SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998) - FIRST TIME WATCHING! - movie reaction!
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- čas přidán 15. 01. 2022
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I don't trust the humanity of anyone who doesn't cry at this movie.
The most powerful story I've heard about this movie... when Spielberg was screening it for the first time, he had the WWII Veterans that helped as advisors in the audience. A few minutes into the D-Day scenes, he noticed several of the veterans walking out. He had the film stopped, and went to see why they left, afraid they hated the movie already. He found those Veterans in the lobby, crying, and shaking, and holding each other. These old men, who'd been there on that beach more than 50 years ago... it was too much for them.
Every time I re-watch this movie now, it's not the battle scene that makes me cry the most, it's the scenes with "old" Ryan at the grave of Miller.
I'd imagine veterans have different points in the movie that always gets them. For me, it's always the scene on the homefront when the mother gets the letter about her sons. That's like another level.
I read about a ww2 veteran who had to leave because he could smell diesel fumes in the theater.
They could smell diesel after seeing the beach scene.
Required viewing for all Americans.
Dude, the first time I watched this movie, at around 12 or 13 I cried at the opening scene, but ESPECIALLY when he asked his wife to tell him he was a good man. Seven hells that hit hard and I'm an autistic stoic. I don't show much of any emotion for much. That hit so hard.
“Earn this”. Only two words but one of the most powerful lines in movie history in my opinion.
“If it’ll get me a few hundred miles across country, sure - I’ll take a shot in the mouth.” - George Carlin (Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back)
He was speaking to all Americans, then and now, when he said that.
is it more powerful than "THIS IS SPARTA!" hahaha
"Negative, I am a meat popsicle."
Corbin Dallas (Bruce Willis) in The Fifth Element.
A bit of a tangent - but you made me think. These are words I'm very thankful that God does not say to us. I wouldn't be able to earn anything for myself. But when Jesus came he said: "It is finished." He saved us before we could possibly earn it.
My grandfather landed on Juno Beach on D-Day, and fought through the rest of the war. He was fluent in German and was always near the front as a translator for captured Germans. He was shot three times during the liberation of Holland, but survived and rejoined his unit after recovering. He was shot by a sniper the day after the war in Europe was ended, and lost his left leg. After the war, he suffered from bad PTSD, and became an alcoholic and a pretty abusive husband and father. His family eventually ran away from him and then he hung himself. Another casualty of WW2. People don't like to talk about the effects of the war, but I'm so glad you are sensitive to these issues and I loved your comments. Thank you.
Your grandfather was Canadian?
@@MPascolin yes. Me too.
This is horrible. He should have been sent home after the first injury. These were young boys 18 and 19 years old and they were not professional soldiers. What did we gain from all that? Today it just sounds stupid to think of Germans or Japanese as enemies. It was all a war forced on the world by powerful forces that didn't give a damn about the lives ruined
My mother's first marriage was to a veteran who had similar impacts and issues. The truth is that the war's impact echoed for years afterwards, through the individuals who served and through their families. Your comment shows how well you have come to understand and empathize with what your grandfather and other veterans suffered. All wars lead to these lingering wounds, so hopefully we will be sensitive to those living in our communities now who are dealing with them.
@@yaimavol We gained freedom from tyranny and oppression. The only reason it sounds stupid is because WE won. Germany and Japan were major threats only 80 years ago, look up The Nanking Massacre as one example of Japanese brutality, and I shouldn't need to point out what the Germans were doing to the Jewish population. Britain most likely would've fallen if not for American intervention, the political landscape today could've looked a lot different. Otherwise, the amount of technology that came out of the war exponentially brought humanity forward - not that I'm saying it was "worth it", but its a well known fact that warfare necessitates innovation and most of our modern communications can be attributed to achievements made during this period, not to mention the advancements in rocket technology from acquired German assets.
BAND OF BROTHERS. Absolutely a much watch series. It is every bit the quality of this and is a true story. Also a good portion of it is set in Belgium. Your reaction to this film was excellent and with your interest in the subject, you will be very very glad you watched Band of Brothers.
The Pacific gets lost in the shadow of Band of Brothers. That show shows the brutality of the Pacific Theatre. It was personal. It was brutal. It was gruesome.
Band of Brother was produced by Tom Hanks and is definitely up there with Saving Private Ryan and in many ways surpasses it simply because it's based on true events and the length of the series gives you some sense of what it was like living (or not living) through this time.
@@binder38us totally agree well the Pacific is not about a specific company of soldiers, it does tell true stories of individuals who found themselves in incredibly dangerous and horrific situations during major battles that decided the war.
Generation Kill, another HBO war series, gets lost in the shadow of Band of Brothers and The Pacific. Very realistic portrayal of a Recon Marine PLT during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Usually too realistic for viewers who expect all the glory of the other two HBO series. Iraq wasn't Grandpa's war.
@@binder38us Every one always tries and pair The Pacific with Band of Brothers but it simply is not on the same level of quality or message.
Mary: "I don't know much about it... let's just jump into it" Me: "Oh shit"
I’ll never be able to get through that scene where he says “Tell me I’ve lived a good life. Tell me I’m a good man”. That scene will break me every time.
elzar760
I've seen comments from viewers saying that he needed to hear his wife say those words because of his "survivor's guilt". But i don't think that's it. He had traveled to France and that graveyard to speak directly to Captain Miller. He said that he thought every day about "those words you said to me on that bridge (earn this, earn it)".
He explained that he had tried to live his life to the best of his ability.
When he was joined by his wife, he asked her to say out loud ("tell me ") that he had led a good life, that he was a good man. She seemed a bit puzzled, but complied. He could have asked her that at home - i think it was for Miller's hearing. I think it was just that important to Ryan that Miller would rest in the peace that his sacrifice had been honored.
@@Blue-qr7qe Good point,this movie is so close to reality.
