Madison, love your channel. I'd just recently retired from the Army [20 yrs, Master Sergeant, Infantry, Airborne, Ranger] when this movie was playing in the theaters. While watching it my wife was constantly whispering to me "Are you OK?", because I'd been to some of the crappiest places our world has to offer, lost friends, and I really don't want to think about the lives that I've taken. Now, this movie has even more meaning for my wife and I. In 2004, we received that "Knock on our door" to face an Army notification team, telling us our youngest son had died in IRAQ.

When Tom Hanks says "Earn this", he was talking to all of us. This movie should be shown in every High School History class.

Spielberg explained that the Upham character was a stand in, for himself. He said he would have been a coward in that situation, and said how could you not be, when faced with such insurmountable odds. The fact that so many did their duty in the face of this, in spite of everything, shows just how special all of the men who served were.

Most people react the same about Upham. Upham had never been in combat, these soldiers were highly experienced. He was also not as highly trained as this group of Rangers. Basic is all Upham had, Rangers go through jump school and far more rigorous training. The reactions to combat can vary from fight, flight or freeze. Freezing up is what they want to drill out of you. Flight is necessary sometimes so you can regroup and come back more prepared. Fight is obviously the preferred reaction.

Hard to believe that this movie lost Best Picture to "Shakespeare in Love" that year.

Ryan already earned it,loss of brothers ,his own service.saving ryan is a metaphor for all of us today,who benefit from sacrifices of your soldiers and wartime civilians.

"I was speechless." Yeah. This movie, and the story it tells us, does that. 'The Greatest Generation' ...and then some!

Earn this, earn it. Speechlessness is a legit reaction.

Speechless throughout that movie was pretty much a prefect response to it. ! Seeing you so completely involved was all that was needed. Thanks for the Great reaction.

Very good Reaction. We Vietnam Veterans, when we see this movie, react the same way you do. We feel it, and miss our brothers who didn't come back home with us. Thank you. I recall when I was 20, we would talk to the WWII Vets, and some of them had enlisted when they were 15 or 16 years old. My Boss, after I left the military, was 16 years old, and was a Marine on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. My God! The stories he told, made me feel lucky I didn't have to fight in that war. God Bless all of them.

Empire of The Sun is another classic Spielberg WWII movie

Cue the “Band of Brothers” HBO series.

This isn't a movie - it's an experience.

Watched this opening weekend on the largest screen we could find. Emotionally and physically draining experience.

Madison, great review as always! You didn't have to say much.Your emotions spoke volumes to us! This story was about Europe. The movie, THE THIN RED LINE is about the war in the Pacific. It is worth viewing & reacting to. Thanks for all you do!

One of the better reactions I've seen from one of my very favorite reactors. I've long held that this movie and The Patriot should be required to be shown in our schools. May we remember why we're free instead of spittin on what was fought and died for.

Please watch "Das Boot".

I don't trust the humanity of anyone who is not moved by this movie... Spielberg and Hanks, after this movie was released, were instrumental in fundraising for the National WWII Memorial in Washington DC. When Spielberg was having a private showing for the technical advisors and crew of this movie, before it's general release... Just a few minutes into the Normandy scene, he noticed there were some of the WWII veterans walking out. He stopped the film, and went to see why (the though they hated it). Here he found these old men, these veterans of Normandy, in their 80's at the time... breaking down crying in the lobby. It was almost 80 years ago, and for them, it was still just TOO real.

This movie never fails to amaze me. I'm so glad that you were brave enough to watch it today Madison. It is always my hope that movies like this one will start people reading the history of WW2 so they can put the movie in a broader context, and understand our place in the world now as well.

The BEST reaction to any movie you have ever given.... I hope your peers and contemporaries watch and understand your reaction to this movie and I hope they can understand that your silence and facial expressions speak so much more than you could ever have... the best reaction. Thank you!

Your comments were heartwarming. Love your channel. Dang onions.

My father was in Patton's 3rd Army 42-45 (687th FAB).....He was 2nd wave Normandy beach . After losing a howitzer in the drink, his first duty was litter bearer. Picking up the human aftermath..... Then he was in the battle of the hedgerows, battle of the bulge, helped with the Bastogne rescue..... His last duty in Europe was helping with the cleanup of the Buchenwald camp.......He saw ALOT of death!!!!

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN should a required viewing for THANKSGIVING DAY because this movie will make you feel grateful for everything you have and it is also a fantastic movie too.

