Us military has a “last son” policy of multiple siblings sign up and parish the remaining one goes home to keep the family going

"When I was growing up I didn't watch these classic films" Film: Saving Private Ryan Saving Private Ryan is a Classic Film. Oh crap. I seem to have become old.

Since you asked, the Lincoln letter to Bixby is an actual thing and the movie is based on actual events. "While much of the movie is a fictional account, the premise behind Capt. Miller’s mission is based on a true story. That is the story of the Niland brothers - Edward, Preston, Robert, and Frederick - from Tonawanda, New York."

"I will never be the type to jump around screaming and hollering while watching a movie." This is precisely why I'm loving your channel. Cheers

The Greatest War Film ever made. The attention to detail in this movie is insane. Few historical movies get so much right! From the uniforms, to the sounds of gunfire, to the explosions, it has it all. One scene that I just love and it blew me away when I first saw/heard it is when they're moving into the village where they meet the "fake" Private Ryan, is the the rain drops falling down sounding like gun fire and then transitioning into actual gun fire as the stomping boots run by. Beautifully done. Another thing I caught during my 7th rewatch of the movie that most people don't see because of so much other stuff going on is when Wade, the medic, is trying to save the battalion surgeon on the beach. One of his colleagues takes a bullet to his hip, right where his water bottle is hanging. Look closely at the hole in the bottle, the water that comes out at first is clear and then as his wound seeps into the bottle the water turns red. Insane attention to detail. Just insane. For the algo: 10/10 reaction! Great review! Awesome comments and insights!

When the film was released, veterans who were on the beach who saw it said it was the most realistic version they’d seen. Many veterans said it was hard to watch.

You’re the first person I’ve seen say ‘I’d probably be Upham’ after he failed to save his man. That says something.

It's interesting to see how many KZfaq 'reactors' who were too young to see _Saving Private Ryan_ when it first came out assume that "the old man in the graveyard" is supposed to be the character whom Tom Hanks played. When the movie came out, the publicity about it was pretty much four things: World War II, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Matt Damon. For those of us who knew those basics, the opening scene, with old Private Ryan in the cemetery, had us all thinking that he looked amazingly like an old Matt Damon. Some of us weren't sure whether to be more amazed by age makeup that looked so realistic, if that was what it was, or that they found an older actor who looked so much like Matt Damon, if that was what it was. I don't think many people in 1998 were misled to thinking that the old man was supposed to be the Captain-despite the transition between the shot of him in the cemetery and the shot of the Captain on the landing-craft.

In 2004, Andy Rooney, an American journalist, who had been a 26-year-old soldier at Normandy in June 1944, spoke on television, on the sixtieth anniversary of the invasion. This is my transcript of what he said; perhaps you will find these words worthy of your time: "Because it was part of my life, I'd like to say something about D-Day. I don't know how to say it any differently than I did in a book I wrote, called _My War._ "If you are young and not really clear what D-Day was, let me tell you. "It was a day unlike any other. There have only been a handful of days since the beginning of time on which the direction the world was taking has been changed for the better in one twenty-four-hour period by an act of man. June sixth, nineteen forty-four, was one of them. "What the Americans, the British, and the Canadians were trying to do was get back a whole continent that had been taken from its rightful owners by Adolf Hitler's German army. _It was one of the most monumentally unselfish things one group of people ever did for another._ "We all have days of our lives that stand out from the blur of days that have gone by; and the day I came ashore on Utah Beach, four days after the initial invasion, is one of mine. "As we approached the French coast, there were small clouds of smoke, and sudden eruptions, as German artillery blindly lobbed shells over the hills behind the beach. They were hoping to hit U.S. troops or some of the massive amount of equipment piled up on the shore there. "Row on row of dead American soldiers were laid out on the beach, just above the high-tide mark, where it turned into weedy clumps of grass. They were covered with olive-drab blankets, just their feet sticking out at the bottom, their G.I. boots sticking out. I remember their boots: all the same, on boys all so different. "No-one can tell the whole story of D-Day, because no-one knows it. "Each of the sixty thousand men who waded ashore that day knew a little part of the story too well. To them, the landing looked like a catastrophe. Each knew a friend shot through the throat, shot through a knee. Each knew names of five hanging dead on the barbed wire in the water, twenty yards off shore-three who lay unattended on the stony beach as the blood drained from holes in their bodies. They saw whole tank-crews drown when the tanks rumbled off the ramps of their landing-craft and dropped into twenty feet of water. "There were heroes here no-one will ever know, because they're dead. The heroism of others is known only to themselves. "Across the Channel, in Allied headquarters, in England, the war-directors, remote from the details of death, were exultant: they saw no blood, no dead, no dying. From the statisticians' point of view, the invasion was a success: statisticians were right: they always are-that's the damned thing about it. "On each visit to the beaches over the years, I've wept. It's impossible to keep back the tears as you look across the rows of markers and think of the boys under them, who died that day. Even if you didn't know anyone who died, your heart knows something that your brain does not: you weep. "If you think the world is selfish and rotten, go to the cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, overlooking Omaha Beach: see what one group of men did for another on D-Day, June sixth, nineteen forty-four."