I tear up every time I hear those lines
For all the gut wrenching moments in this movie, that question to his wife is so emotional and shows that he carried that 'Earn This' his whole life
Like most war veterans, Ryan apparently has never told his wife or his family his story in the war. His wife had to read Capt. John Miller’s name in the marble cross grave marker-not knowing who he was. Ryan wanted his wife to confirm before Miller’s grave that he had honored Miller’s death wish-for Ryan to live a good life and that he had been a good man. Ryan was overcame by the realization of the enormity of the sacrifice Miller and his men who died in France in order for him to live a full happy life and have a family. Ryan felt he could never really repay their sacrifice and the best he could do to honor them was to have a family and live a long happy life. Indeed, the free world that came off WW2 owe an eternal debt to the “greatest generation” who fought that war and liberated the world from fascist tyranny. Thank you for your sensitive and touching reaction to this Spielberg film masterpiece.
Hacksaw Ridge from 2016, deals with a conscientious objector who volunteers to become a medic in the Pacific Theater of WW2. Based on a real man and what he went through and did, you will not be disappointed.
Great movie
No one will ever fault you for tearing up during this movie. I rewatched this with my Dad while he was in the VA Hospital. A former Marine and a former Navy sailor sitting in silence with tears in their eyes. This movie is a masterpiece.
The story was inspired by the Sullivan brothers who were sailors that all died together in WW2. There is a great song about this from 1997 called Sullivan by the band Caroline's Spine.
I would have a problem if anyone reacting to this didn't tear up.
I've stopped watching some CZcamsrs because of how heartless their reactions are.
The movie was more based on the Niland brothers.
@@mack7882 This is correct. Fritz Niland was the brother that served in the 101th Airborne. His eldest brother did survive being shot down, but as he was a POW, the family only knew about that near the end of the war. As a sidenote, Fritz was a close friend of Warren Muck and Donald Malarky of Easy company of Band of Brothers fame.
Yep, couldn't agree more. If ever there was a movie where it's justified to get emotional, it's this one. Not just because it's one of Spielberg's best but also because the subject matter is definitely emotionally charged. There's real pain and pathos behind that war.
Their reactions when Wade asked for some morphine was heartbreaking. They all knew there was nothing they could do for him at that point but ease his passing. 😢
Also that more than two doses was probably lethal on its own
He knew he was dying when he realized his liver was shot. And yees that 2nd shot of morphine is likely lethal given his blood loss. He knew that. Heartbreaking scene
@@heywoodjablome619 Yes sir
Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List, Band of Brothers and Das Boot are must sees when it comes to WWII
+1 for Das Boot.
Best submarine film ever made IMO.
Need to add the Pacific to that list
I would add the new Midway (2019), Pacific and most likely the coming Masters Of The Air.
Come and see: Am I a joke to you?
I would add Downfall, Letters of Iwo Jima, and Tora! Tora! Tora! to this list too.
I'm a 60 year old man that served in two branches of the USA military and combat veteran of Desert Storm... I've seen this film a number of times but never got emotional watching it til now. 🎥
Your emotionally charged reactions literally brought tears to my own eyes.
You're an outstanding reactor Mary and your reaction to this film got to me in my feels. ❤ 👍 🇺🇸 Thank You. ✌
...and thank you for your service too. My dad is a veteran. He gave the best years of his life (and health) in service to the nation (and those other places where he served). I appreciate your sacrifices as well as the sacrifices of your family too. My dad missed many holidays, birthdays and other events while serving overseas. However, we didn't begrudge him for it because we were proud of what he was doing. We never forgot how much he loves his nation and the people in it (and just people in general). My dad is my hero.
Thank you for your service!
The typists you saw writing the letters don't just "make up stories about how it was all worth it." The officers commanding the soldiers who are killed in action write the letters. They know the soldiers and the events surrounding their deaths. Those letters are then sent back to the states where they are transcribed by the typists and sent to the families. The words sent to their grieving loved ones are not meaningless. On a side note, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003). :D
Yes, there really was a concerted effort to send at least partly accurate circumstances downwind to end up in those letters. But, even if it was sketchy, they still wanted the families to get what at least feels real and personalized and heartwarming.
Writing of those letters was arguably one of the hardest duties of platoon,company, battalion, and regimental commanders. In WW2 it was formalized to a degree never done before in the US (the proliferation of transatlantic telegraph cables made much more rapid communication possible). Although for example Harry S. Truman 33rd President of the US, was an Army CaptaIn in WW1, commanding Battery D of the 129th. The letters he wrote home to the families of his men gave him a prominence in Missouri that he never had before; quite likely those letters and the memory of them set him on the path to be President.
Master and commander is a great movie.
I wonder what the commanders of the 13 Americans who died during Biden's failed Afghanistan evacuation wrote. You can bet it wasn't what he wanted to say. And I know the 6 children he murdered to cover up the bad press will only get $$$$$.
@@patfranks785 I bet you’re fun at Thanksgiving dinner.
"Now the shaking stopped" That sentence from Mary broke my heart! :(
When Captain Miller says "Earn This" to Ryan on the bridge, don't just see it as a message to him but a message to all of us who live under the freedom that those men sacrificed their lives for, because that is the debt that we owe to the future.
Marij, your empathy and sincerity and emotional intelligence are truly infectious. You understand the sacrifice, the loss and the emotion at the deepest levels and it makes you such a great reactor. Keep up the good work.
The opening of this movie reminds those of us who never been there that War is a brutal affair. Period.
It teared me up. Especially when he turns to his wife and practically begs her to tell him, in front of the man who saved his life, his life has value.
“War is sweet to those who have no experience of it. But the experienced man trembles exceedingly in his heart at its approach.” Pindar
When people react to the landing scene in this movie, it is always sobering. So many people know what D-Day was, but don't know what it meant.
As an Iowan grandson of an Iowan that landed at D-Day, this movie means a lot to me. Thank you for your reaction.
God bless him!
