathu7353]

The opening scene is a full 30 minutes, and perhaps the most harrowing 30 minutes that modern audiences have seen. The actual landing on June 6th, 1944, was a full day of *THAT*

[@smokeshivgaming9150]

Cool fact, Upham is played by Jeremy Davies, who voiced Baldur in God of War, and the deaf soldier who gives Ryan's last known whereabouts is Ryan Hurst, who voiced Thor in God of War Ragnarok!

[@magicbrownie1357]

A "Pool" is an American term for a cache of money that is being held in trust (not legally) until someone wins the money, or pool, by accomplishing whatever it is the pool is about. In this case, whoever found out where Capt Miller was from. If someone weasels the info out of the Capt, they get the entire pool. $5 gets each person who wants to play into the pool, but the first person to win gets all the money. This is also a popular way office workers bet on sports. They'll have a pool on what the score of the Super Bowl in football or World Series in baseball will be. In 1970's my mother won an office pool on baseball and she took home $1200 on $5 bet.

[@Jigsawn2]

There’s a good mini podcast series out recently by author Dan Snow for D-Day anniversary that I recommend. One fact relevant to this movie I learned in the podcast is that the original plan for the beach landings was for tanks to front the assaults. They had some tanks in landers and others that were actually able to drive on sea for short distances. Unfortunately due to the weather and other factors the timings got messed up leaving them coming in too late in many cases whilst infantry got shredded. Ones that made it ashore a lot got blown up almost immediately clogging the way for more landings. Other tanks became sitting ducks once on the beach because the desperate infantry were using them as cover, or the tank crews had no option to move because there were so many wounded lying around them and they didn’t want to run them over. The tanks did find success in some places where they were able to take out fortified positions but overall the issues with armour really didn’t meet first contact with the enemy, so it was the poor infantry that had to do most of it.

[@therealcamsmitty9852]

Now y’all gotta watch We Were Soldiers. 13 Hours. Lone Sourvior. Black Hawk Down.

[@realitycheck5376]

My father was in WW 2 in a battle just like at the end of this movie in France (may have been Ramelle). He was in a building with 7 other guys firing on the Germans. A tank fired into the building killing everybody except my father. He had gotten blown out of a window. He received a purple heart for his shrapnel wounds. He had gotten two purple hearts during his time in the war.

[@meltorme-ntor2933]

The scenes where the Germans are surrendering and still they get shot shows you just how brutal war is. At some point you are a soldier in that situation you just don't care anymore. You are angry, terrified, frustrated, you want revenge, you don't want to take prisoners because they may turn on you. So many emotions going through your head. And the thing is, if the roles were reversed, the Germans would have done exactly the same thing. War is horrible, and strips away all your humanity. I would have done the exact same thing.

[@StoriesThatSuck-pw1vi]

I saw this in a new theater when it first came out. The theater had a state-of-the-art sound system and, during the Normandy landing scenes in the beginning, it sounded like bullets were whizzing past my head. It was traumatic, even though I knew it wasn't real. I can't imagine what it's like to actually experience something like that. Powerful movie.