D-Day Landing scene was filmed in Ireland!!!

Tough movie to watch. So many of our relatives were affected. Spielberg is one of our greatest directors if not the greatest.

I've watched tons of reactions for this film and many others. It is phenomenal how much you were able to notice and appreciate on your first viewing of the film. Please keep this up. You're better than anyone else I've watched.

The D-Day assault by the Allies was and is the largest seaborne invasion in the history of the world. About midnight the night before, more than 2,200 Allied bombing aircraft attacked parts of France near the landing-sites, and 24,000 Allied soldiers were dropped inland by parachute. In the morning of June 6, 1944, the Allies sent 351,700 men (mostly Americans, Britons, and Canadians) from England, across the English Channel, to five beaches at Normandy (including Omaha Beach, which is represented here), of whom at least 4,414 were killed. More than 5,000 watercraft were involved, including hundreds of mine-sweepers, hundreds of escorts, and almost 5,000 landing- and assault-craft.

You see that many white crosses and you cant help get teary eyed, even if you've seen this movie. You know the movies over and you have so many emotions from all of the characters dying and you feel for these guys. Then they drop the scene of all the crosses and you just can't imagine. Then I broke down.

you're reactions are perfect man, just get immersed, and occasional share a thought, there are reviewers out there who talk non stop through the most intense things, breaking the immersion for themselves to a level its plain criminal . you also understood very well the humanity of it all, while many appreciate the spectacle over it. great content!

in the movie the assault on omaha beach lasted 15 minutes, in real life it went on for 6 hours

Aww man sorry about the video getting taken down. You would think if it’s such a problem KZfaq would outlaw all these reaction channels but I guess the more popular the channel KZfaq thinks it’s ok. Still nice to see this re-uploaded.

Since you're film studenting, I suggest both Band of Brothers and The Pacific. Both are WW2. Both are HBO productions with much the same producers. One is heavily character-driven and shot in open terrain with lots of options on scene and vista. One is more event driven with terrain limiting scene and vista options.

I'll reiterate something i'd said before in the comments here: When someone blathers away throughout a well-scripted film and obliterates all dialog, i want call the usher and have them thrown out of the theater. We need to be able to follow the script if we're to understand your reactions. Thanks for being economical with the commentary till afterwards. Once again, 'excellent job from you. Great editing as well -

They got the Idea for Saving Private Ryan from the book Band of Brothers , it was based on the Niland brothers,Frederick William "Fritz" Niland knew 2 of the troopers from E/506 (Muck / Malarkey) and had met up while on leave with his brother Bob and they asked him about Combat as he had fought in the MTO - Technical Sergeant Robert Joseph "Bob" Niland D Company, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division was killed in action on June 6, 1944 in Normandy. He volunteered to stay behind with Corporal James Kelly and hold off a German advance while his company retreated from Neuville-au-Plain. He was killed while manning his machine gun; Second Lieutenant Preston Thomas Niland was killed on June 7th with the 4th Infantry, Edward Francis Niland was shot down in Burma and assumed killed but was a POW , Frederick William "Fritz" Niland was with the 101st 501st PIR , but was taken out of combat and served as a MP state side

"Rumble Fish" is a fantastic movie so you saw really good movies!

Nothing exemplifies the true cost of war than Mrs. Ryan on that porch. The most horrific scene in a film full of them.