That was a very heartfelt reaction to a very tough movie about very distressing events. I loved your comments and your tears. Thank you for sharing them with us/me. I’m an old Australian bloke whose father fought in World War 2 as an RAAF pilot but in the Pacific theatre of operations. He came home from the War in one piece but didn’t talk much about his experiences to us as kids. We got more info from his brothers, our uncles (there were 6 of them) who all went to War but in different services. Luckily they all came back alive though 2 were wounded in action. Cheers and thanks again 🤠👍🌹
An absolutely beautiful reaction. And your remarks about someone not knowing what they would do in those situations is so true. Your sense of humor, sweetness, and intelligence comes through in all you're reactions, no matter what genre. It's always pleasure when you share your reactions.
Mary, love your channel. I remember watching this in the theater. My wife was constantly whispering to me,"Are you OK?" I'd recently retired from the US Army [20+ years, Infantry, Airborne, Ranger] and had been to some of the really crappy places in the world, and did/experienced some pretty crappy things. But this movie now has even more meaning for us. In 2004, we received "that knock on our door" to inform us that our son [an Army Infantryman] had been killed in IRAQ.
My grandfather was at Dunkirk he got a medal for saving the Frigate that was picking up guys from the beach, The Thin Red Line is a fantastic movie.
The 2 soldiers surrendering at the start are saying in czech "dont shoot, dont shoot, we didnt kill anyone". Spielberg didnt subtitle it and anyone who doesnt speak czech would probably miss it.
Yes. I think the idea here was to give the viewer the subjective feeling of American soldiers, they don't speak Czech and most of us don´t, so he´s giving us a disoriented feel as well. That provides to viewers a feeling of greater immersion in the battlefield.
They were conscripts forced to fight on the front lines as cannon fodder, which was common for the Nazis to do in territories they annexed. Also, the Allies were under orders to take no prisoners for the first 3 days of the invasion, due to the logistics nightmare of trying to hold POWs whilst taking an incredibly fortified position.
The reason this is shown is to demonstrate that in war, there is no black and white, only shades of grey. Everyone likes to think the Allies were saints defending the world from the forces of darkness, but we did some pretty bad shit ourselves, and justified it in the name of victory.
Always remember, it is the victors who write history :/
@@lordmortarius538 it sucks they had to kill prisoners, but that is so minor compared to the crimes of the axis powers. Suggesting they are equivalent is pretty cringe.
If the axis don’t start a genocidal war of annihilation, the Allies never have to successfully invade Western Europe.
@@qwerty30013 No one said that those things are equivalent, so wtf are you talking about?
@@qwerty30013 "never have to successfully"... My gosh, get your prideful booty for something youve never contributed towards out of here, hurt weirdo.
What the us did to Native Americans + slavery. What the Brits did in the colonies. The french before to revolution to its own people. Every country has severe shit on its boot. There are no clean sheets in the world. Humanity is evil and no country has the right to call others generally evil or themselves good.
When Miller says "earn this" to Ryan. The message is not from one character to another in a film. But to you! You as an inheritor of their sacrifice - Make it count, earn it.
"The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war." -- Gen. Douglas MacArthur
10:08 Americans or allies. They also gave out these kids toys which were a little piece of tin that you could make a clicking sound with. So you would click once and wait for the other guy to click twice in response or to reply with the flash/thunder thing.
Very simple but I'm sure it saved lives during the invasion of Normandy. I'm sure it was incredibly useful for the paratroopers who were scattered all over the place trying to find their units.
Yes, thunder was chosen because even a German, who speaks very good English struggles to pronounce that word
Took an uncle to see this at a special showing for retired servicemen, quite a few had been there. After the beach battle scene the projectionist paused the film for half an hour and cups of tea were handed out. It wasn’t the first special showing they had done. Very moving. Steve
That’s the first time I’ve heard that they paused the viewing after the beach scene. That’s really cool, give the veterans time to decompress.
@@realburglazofficial2613 must have been in the British cinema lol.
100% British cinema, no? I could never imagine American cinema pausing a movie in theatres, much less tea over coffee.
The Thin Red Line is another amazing war movie that came out the same year and has an amazing cast.
This is just one of those movies that is required viewing not just for any well rounded film fan, but also by every coming generation. Not just because it shows what sacrifice looks like but because it also realistically portrays how horrifying war is and hopefully inspire peace.
It won't inspire peace sadly, it's also an American flag waving propaganda film so if any war film inspired peace it wouldn't be this one.
"it is well that war is so terrible, else we would grow too fond of it" Robert E. Lee
@@aaronburdon221 But people are too fond of it, despite how terrible it is.
@@Mr.Goodkat never heard or met a person that was fond of war you’re talking out your ass man.
@@Mr.Goodkat have you actually seen the movie what’s propaganda about it? They show the evil and the sadness and the loss on both sides.
Five seconds in, at the grave, "This movie is already so intense." Oh Mary, you have no idea. There's no way to warn someone about the emotions in this movie.
Mary, I have watched many reviews of this movie. Your review has been the best heart felt one I have seen. My uncle went into France on D-day +1. He was in the United States army. He told me out of all the countries he was in that Belgium was the cleanest and prettiest of all. He was also in the battle of the Bulge. He once said war was like hell on earth. I enjoyed your reaction.
Sounds like your uncle and my dad followed the same path. France, Belgium, and the Bulge. He didn't talk much about it, but I have the letters he sent to his parents.
I will never forget the love the people of Belgium have for our guys who fought on their soil. We really do appreciate that you keep our fallen buried both with tremendous care and respect over there. You make our warriors proud to be buried in a beautiful land that appreciates their sacrifice as much as we do an ocean away. 🇺🇸❤️🇧🇪
The "beauty" of this movie is that it is so much more than just violence for the sake of violence. Yes it depicts the horrors of war in a way most don't but beyond that, almost every scene has a new moral question posed. An absolute masterpiece by Spielberg.
...and, of course, your reaction did it justice Mari.