The part that never fails to bring tears to my eyes is when the older Ryan is talking to Capt. Miller graveside and then asking his wife if he led a good life.

One of the most powerful movies ever made. This movie makes me appreciate those that sacrificed and appreciate how valuable freedom is.

This is such a hard film to watch, but it does one of the best cinematic jobs of helping us to understand the bravery and dedication of our forces in WW2.

Being speechless and somber is a perfect reaction to this movie. I've seen people be chatty all the way through and it's obvious that they're not getting it. They don't stop to appreciate what it was really like. You expressed the proper sentiment and admiration for the sacrifice so many made for our freedom. Thank you.

the two German soldiers who they cant understand trying to surrender at the beginning and are shot are shouting "Please don’t shoot me! I am not German, I am Czech, I didn’t kill anyone! I am Czech!"

Madison, I loved your reaction to this movie! I am a Veteran of Desert shield/Storm and I come from a family of servicemembers. My oldest uncle passed away a few years ago - he was at Pearl Harbor on 07 Dec 1941. He was awarded the Purple Heart and he never talked about what he witnessed that day, not even to other family members that served. He sometimes talked about the other campaigns he was in over in Europe, but never about Pearl Harbor. Thank you to all veterans and to their families! 🙏

Thanks for watching this with us. God bless all of our veterans. All gave some and some gave all so that we can sleep in our beds peacefully tonight

After this Tom Hanks and Spielberg went on to collaborate on Band of Brothers, which, is at least as good, and maybe better in that it has more time to tell the story ... Even if you don't want to react to it, you should watch it.

Most veterans that have seen this movie have said this is the most realistic war portrayal ever filmed.

I very much look forward to your film Friday reactions Madison. Another classic Tom Hanks film that tears at your heart. Tom Hanks is truly a national treasure.

Appreciate your reaction. Don't worry about being silent, that spoke volumes. The survivors of the war went under 1m a cpl years ago. A tough war against tough opponents. Most kept silent about it, I always tried to get my dad to tell me stories about it but he would only tell me side issues.

Great reaction! You should check out the companion piece to this (produced by Spielberg and Hanks), the HBO miniseries Band Of Brothers (which some call the greatest TV series of all time). It's actually closely based on real life soldiers of the 101st Airborne (not a made up story, like this film).

That was a great reaction. Many don't realize that sometimes expressions alone can say more than words. Kudos to you for powering through this amazing movie especially having admitted that graphic war scenes aren't the easiest for you to endure.

Not sure if you noticed, but that soldier Corporal Upham shot at the end was the one they released earlier in the movie.

"Tell me I'm a good man..." Is on one of my favorite lines of all time that makes me cry every time too! Glad you made it through this one!

Definitely check out Band of Brothers, one of the best mini series ever.

Please, do NOT ever apologize for being silent! All that means is you are completely immersed in a movie, which is what all movie makers and fans dream of!!! TBH, my favorite reactions are just like this one! Great job, including the editing!

Upham was doing his part for the war effort quite well as a clerk, and I think Captain Miller made a mistake forcing him into a combat situation. In any case, the last thing Spielberg intended was for viewers to hate Upham as many do. He represents every soldier who might have lacked the courage to act at a key moment and was haunted by it for the rest of their lives.

Thank you for your unspoken reaction. You expressed it magnificently through your eyes and facial expressions. Steven Spielberg's, Saving Private Ryan, change war movies forever. The gut-wrenching realism had never been displayed like this before. That being said, both Spielberg and Tom Hanks were involved (producers and Hanks even directed an episode) of the much acclaimed, Band of Brothers. This was an HBO mini-series concerning Easy Company of the 101st airborne, and it won many awards. What sets this series apart is that the people depicted in this film were actually real people (unlike Saving Private Ryan). Before the start of each episode, we are introduced to different characters that survived the war. We don't actually know who is who until the last episode (although I got a couple of my guesses correct). It was an amazing achievement and will stay with you for the rest of your life. If you can, please review this magnificent mini-series.

Great reaction! I always comment this on SPR reactions: There was a Naval and aireal bombardment the day/night before the invasion, meant to soften defenses and to give the Rangers craters to take cover in. It ALL missed Omaha Beach because of fog. Because of that, the Rangers met the full force of Hitlers Atlantic Wall.

Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks created a miniseries called Band of Brothers back around the turn of the century. It's about the men of the 101st Airborne Division. The actual men, not fictitious characters, and their stories from training through the end of the war. Absolutely incredible. AND there are some of the actual Airborne soldiers who parachuted in before D-Day talking about what it was like. I'd say you're pretty certain to cry at parts.

“Close enough but not enough bodies “ was said to me by a DDAY veteran when I asked him about this film. He had some incredible stories!

WW2 veterans, which an uncle of mine was there, have said the beach landing was like being there, the most realistic depiction they'd seen.

6:13 The sad part is those two soldiers were trying to explain that they weren’t German but they were Chechen a lot of people who are in prison during the war within forced to fight for the axis powers it’s a shame

You were doing more than watching a movie, you were watching history. Everyone should go visit their grandfathers (In my case, my father), wherever they may be, and give them the thanks that they deserve. Tell them you love them! Tell them they were good men! Tell them they were the Greatest Generation!

Watched this movie several years ago with my WW2 vet grandfather who was at d-day and fought in Europe. He said that this was by far the most realistic depiction of what that day and the war was like that he'd ever seen. Many vets couldn't watch this movie cause they got ptsd due to the realism.

"I'm not really good with gore" Oh boy.

The brief reference to the Sullivan brothers was about the five Sullivan brothers who were killed on the same ship. There was a movie based on them called The Fighting Sullivans. The actor who played their father was Scarlett's father in Gone With The Wind.

Madison , thank you very much for this reaction! One of my favourite move & love your videos just keep it up and you are such a beautiful woman :)

Mrs. Ryan has four blue stars in her window, one for each son. When a soldier was killed in action, the blue star turned to gold.

The "I was with the only brothers I have left" line by Damon, man that was amazing. I also felt so attached to the characters that seeing them die was emotional. Really exemplifies what war is.

This movie is so great! One of the best in my opinion, and also one of the saddest. That opening scene on the beach was the first war scene I ever watched, and I was only 12 years old. I was pretty shocked seeing it as a kid. And watching it today it’s super realistic and brutal, even for an adult. In fact the battle scenes are so realistic, that lots of WW2 veterans back in 1998 who watched the movie in theaters ended up needing therapy because it triggered their PTSD. Also if you’re wondering, 3,000 American soldiers lost their lives on Omaha beach back in 1944.

My grandfather served in WWII, some who watched this that served had to leave they said they smelled the diesel and gunpowder while watching!! They sacrificed for our freedoms always remember!!!

When you think you are ready for another war film, you should watch the true story "Hacksaw Ridge". Loved your reaction.

So glad I found you and this channel. You choose movies I love and your reactions are great. I'm subscribed and I will be watching. Keep up the great job you're doing.

The GOAT war movie. No doubt. It's perfect.

I had just turned 17 that summer when SPR came out & it was the catalyst that fueled my passion (some would say obsession) of WWII history. I was young & eager to absorb the topic & I couldn’t get my hands on enough literature, more particularly the literature written by those who lived it. Then came the curios & relics of WWII weaponry collecting. It’s just wild to think about how this movie shaped so many aspects of my adult life, from hobbies or places I’ve traveled to see & the people I’ve meet just blows me away sometimes. It’s no surprise your video quickly appeared to me considering the topic. I enjoyed seeing your experience in this video..

I was a Navy Corpsman, I served 10 years, 8 with Marines. I saw this on a Tuesday afternoon. There were 12 of us. Myself, and 11 others, all veterans. At the end of the movies, the house lights went up. All of us had teary eyes. One old man stated the following- "As far as war movies go, that was the most accurate depiction I've ever seen . As for the ACTUAL D-Day, it didn't come close" His hat said it all- D-Day Survivor, Purple Heart. I have always deferred to his expert opinion. As bad as you think it was as shown in the movie, it was much, much worse.

I know you "don't do well with gore", but that opening scene on the beach is widely acknowledged to be the most realistic depiction of war ever filmed. Veterans who survived that have said that Spielberg captured it down to the little details (like Hanks going deaf briefly at the very beginning). Every time I see the scene, it amazes me how visceral it is. The horror of war really hits home.

THE FIRST 15 MIN OF THIS FILM LEAVES EVERYONE SPEECHLESS. JUST IMAGINE YOU WERE ONE OF THOSE MEN WHO WERE THERE. I WISH YOU GOOD FORTUNE IN THE WARS TO COME MY SWEET.