I am always amazed this is only 75 years ago...unbelievable,,.great reaction too by the way

Love watching your reactions. I saw this film when first released and remember the complete silence in the cinema afterwards as everyone just sat there, stunned at what we had just experienced. Saving Private Ryan is a true masterpiece.

The "Draft" was done away with in 1975, after Vietnam. I joined the U.S. Army December 7th, 1977. Another great War movie is "We Were Soldier's". It's a true story, about how Helicopter's were traded for the horse going into battle. They were assigned to be the 7th Cavalry. Same as Custer. 400 American's against over 2,000 Viet Cong I think. Thank you again for the real feeling's conveyed.

I really appreciate hearing your observations and reactions to the films you showcase. I often watch movies by myself at home on DVD (especially these days!) so I don't get to hear people's gut reaction to various scenes in the moment. Your perspective as a filmmaker casts a new light on the artistry within each movie.

Great reaction. This was one of my favorite movie as a teen with my highschool friends. Spielberg masterpiece 👌🏻 Greetings from Chile.

Just a comment to keep the algorithm going. Really liked your reaction to this film. 👍🏻

They couldn't "flash forward again to him telling the story", you can tell at the end when his own wife has no idea who Capt. Miller is that he's never talked about it to his wife (and certainly not his kids)... Her confused look when he asks if he's a "good man". He's carried it silently for decades because to talk about it would bring up the trauma of it again. When the movie first came out in theaters many WWII veterans had to walk out during the D-day landing scene because it was just too real for them and brought up the trauma of it. Some accounts have veterans "smelling diesel" the memories it connected were so real. If you ever wonder why many veterans never talk about their war experiences, this movie shows why - imagine seeing your friends, the guys you've trained with, shot down all around you, watched them bleed to death begging you for more morphine to ease their agony, not just one but dozens and you're powerless to save them... And then making it home and having someone ask you about your experiences.

Tom Hanks is def not one of my fav actors but this movie is def one of my all time fav movies , such a good movie ❤️

loved the vid. i like how i nod when you comment on sth .. and i like how you dont ruin the moments with too much talking as other reaction channels do.keep it up

Considered the most realistic war movie ever made, from actual reports of survivors.

Matt Damon actually ad-libbed the story about his brother's to Tom Hanks. Your reaction's are certainly genuine and in depth. Just subscribed! Have you done the movie "Fury" yet? If not, you owe it to yourself to see it.

Castaway would be in my top-five.

Great job man. Good luck with your schooling. I hope you go far.

I saw this movie a dew months after my father died who was in WWII. And my Uncle died piloting one of the gliders that was shown crashed which had the plates put in for the general. When i went to the movies to see this i was with my fathers friend who was in WWII also and landed on the beach named Omaha. He was shaking during the whole movie and we had to stay at the end of it for him to get his composer back. But it wasn't just him there was a handful of veterans just crying in there seats. I will always remember that night and the effect it had on all the veterans which were watching it.

The films you mentioned as more obscure, are actually lesser known classics worth of a good watch by anyone!

From the real accounts of veterans about the Omaha beach landings, the story is even more incredible than what is depicted here. One of the veterans recounted that the 28th division were literal boys of average age 19, chosen by Eisenhower to lead the charge as the older men were too afraid of what bullets and bombs will do to their bodies out of past experiences. As soon as these boys were exposed by the ramp coming down, they were mowed down with utter decimation as depicted. All of these boys going in with the first few waves knew they were going to die, they actually know they will die but yet there were accounts from survivors that they clamored with intense eagerness to have the ramps lowered so that they can meet their fate with their fellow comrades. Hearing of these eye accounts by the vets, I literally froze at the thought of it. Absolutely flabbergasted and a total lost for words. To say the word sacrifice on the alter of freedom or the future of a proper human civilization is literally it.

Spielberg just does shit so casually perfect, it's almost insulting. Everything just flows. Everything just clicks.

Watch Mel Gibson's, "We Were Soldiers".

A friend of my fathers who Was it at the Normandie invasion, saw this movie before he died he said it was like he was back there! And When captain Miller told Ryan to earn this he really was talking to all of us! We owe our veterans so much!

I watching your reaction as a film student! You seeing all the diff types of shots makes me so excited! 32:01

The US Dept. of Defense set up a hot line for all the veterans who watched this movie and needed counseling.