Generation Kill is an often overlooked HBO mini-series about a Recon Marine platoon during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Very different feel from the other HBO war series but very realistic. Strong Work, Mary! Thanks for this reaction.
Such a fantastic movie. My grandfather was shot by a 50 cal and lost the bottom of his leg. He was carried back by two Germans who were surrendering. He was the happiest, softest, gentleman of a man. It is hard for me to understand how he could be after watching movies and real videos of the war. Perhaps because he knew he was lucky because he was one of the few who made it home. I hope future generations never forget but also hope we never have to repeat the kind of things that happened all those years ago. Love to see your reactions. It shows a lot about you...I know we can't know much and that is ok but what I see is heartwarming.
"....but also hope we never have to repeat the kind of things that happened all those years ago." Wait - What? Where have you been my friend - with the exeption of a reletively short period - we've been constantly at war ever since.
@@jackmack7533 Not to mention all the "civil war" rhetoric coming from parts of the vox populi. They want this to happen here.
@@jackmack7533 That is true I guess I am just overly optimistic.
@@jackmack7533 Not nearly on the scale of ww2, pretty sure more Americans were killed on d-day alone than the entire time spent in Afghanistan.
When my son was 10 yrs old he used to play "Call of Duty" and thought "war" was so cool. Then I made him watch this movie and he had so much more respect for the armed forces.
Watching many reactors has made me understand something... there are two types of people. Those who have empathy & those who don't. Your reactions are enjoyable for me to watch because you are able to "put yourself in the shoes of the characters" & feel what the filmmaker intended you to. Hope your vacation is going well. A big "thumbs up" from this old guy.
If you decide to tackle 'Band of Brothers' eventually, it's almost like 10 'Saving Private Ryan's, and could be more personal than this film, since 2 of the 10 episodes are based in and around the area of Bastogne in the Ardennes.
2 more episodes are close by geopraphically: the region of Eindhoven (episode 4) and the region of the Nijmegen salient (episode 5) are also close to Flanders. I'm don't know where exactly where Mary lives, but there's a good chance both regions are even closer by than Bastogne.
Well, the wait for BoB might not be that long... ;)
It's been mentioned before but "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific" miniseries are excellent. I believe both directed by Tom Hanks and produced by Steven Spielberg.
The mom collapsing on the front porch is extremely powerful, and she must have thought only one of her boys died.
I met a man that had two older brothers and a father that served in the Marines during WWII. The sons were in combat units and the father was signal corps typically well behind "the lines". They lived on a farm and would see those notification cars go past once in awhile. When they did see one, the mom would always say "Please Lord. Not one of my boys." One day the car turned down the road to their house. Even though the man didn't hear his mom say her usual prayer, he knew that she had said it. Unfortunately, her prayer was answered. The father had been killed when the jeep that he was in hit a mine.
Many reactors get confused between the German prisoner who was released and the German soldier who killed Mellish with the knife. The German soldier that they let go earlier was a regular German army soldier, but the guy that killed Mellish was a member of the SS, and wore an SS uniform. But then the guy who appeared and shot Capt. Miller and then recognized Upham, saying his name before Upham shot him - he WAS the soldier that they released earlier.
This is exactly what I hold against the film and Spielberg: He could have really delivered a good anti-war film here, showing the brutality of war - and that people fight on both sides, good and bad with all shades of gray in between.
Instead, after the landing, it became a standard U.S. war movie with heroic U.S. soldiers and the evil Germans. This film could have done a lot to show that normal people are also fighting on the side of the Germans, who do not only stand for the primordial evil. Instead, of course, it has to be the German soldier, let off on his word of honor, who shoots Miller, just to further incite anger at the Germans.
Chance wasted.
There are good anti-war films out there when you want one: maybe that's not what Spielberg wanted this film to be. There are other wars that are better suited to the anti-war theme, like Vietnam for example when it could be argued that the Vietnamese were never going to be a threat to America. But out of all the biggest wars, it's more difficult to make a case for WW-II being unnecessary. Diplomacy was tried with the Nazis in 1938 and they weren't interested. The only way to stop Hitler and Mussolini's fascism was by force, back in the days when fascism was not tolerated but was snuffed out wherever it raised its head.
I'm still surprised when I hear this, because every time I think it's the same guy (they look a lot alike to me, though I suppose everyone does with that haircut). If the guy who killed Mellish was just another German soldier, why did he let Upham live?
I just saw it as one of those unexpected things: he was in a fight to the death with Mellish, but Upham had his hands up and wasn't a threat, so he walked past him. A similar thing happened to Adolf Hitler when he was a private in WW-I. He was injured and a British soldier found him and raised his rifle at him, but took mercy on him and didn't shoot him.
@@Chewie1802 I never saw it that way. The German soldier they released did exactly what Reiben said he would do -- rejoin any German troops who picked him up. He didn't shoot Miller because he was particularly villanous. He did it because he was a German soldier. The fact of that being the consequence of letting him go I always saw as again morally complicating things. Just like I saw Upham shooting him later as Upham losing his last bit of humanity, coming to view his feelings of right and wrong with the same contempt the other men had shown earlier. None of it is black and white and none of it is glorious.
I've seen reactors who view it as a "Yeah! Got him!" moment but I don't think Spielberg presented any of it that way.
Those two German soldiers were not the same people, though it is easy to confuse them (I know I did when I saw it). One is in the SS (the one with the knife) the other is in the Wehrmacht (the one let go and who shot Miller).
In my opinion this is the best movie ever made, simply because it helps the generations who didn't go through WW2 have even the smallest better understanding of what that generation did for all of us. I was always proud of my own grandfather (who was a frontline US soldier in Italy and France), but after seeing this movie, it went to another level.
Excellent catch on the "Thunder"/"flash" sign and counter-sign. The airborne troops used that to identify unknown troops in the dark.
