Saving Private Ryan

Ryan Watkins

Ms. Golub

5/31/14

AP Euro

Saving Private Ryan

      Saving Private Ryan is directed and produced by Steven Spielberg, it was released in 1998 and stars Tom Hanks, Matt Damon and Vin Diesel. I watched in on Friday in my house. It was the original version.

      It is set during the Invasion of Normandy in WWII. Captain Miller lands in Omaha beach and assembles a small group of soldiers to break the German defenses. Back in Washington, they realize that the Ryan family has lost three of their four sons in one day. After hearing this they decide that Private James Ryan be sent home immediately. Miller is given the task to save private Ryan. Miller is forced to travel to Ramelle where Private Ryan is defending a bridge. When Private Ryan refuses to leave the bridge. Miller decides to take command and help defend the bridge. While attempting to blow to bridge so that it doesn't fall into German control, Miller is Shot by a German soldier whom Miller had set free. Just before Miller passes American air support destroys the remaining German defenses. Millers last words to Private Ryan are, "James... earn this. Earn it."

      Although the characters may not have been based on real people they did depict the lives of many soldiers landing in Normandy. All events were completely non fictional. The opening scene in Omaha Beach is said to be the most realistic battle scene of all time. They used  40 barrels of fake blood in order to make the shore water turn red as it did in the real landing at Omaha. The only things that happened that weren't historically accurate was the war tactics used in the film. They were modified to be more dramatic.

      It spanned one lifetime and was set in Normandy during world war two. All props were very accurate and the set locations were very convincing. The clothing was very accurate and the Tanks were extremely accurate to the time period as well.

      This movie was amazing, I never lost interest and watched start to stop with no breaks. Although this movie did strongly persuade me to never ever join the military. After seeing to horrors of the warfare portrayed so realistically, I am sure that I do not ever want to join the army. I do recommend it everyone. But if you are not good with dealing with death and blood, do not under any circumstance watch this movie.