Little bit late to this one but the movie is an absolute masterpiece. A lot of the time there’s such a disconnect between the events of previous conflicts/wars as most people have only seen some shaky or choppy footage of WW2. This movie makes a fictional (based loosely on a true story yes) feel like you’re simply watching footage from WW2 in HD quality and completely immersed you. The amount of realism, even confirmed from the veterans that were there on the beach, is astonishing. I’m glad you watched it as it will always be one of the hardest watches but ultimately fulfilling movies you can watch.

I think the military would absolutely react in this situation, because of what they learned from British soldiers in WW1. My God, entire towns and villages lost all of their men in a single day. WW2 they separated men from small towns and cities and familes.

“I thought the captain was alright cause we’ve already seen him.” I was like 17 or so and saw this in theaters and my thought process was the same. When he died I was just like... wait, wait.... but... the old man... the ... the beginning.... Then Private Ryan transitioned to the old man and I just sat there slack jawed. I don’t think I said three words on the way home. In the wrong hands, that “trick” would have been a cheap ploy; a cheat. But it was done so well and was fairly arranged so it just gut punches you. No big “HEY THIS IS OUR TWIST REVEAL!” fanfare. Just that slow pull back on the dead captain and the seamless transition of age on Ryan. Beautifully executed and so effective. We all think Hanks is safe the whole movie so we let our guards down and really let ourselves care about him because he’s not gonna die. So when he does we feel it so much more viscerally. It’s just... it’s so brilliant.

When they were preparing the for this film Tom Hanks and the actors who played his squad did a boot camp to learn military tactics. Matt Damon was excluded to create a genuine animosity.

Actually...Tom Hanks is one of the BEST. He can be ANY character in a movie. THAT is what makes him one of the BEST that ever did the craft.

Came here after your reaction to ‘Schindler’s List’. People in the military have said that the opening scene of ‘Saving Private Ryan’ is the most realistic depiction of the Normandy landing in a film. If you want to watch another Spielberg masterpiece (and because you’re a film student) watch ‘Empire of the Sun’ (1987) - another WWII film but very different. I’m sure you’ll love it. If you want to watch wonderful Tom Hanks performances of recent times I’d recommend ‘Bridge of Spies’ (2015) and ‘The Post’ (2017) - both Spielberg films again and both are wonderful! P.S. Since you’re a Brit and a film student, I hope you’ve watched David Lean’s ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’ (1957) and ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ (1962) - both these masterpieces are a must watch for any film student. Spielberg has said that he watches both these films before he beings directing any film. Also watch ‘Duel’ (1971) his directorial debut.

I saw this film at the cinema when it came out and it was very successful in Italy. In the movie theater it is impressive and the first twenty minutes is pure cinema. Greetings from Milan, Italy.

From beginning to end mere hours, for the various troops involved, 36 hours plus. My father was on one of the troop transports way back in the Channel, he told me that they were on the boat for 36 hrs. He never was sent in, but they were close enough that they caught bullets and artillery shells were landing near them.

A Movie Blooper, in the Movie the Landing Craft are American but on D-Day they were actually Britsh, the majority of American Landing Craft sent to the Pacific... Great Movie!

It took nearly all day to secure Omaha Beach. The came in right after dawn and finally controlled it late in the afternoon. The killing and destruction we saw really lasted all day. Horrible!

Remember you Tommys were experiencing the same farther up the beach at Juno and Sword.

"look i washed for supper" theyre actually screaming in Hungarian "we were forced, we were captured, please please"

Awesome channel brother, keep up the great job 👍

I don't know if you look at comments from months ago, but no - the military would not have sent a rescue mission like portrayed in SPR. It would not have been practical. However, the military WOULD have sent a message to "Pvt. Ryan's" unit to evacuate him once it WAS practical to do so. It was also a policy at the time to remove from combat the only surviving son.

Great reaction. Most people focus on the amazingly intense Omaha beach landing when they describe this movie, but I’ve always argued that no scene moves and gets viewers intensely involved in the film like the Upham stairwell scene as Mellish is fighting for his life and Upham just can’t overcome his terror. So many viewers at the edge of there seats talking to the screen urging Upham on and the mix of rage and sympathy as he just fails to break free of the fear holding him. That’s movie making! I tip my hat to you Mr. Spielberg.