I would think this is a common practice, not just for the paratroopers? Well maybe the pass words were historically "thunder"/"flash" for paratroopers, but one would think they were the same for all allied units to avoid friendly fire.
@@kala1780 likely the challenge/password was set at the Regiment or Battalion level for units in the same sector. Capt Miller likely would not know this unless specifically briefed being part of the Rangers while the 1st town they entered was being held by the Pathfinders.
"Thunder/flash" was used in both Europe and the Pacific by American troops during the war. Many stories of how it was effective against Japanese soldiers who had learned the countersign because the "L" sound in 'flash' does not exist in the Japanese language and would often give them away.
I heard that they got the sign/countersign reversed in SPR and corrected it in Band of Brothers. So the correct challenge for Operation Overlord (the D-Day invasion) was Flash, the reply would be Thunder. In real life I've heard after the initial invasion the challenge/reply would change frequently. My Grandfather was a signalman on a Destroyer Escort in the Pacific Theater.
@@zh2184 that is a classic example of a shibboleth. That's one reason why South Vietnamese soldiers would quickly identify Viet Cong attempting to blend in during the Vietnam War as dialects, accents, etc. for particular words worked as shibboleths.
Steven Spielberg is the storyteller of a generation and this story honors the pain, sacrifice, suffering, and humanity of our grandparents and great grandparents generation. My mother lost her father in Italy during this war and, fortunately, my father’s father returned home from fighting in the Pacific. Movies like this honor such stories, but just as importantly, they move us emotionally and intellectually to the deep hope that no one ever have to endure the dehumanizing tragedy of war. In this imperfect world, more people need to get this message. It really is encouraging to see how apparent and heartfelt your understanding of the brutal insanity of war and its human toll based on watching this film. Your a really terrific human being!
Mary, You're reaction was the first to bring me to tears. Took me back to seeing this film in theaters. You have the right reaction to this film. It shows war in a brutal honest way, and thats how it should be shown.
Love this movie, and also your reaction to it. Another epic and emotional journey (although different), is Dances With Wolves (1990), with Kevin Costner starring and directing.
Beautiful Reaction. I love how you always analyze and think about every possible experience that someone would be going through.
Very human. A special sensitive woman.
My father spent time in several Belgium cities during the war. The Battle of the Bulge is one of the major battles. He had good memories of the Belgium people. They were good to the American soldiers. Thank you for that.
Several people have mentioned it and I will agree…watch the “Band of Bothers” series…very powerful and extremely well done…especially the Ardennes portions.
A fun detail - when this movie was filmed, Matt Damon was a pretty obscure actor, only having about 1 other major movie under his belt for Rainmaker. Spielberg didn't want Ryan to be a major star and steal the spotlight. However, Good Will Hunting released just before this, and skyrocket Damon's career overnight after the filming for this was done. So it backfired and Ryan's character DOES become a big focus.
Another nod to Spielberg's dedication to "keeping it real" is finding and using an actual amputee as the soldier who's arm was blown off in the D Day scene.
There was also a scene where soldiers were surrendering at the start who were shot... more historical accuracy there. They were Czech, since Germany had conquered it and conscripted soldiers from their population. They are literally saying in Czech, "Please don’t shoot me! I am not German, I am Czech, I didn’t kill anyone! I am Czech", but the American soldiers didn't know the difference and shot them thinking they were Germans. This just proves how much insane detail Spielberg went into while filming this movie!
There’s another level to that Czech but they’re also lying about being conscripted. They’re wearing the uniforms of the SS. The SS was the elite super evil level. All SS were volunteers some were from other countries besides Germany such as the two that were shot in this so it’s a level on the level.
Amazing movie...right up there with *The Green Mile* that just tears at your heart. Wonderful reactions.
Mary band of brothers is another excellent show you can watch but also great for the next generation. My grandfather was in WW2 and my dad also served in the Vietnam war. Every year for Anzac day in Australia i do the dawn service with my dad and march with him wearing my grandfathers medals in honor of him and the fallen. Also Mary don't apologize for crying to much, movies likes this if possible can teach the next generation what it could have been. We should never forget what happened or could happen and remember those young men and woman who lost there lives. And Mary there is an Australian film based on the Anzac's and how the Australian soldiers became known as the Anzacs. its called Gallipoli staring Mel Gibson, Mark Lee from 1981 and it was filmed in and around my home town of Adelaide.
I started getting emotional before I even started the video, because I know so well what this film is, and how you would be likely to react seeing it for the first time. I saw it in the theater, and so many people were crying, some had to walk out. Your reactions are the best, Mary.
Oh, and you were absolutely right, the “wrong” Private Ryan was Nathan Fillion from Firefly.
My uncle was in the 101st; he earned his Purple Heart (wound medal) in Bastogne. He lived for decades after and typically turned his Purple Heart story into a funny story for the nieces and nephews and grandkids.
"Did this one break you?" - I've watched this movie so many times that I can't count, and it breaks me every time. I am a former US Marine with PTSD, so everything is relatable. Not to mention, one of the main advisors for this movie was a former Marine Captain, Dale Dye. Amazing movie. I'm glad you watched it, and more importantly, glad that you understand the need to pass these stories along to future generations. Bless you Mary.
Have grandkids that live in Belgium - we travel from the Us to see them frequently over the years and was so impressed how Belgians rememver vetrans with the American flags flying in several public parks.. When my dad was released from German prison camp he spent a week in Belgium to recover. Your reaction was how many Europeans have such reverance for those who fought for freedom and halted the Third Reich.
As others have done, I must recommend the 1981 movie in German entitled "Das Boot." It shows what submarine crews from Germany had to suffer as they endured their war. The emotional impact is like what you feel watching "Saving Private Ryan." And, if you have time for it, the mini-series 'Band of Brothers' is very worth watching. Even though your wedding will not be for a while yet, congratulations on your engagement and your early honeymoon. I wish only the best for you and your loved ones.
"Dances With Wolves" is another long movie that goes by so fast and is so impactful. It's one of my favorites.
Excellent job, Mary. I've seen so many American reactors who don't recognize D-Day's date and have no idea where all this happened. It really bothers me. My father was in the US Army in France and Belgium right after D-Day. He spoke some French and did some translating, but mostly fighting in the infantry on a heavy machine gun. Hope you're enjoying your trip!
You are absolutely right. I guess the events of D-Day are contained in one or two paragraghs in today's American history books. It's only going to get worse as time passes.
Annoyed me to no end to see people asking if June6'44 was "an important battle", having no idea it was D-day. It makes me wonder what we are teaching our children today, I grew up in the 60s/70s and we learned a good amount 5th grade history.
Then again, in 2005 a younger (decade+) coworker was going to see the (then) new King Kong remake and I said I was curious how it would compare to the older ones... She had no idea (at like 30) it was a remake. I was like, uhh 1930s, Faye Wray? There was a remake in the 70s too, but *everyone* in my generation knew the original.
My father was a WW 2 vet. He survived getting shot in the neck in France. His generation were celebrated. The Vietnam vets on the other hand were ignored. Left on their own a lot of these brave soldiers became homeless. The collateral damage from war is often cruel and long lasting. People who revel in their macho attitudes don’t have a clue about war. I never once heard my father or any of his regiment buddies ( many who were like Uncles to me ) bragging about the war. On the contrary. These bravest of men who are my real life heroes struggled with the burden of taking another man’s life. It scarred them for life. If you ever witnessed a grown man cry uncontrollably trying to deal with what went on over there, I think you might understand. My dad took that trip to France and later received I think they called it a medal of freedom from the French government. My day passed away a couple of years ago. RIP dad.😮
What a reaction. Watching you cry for 26 min. Brought me to tears. You seam very empathic, and look like you need a hug after something so emotional.
6:06 - You deserve huge respect for coming to that realisation so early in the movie. To this day - particularly in the US and UK (where I'm from) - there are unscrupulous people taking advantage of the very real and human need to believe that it was all "worth it", and the mythology that has grown up in the wake of the wars is actually quite dangerous.
Fundamentally, World War 1 was the tragic culmination of the various Imperial European powers squabbling over territory and resources, and World War 2 was to some extent down to the failure of the British and American delegations to appreciate the consequences of turning a blind eye to the French delegation using the post-WW1 Treaty Of Versailles to settle old scores with Germany.
The British Government knew damned well that fighting WW2 was likely to mean the end of the British Empire purely for financial reasons, while the US government (and President Roosevelt in particular) knew that it was going to be an uphill struggle to convince their citizens that it was worth sacrificing their young men in a European theatre of war all over again (the conflict in the Pacific being a different issue). The myths were arguably necessary at the time and in the immediate aftermath - but it concerns me that those myths are not now being taught as the "necessary evil" they were.
Roosevelt put as a condition of the first aid that we did the destroyers for bases agreement that decolonization must happen after the war. The people must be free to choose their own government
So glad you watched this. I know it was tough but as you said this is something we must not forget. The actual fighting on the beach was that kind of intensity for hours. The first wave lost 90% of their guys. I appreciate how you are able to see so many aspects of the human emotion. Think this was the hardest I’ve seen you cry. Tugs at my heart!
One thing I love about Spielberg is his ability to take a sea of something and give one of them a story, thus giving them all a story. In this movie it's a sea of headstones and we're shown a small portion of the Captain's life, giving a story to John H. Miller's headstone. Similarly in _Schindler's List_ we see a pile of bodies being carted away and they have no real relevance to us until we see the little girl's red coat in the pile of bodies and we have a story about one of them too.
Note the dates in the movie, June 6th is day of landing, June 15 is day of Capt Miller's gravestone, 9 days.........
Your reactions are so honest young lady. You give me hope for the future when young people like you see this and understand that we must do everything we can to never let something like this happen again. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and emotions.
Great reaction! 👍 Saving Private Ryan is a staggering achievement, and the greatest war film ever. This film is capable of emotionally wrecking anybody. Well, that's what makes us human.
People like you keep these sacrifices from fading.
Thank You.
I cry every single time I watch it. My great uncle landed on Normandy.
My father fought in WW2 and korea. My Uncle served in Vietnam. I served in the 1st Gulf war.
This needs to be remembered. Thank you for your passion.
Coming out of cinema seeing that was shell-shocked from those first 20 minutes. Incredible.
War Horse is another great Steven Spielberg war film, however this time it is about World War 1. Other classic films by different directors about the First World War are 1917, Gallipoli and Laurence of Arabia.
This one brought me to tears when I watched it with my mum.
This movie has broke me every time I’ve watched it.Watching your reaction and seeing you experience the same rollercoaster of emotions I went through broke me again. It’s an incredible movie, with a powerful message and I’m glad you’ve watched it.
Mary you are tremendously insightful. It is so refreshing to watch someone react to this very poignant movie in an intelligent, thoughtful way, exploring and considering the thoughts and feelings we would all have and the demons we would fight inside ourselves in these situations. You get my subscription. You have a wonderful future ahead of you.
Great reaction, Mary. Band of Brothers and The Pacific are 2 short series, 10 episodes a piece, that compliment and add to the SPR experience.
I usually never comment but your reaction and willingness to understand and empathize with our greatest generation is irresistible. I would highly recommend the recent movie "1917", if you haven't already seen it. I would love to see your reaction to it because it is equally well written and directed. I hope you continue to find new things to react too because you are among the top 5 or 10 channels that I really look forward to watching. I can't believe how mature you are at your age.
Agree with suggesting 1917, it reminded me a lot of Saving Private Ryan when I watched it, it's just so beautifully done.
Too often in movies war is glorified and romanticized. The "beauty" of this movie is it treats war as it should be treated, as a grotesque, horrific affair that should be uncomfortable to watch. I don't know how much it would help, but maybe it'd be a start.