The landing at Omaha beach lasted for 10 hours before it was secured. Obviously for the film they had to shorten that down a little.

Omaha Beach was the worst... Brits and Canadians were fighting similar battles on different beaches but the heaviest German defense was at Omaha

Good review. I've seen this film many times but I really have to prepare to watch it, I never fail to get drawn into the characters and their emotions. Some films I can't watch, I find it too much (Green mile). Stunning cinematography, use of light etc. Wish I had a proper audio set up at home, it does help, particularly with films such as Saving Private Ryan.

The main objectives of this invasion took until June 21 to finalize. So it took 15 days for the whole invasion to reach it's final goal

I’ve now subscribed mate, I like your reaction to this! Couple of points about this film which I think he raised: during the Omaha beach scene Steven Spielberg did not use storyboards it was very much reacting to what happened in front of him, so that’s why it gives a feel almost like a documentary!? And I believe this story is based on a true story which happened in World War II but I think the American brothers were based in the Pacific? If you google it you’ll be able to get the full story 🤙🏻

I totally agree with you about Spielberg. My favorite director of all time

The films you mentioned watching and loving as a teenager and referring to as obscure-those movies really aren’t obscure. (At least not to this 46 year old American. In fact, Apocalypse Now is a classic that everyone must see.)

I relate this movie to an older film with Lee Marvin called the Big red one. It was much less graffic and the plot was not to find one individual, but more to advance. I feel the casting of the main group of men is uncanny. Almost a nod to a previous generation.

I love your reaction, on the question on how come you never saw ''Saving Private Ryan'' or other modern classics, and then you responded with ''because when I was young, I've watched more obscure movies because of my older brothers and my favorite movies were ''Rumble Fish'', ''Drugstore Cowboy'', ''Easy Rider'', ''Apocalypse Now'', ''Blue Velvet'' and ''Jacob's Ladder''. I wonder if these people who asked you that question have actually seen all those movies you'd mentioned? Hahahaha! Greetings from the Netherlands.

Most of this movie was made in ireland and england. The town they called ramelle was totally made from scratch in some feild in the middle of nowhere in england. I wonder if it's still there

Greetings! I just subbed to you & I want to tell you why... I’m a hardcore cinephile & I enjoy film reactions. Unfortunately, some feel the need to constantly react. If you’re offering an honest observation on story, techniques or just how it’s making you feel, great. But, during the opening battle scene (approximately 20 minutes, btw), hearing a reaction channel say, “Cool”, is stomach turning. You were direct in your observations & gave the proper respect warranted for the moment. Amazing film...up there with Schindler’s List...it’s the little moments, like when they’re going through the dog tags that are exquisite. I look forward to seeing other reactions. Some personal favorites: Diegesis, Thor Reacts... What’s your main interest? Cinematography? Editing? Directing? I, myself, wanted to get into cinematography, once upon a time. In fact, that one scene of the kamikaze pilots, in front of their planes, with the sparks, “Empire of the Sun”, also by Steven Spielberg, hooked me right in. Keep it up & stay safe. 🖤🌹🖤🧛🏻‍♀️ ETA...This was loosely based on a true story...5 brothers, I believe.

private Jackson never reloaded his springfield, he had endless ammo XD

The old man ( Ryan )isn’t telling the story , the camera takes you to the scenes being played behind those old dull gray eyes of the war veteran . His wife doesn’t know the man she’s married to & doesn’t remember ever hearing the name of Captain Miller . Because most of these men never talk about what they’ve been through or witnessed during the war with non veterans.

Adding to the legend of this film is that the final village battle was edited to be in real time.

You should react to War Horse, excellent WWI film :D

great choice again

In the beginning someone states that the Ryan brother's were split after the Sullivan's. The Sullivan brother's all drowned/killed because they were all on the same ship. History 101.

12:00 Sole Survivor Policy. In the Military of the United States that are designed to protect members of a family from the draft or from combat duty if they have already lost family members in military service.

I am 47, an American, not a film student, Tom Hanks is not my favorite, but he's really good in my opinion. Obviously people (especially younger ones) have to understand that their favorite doesn't have to be everyone's favorite (or even just liked by everyone).