I can't think of a serious war film (not just an action movie) that glorified or ramanticized war...they may support the cause or the ideals of a certain side and depict them as the good guys but I've never seen a movie actually depict war as anything other than emotional, psychological and physical hell.
Maybe there's some old black and white films that glorified and romanticised war but everything I've seen made from the invention of technicolour has treated the subject as tragic and serious.
@@Shamelesscritique1 That's not how it works. Just because an artwork depicts the horrors of war doesn't necessarily mean they don't also glorify war. Most heroic epics have the hero go through hell (sometimes literally) but they use storytelling techniques to make their sacrifice seem admirable and the ones who served and died seem noble.
There were more movies willing to be critical of war and the military coming out of the Vietnam era. You can see that stark difference when you compare them.
This movie I think wavers between Speilberg's competing instincts to be a filmmaker who challenges his audience and his more jingoist rah-rah-USA sensibilities (that slow-mo final shot of the American flag waving majestically in the wind made me roll my eyes hard when I saw this in theatres).
@@zammmerjammer ...like I said sometimes films do take sides and support a cause...world war 2 is typically considered a "just" and "necessary" war from the allies perspective at least, as it wasn't fought for greed, resources, territory or even politics really...just survival and "freedom" but it isn't depicted as glorious or romantic.
It's always the exact opposite...the general depiction and message is that war regardless of the politics, reasons or justification is hellish.
As for the patriotic shot of the flag that made you roll your eyes...it's there because the film maker and the general audience tend to believe we were the good guys (at least we were back then) and the flag symbolises that feeling...it's there to reassure the audience that in the end they won and all the horror, sacrifice and suffering depicted in the film wasn't entirely in vain.
Like I said I can't think of single war film made in colour going back to the late fifties and early sixties that glorified or romanticised war...it's always depicted as a tragic, terrifying and generally unpleasant situation or scenario that any sane and moral person would want to avoid...a situation and scenario where human behaviour runs a wide spectrum from disgusting and deplorable to noble and heroic (such is the human experience) but it's never treated as a "good" or "great" thing.
@@Shamelesscritique1 "the film maker and the general audience tend to believe we were the good guys" -- yeah, and they believe that because of jingoistic fairytales they've been told and retold. That's exactly my point.
@@Shamelesscritique1 Typically the brutal nature of war of is overshadowed by heroic desperation, or a greater cause being fulfilled. I.E. This person dying is worth it because they died fighting the good fight. I don't think that it is wrong, per se, but it is because of this that perpetrates this perception that it is seen as acceptable or even noble to kill people who don't want to fight. The Nazi's are obviously bad, but what these movies never show you is the people who stood strong against a dictator, who opposed their "leaders" and stood for what was right.
How many movies showcase Americans kicking Nazi ass? How many movies showcase a German man plotting to overthrow a nation-wide dictator? 10:1 I'd say, and the only ones you will find showing the attempted assassinations of Hitler by German's is in documentaries. I'll never sympathize with any European power that went alongside the Nazi's rule, but I can understand that not everyone is 100% willing to risk their life and their family's in order to attempt to change the world.
It's easy to say that if I were German, 18 years old, and alive during 1945 that I would assassinate Hitler, and to actually move against and entire nation an economy that has been indoctrinated to believe you're the master race. If I'm 5 years old in 1933, and 18 in 1945 it's nearly impossible to expect me to rise above my indoctrinated education, my parents feeding me all these lies and excuses about other peoples, to renege my schooling while at war with outsiders while being told I'm perfect and the invaders are disgusting sub-humans trying to topple our great nation.
It's incredible how disgusting the nature of subversion is. Hating others is so easy, but learning to understand is not so simple. I really, really hate anyone who tries to justify Axis war crimes. Japanese or German, both were beyond abhorrent.
I'm Canadian, and I know that during WW1 Canadians were one of the top contributors to war crimes. We literally took no prisoners and operated on a "kill the wounded" policy. We killed anyone and everyone not allied to us and we did it by storming trenches with 16 inch bayonets. We literally marched behind advancing artillery strikes, we blasted entire cities to rubble in order to make our way through them. You know what they called us in WW1? Stormtroopers. We were one of the most efficient fighting forces of WW1 and it was because of the brutality we were willing to deal.
History written by the victores is BS.
So glad you're getting the traction on the channel Mary...You've always been a great reactor to watch! 😊
Saving Private Ryan changed the way that war movies were made. Prior to this most of them didn't show the violence in such a realistic and sustained way. And even since then there's really only a handful of war movies that can match what Saving Private Ryan did. Those are Black Hawk Down (2001), We Were Soldiers (2002), and Lone Survivor (2013) all three of which I very highly recommend
I like your reactions because I reacted almost the same way to Schindler's list, Jojo Rabbit, and this movie.
This is one heck of a sad & tear-jerking movie, it's painful to watch but brilliant as well
As a Veteran Thank you Mary ❤..everyone needs see this
I'm glad to see you not hate on Upham for not moving to help and you even mentioned earlier that we never know what we would do in war. I've seen a couple people reacting and call Upham a coward.
A war film that really broke me, shortly before this one, was "Savior", with Dennis Quaid. A much more recent war, and devastating to watch.
Another great movie similar to one like this, I’d say "Fury". An amazing cast. It’ has a dark tone than Saving Private Ryan.
I luv how introspective you are.I wish more folks were like that.U understand the circumstances people are put in instead of quick judgment
One of the best movies of all time.
The scene of the mother at the farmhouse receiving news that three of her sons were gone is among the most understated of the many great ones in this film.
"earn this" two words that don't seem to matter much these days to the people and world. Great movie and thank you for showing your vulnerability
Mary, I highly recommend you put 1981’s “Das Boot” to your list.
It’s nearly the mirror opposite of this one, sea warfare instead of land warfare and on a German U-boat instead of Americans. You’re going to get a lot of recommendations for movies that are frankly too similar to this one, but that one is worth following up this one with.