I'm 23 and looking at you I feel ancient. How old are you like 19? Your responses are very well thought out and very on point. I am so happy I found you. I love your reactions. Thanks Ryan.

The whole set of the Omaha Beach scene was shot in Wexford, Ireland.

there is a saying in our country: soldiers are trained to be used for one day...

Tom Hanks #1 all-time. Enormous range and craft. Might try Apollo 13. He is also "pretty good" in Rom-coms. And anything else he did.

If I'm remembering correctly the taking of the beach was done by noon at a great cost of lfe.

I took my 12 yr old daughter to see this at the theater. I asked her what she thought and she said the soldiers were so young and she felt bad that they didn't get to live a life of their own. I told her that's why we respect our military, our vets, and especially the ones who died for our freedom.

If you are a real fan and student of filmmaking, The Thin Red Lone is an excellent war film. It’s not as heart wrenching but the cinematography is a bit better than SPR. The cast is insane also with big name actors having small cameos.

It's crazy, just like you've mentioned, Tom Hanks is not one of my favorite actors, when I (for instance make a list) think about my favorite actors, but actually, looking at his whole career, starting with his comedy movies like ''Splash'', ''The Bachelor Party'', ''The Man With One Red Shoe'', ''Volunteers'', ''The Money Pit'', ''Big'', ''The 'burbs'', and then his more serious roles in ''Philadelpia'', ''Apollo 13'', ''Saving Private Ryan'', ''The Green Mile'', ''Cast Away'', ''Road to Perdition'', ''The Lady Killers'', ''Charlie Wilson's War'', ''Bridges of Spies'' and ''News of the World'', he his actually one of the greatest American actors of his generation!

Comment (for the algorithm).

You are a film student? Then you have to see Godfather I & 2. These films can teach you much! Cheers.

After the Sullivan brothers, all five being lost on the sinking of their cruiser at Guadalcanal in 1942 the services spent attention to separating family relatives from being together in action. Still incidents like this were not uncommon.

This is also my fave war film. Spielberg made two other absorbing films about WW2: Empire of the Sun and Schindler's List. Also highly recommend 1917, the most recent one made. Think it was released in 2019.

This is the first film where I cried. The second was Gladiator. Saving Private Ryan is superb in terms of the technical stuff and the storytelling aspect, but it’s just a hard watch and breaks my heart how young these soldiers were. They’re still pretty young nowadays as well but not as young as these men were going into such a heinous situation. I wish I knew the answer about if they’d create a mission for one man, but I do believe they have a creed that says, “no man left behind.” Just not too positive if it would be a mission to do so lol but they definitely don’t believe in leaving any soldier behind.

That beach was taken by the Guards and Rangers.

The Green Mile !!!!!

Knowing my grandad stormed Normandy beach led his sons and his grandchildren to be soldiers- I servedbin kosovo, Iraq and mogodishu - lost somme great ppl who I had the honour of calling my brothers

Another fantastic war film is Cross of Iron.

Personally I tend to get more out of small budget and more obscure movies than most big budget leave your brain at the door productions (though they do have their place) Films such as 'Shawshank', 'Green Mile', 'Schindler's List' and too many others to name from the very beginning of film are classics for a reason and most are a must to see at least once...

When you have bullits fling over your head,all you think about is completing your objective

Have you seen ..... The Butterfly Effect, Idle Hands, Full Metal Jacket, Training Day, The Sixth Sense, Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Colors, Memento, Basketball Diaries ????? I got tons more lol I love seeing reactions especially from those from outside America

US Navy active duty for 7 years. The answer to your question: Yes. The US military would engage in such a mission. Why? Do you think it's because the military has a big heart and is determined to return the sole surviving son back into the loving arms of his mother? No. They did this for one of two reasons. Probably both. 1. To avoid a public relations nightmare. 2. To promote its image. I was proud to serve. And these men are heroes. But let's not fucking kid ourselves.

You asked early, how long were they on that beach. Short answers? 10 hours. If the Axis powers reinforced it at all, we never would have set foot in Europe. Omaha beach is always remembered but as an American, I still thank Canada and Australia for their actions on the other 4 beaches we had to take, especially Sword

There were 3 brothers who served on the same ship and they all died. So yes they didnt want that happening again. Cant remember their names but very sad.