It's one of the best war movies and the best submarine movie ever in my opinion. Watch the director's cut with subtitles. It was a german TV series that also came out as a movie but i think the director's cut gives the best balance for something like this. They did an english version too but it really doesn't transport that well. Even though the subtitles aren't very good sometimes, that version is much better than the dubbed one.
Love this movie, movies like this, Hotel Rawanda, Beyond Borders, or even Tears of the Sun help give me perspective when I get too tied up in my first world problems.
My grandfather was on that beach. He was 29th Infantry Division 116th Infantry Regiment , 3rd Battalion, Company K. He made it off the beach, was wounded in the Battle for Brest in France, but remained in the war. He came back home to my family in 1946.
To answer your question, yes, it wrecked me every bit that hard the first time I saw it. This is one of my favorite all time movies for that reason. The only other movie that has ever impacted me that much was How to Die in Oregon, which is a documentary and absolutely amazing, but so so so so hard to watch at times.
Some people in the comments recommended Das Boot for a wwII movie and I would have to agree! Great film. As for Saving Private Ryan I heard reports that during the opening scene veterans had to leave the theatre because it was so realistic. I don't know if those reports are true but it wouldn't surprise me.
I saw it in the theatre... it was breathtaking... every bullet sounded like it just whistled by next to your head... it felt like you were a GI and missing your helmet. I think at times, I found myself holding my breath... might be the best anti-war movie every made.
My Great grandfather was actually a German machine gunner during DDay incredibly he survived after being captured by the US he told my parents and my grandparents after the war that he never seen such brave men like that in his life. He was treated with respect while he was a prisoner or war. He actually learned English while he was a prisoner.
That is so cool. The majority of the german soldiers would have rather been home. Thank god he wasn’t captured by Russians, or you wouldn’t be here for me to respond to
@@heywoodjablome619 I’m glad you understand I tell people about this and call me a nazi and my family when in reality he would of been at home with his family. He didn’t want a war. Exactly Russians were ruthless.
@@molon___labe I'd have a German next to me in a trench any day. Majority of Germans were not Nazi's. It's not taught here about how many Germans were killed by those bastads, standing up against them. Then how Germany was split in half, and the beautiful city of Berlin ripped in half. I'm a proud American. but have total respect for you guys. My great uncle died on D Day + 5 Fighting Germans. And still nothing but respect for the soldiers.
Appreciated your honest reaction. Two points: the average age of the American soldiers at Omaha Beach on D-day was 20 1/2. Twenty and one half years old. Second, the letters written to the families were NOT "fill-in-the-blanks" form letters. One of the responsibilities of commanders was to write personal comments to families of men who were killed in action. (Unlike the telegrams, these were often received weeks later.)
wow, an extremely moving reaction. I'm often baffled by the lack of knowledge my gen has of history, it scares me for the future. then I see something like this and I'm immediately comforted. It might be Her location to these events, but regardless, she gets it.
They all know the US is racist though. That's a history class staple. I talked to 2 18 year olds recently that did not know why we have a North and South Korea. It's astonishing
The lack of knowledge is purely engineered by the people that perpetuate war. It scares me that the only "knowledge" people have of history comes from Hollywood movies.
@@jessecortez9449 A broken education system doesn't help
@@yaimavol the education system is not broken, it is deliberate not teaching of history propagated by the republican party that has allowed fascism to rise again.
@@MidnightKittehBoi We have a 40 year low in math test scores. Yes, it is broken
I originally thought that soldier with the knife who didn't kill Upham was the same guy they let go, but he wasn't, he was a completely different soldier. The one they let go was at the end though.
This...is the way.
No. Sorry, but the person that was at the bunker, the one that killed Mellish, the one that shot Miller, and the one that was shot by Upham were all one in the same. His stage name is Joerg Stadler.
@@ytorwoody Absolutely not, this was confirmed by the director when people initially mistaken him as the same man. Joerg Stadler was only involved at the bridge at the end, the soldier that took out Mellish was a Waffen SS Solider played by Mac Steinmeier. You can Google this information for confirmation, look up "Saving Private Ryan Waffen SS Soldier and Steamboat Willie (Joerge Stadler)" or the actors names.
@@gpaje I got hammered good for this so put a normal comment in up above. Thanks for making me search a bit more.
@@ytorwoody Not at all, I thought the same thing, honest mistake we all made. I wrote the same thing as you and someone corrected me too :)
Hacksaw Ridge is another great WWII film that touches on emotions and morals in war. It also has an amazing performance by Andrew Garfield.
I love your commentary about the challenges faced by soldiers in combat. It's really refreshing to hear it outloud from someone who isn't military but understands why this film is important; why we need to see the brutality and humanity.
On a side note, I remember when I came back from deployment in 2009. My spouse had a coming home party for me. The next day she was cleaning up and popping the balloons in the basement. I walked down and she saw the look on my face right away and was so apologetic.
And it wasn't even from being shot at all the time, it was purely from hyper vigilance; my body had not adapted back to home life yet. In the end I was fine, I still love fireworks :)
Mary your reaction was very much like mine and most people. You can't help but be moved by this movie.
Thank for such a fantastic reaction to this film! I would really recommend checking out "Band of Brothers", that's a 10 episode HBO miniseries that came out in 2001 and was produced by Spielberg and Tom Hanks. It chronicles the true story of the men of Easy Company, who were paratroopers that fought in WWII. It's just one of the best miniseries ever.
Having been on the receiving end of gunfire (accidents & crime, not military service), I can say they got the sounds of the incoming bullets on the beach *right*. Saw this the first time at a friend's house with a really good sound system & nearly ended up under the coffee table.
Sincerely, you're like in the top 3 movie reaction channels on CZcams. From your sincerity and intelligence, you're miles ahead of the majority of other channels that wish to do reactions well. Keep it up! 🤘👊