Such a brutal movie to watch. Thank you again for the review. Just realized it was so hard to watch these kids die that i have never been able to watch the whole movie through to the end in one sitting.

The last 25 minutes of this movie...I remember walking out of the theater and both my wife an I felt exhausted physically and emotionally.

The opening beach scene was filmed about 7 km from my house. Spielberg was told to return the beach to it's original condition after filming. Because of this a lot of people walking the beach today have no idea that scene was filmed there.

Great to see you react to this, Ms. Thames. Your reaction was totally understandable, because there simply are no words. Looking forward to your next vid.

This is the sad truth of war, Madison, only for real. This film does show some of the horrors of war and what those who served went through during that time, and what countless others will go through in the future.

A neato factoid. Many ww2 vets were still around when this came out and many had freakout flashbacks when going to this movie back when it was in theaters. It wasn't just a few, it was all across the nation. That lends credence to its realism and production value. I had played call of duty before it hit consoles on pc and the 1st game did the Normandy storming of the beach and it was as close to the real historical record you could get. Then this movie came out and blew what any videogame was capable of even to this day.

Madison I love your channel. Please keep up the good work.

Tough movie to watch but one everyone should watch as an adult. Just incredible filmmaking my Spielberg and everyone else that worked on this movie.

This film is mostly inspired by the story of the Niland Brothers. One brother was shot down in Borneo (presumed dead, but later freed from a Japanese POW camp) in May 1944. One brother, a paratrooper, was killed in the Normandy invasion on June 6th, 1944. The third brother, regular Army infantry, was killed in Normandy on June 7th, 1944. The youngest, paratrooper Frederick Niland, learned of his brothers' fates a couple days later when he tried to visit his brother who was also a paratrooper. He was evacuated back to America without incident. Elsewhere, the five Sullivan brothers were all killed in the sinking of the USS Juneau in November 1942. They had enlisted with the stipulation that they serve together. The four Borgstrom brothers were all killed between March and August1944 in various theaters. These losses led to the military adopting the Sole Survivor policy.

I've seen a lot of war movies. Saw this is 1998 and watched a lot of guys walk out of the theater and honest - I can't think of a movie that had the shock factor this had - the violence in that opening scene was so far ahead of its time. Band of Brothers was like five years later and no one's even been in its zip code for like another 15 years. It was wild, man.

This movie is a thorough masterpiece, I don't know how many times I've seen it and I still feel everything. Your speechlessness is right on. I have to say though, in a tapestry of perfect film production; for me it's always been the sound department that shines the brightest. From that first moment the door goes down on the beach, to the last scene in the graveyard, the sound production is unbelievable. It draws you right in and makes you feel like you're there. Great reaction, thanks.

I feel movies, big time (and this is one of many I feel), and I love watching reactors who really feel movies too. You feel them, that's why I really enjoy your reactions. Keep it up!

Says so much about this film that you're speechless for much of it. Appreciate the reaction!

Madison, your being quiet said volumes. Tom Boyte. GySgt. USMC, retired Vietnam 1965-66/1970-71 Bronze Star, Purple Heart

Just found your site and just LOVE your reviews!!

Don't know if you missed it really... but the 1 person Upham shot in the end was the same prisoner guy he defended to be released... and did end up shooting the Captain, too. That's why when that guy recognized Upham, he called Upham by name... but Upham saw when the guy shot Captain Miller. So he finally shot him, too.

Great reaction Madison! In this war there was a proposal (The Sullivan Act) that I don't think got through into a law but the spirit of it did. The Act was made to ensure no family members were in the same battle group so that an entire family wouldn't be lost together. That is why his brothers were in so many different areas of the war. Your silence was an excellent reaction young lady, it showed how much you were in the movie.

That mother ... collapsing. The most heartrenching scene in this film.

Wow Madison that was a fantastic reaction & summary of your thoughts.

Incredible film. Only movie Spielberg has shot without storyboards. I saw this at the Leicester Square Odeon London on opening night. That opening was truly shell shocking. I particularly remember the sound zipping around with auditorium heads weaving left and right. A both thrilling and humbling experience. If I was to criticise the movie then like most of Spielberg's works it's a bit over-sentimental, but the swine does know how to push buttons. No matter how many times I've seen this the mother taking that one wobbly step back before collapsing on the porch, damn I choke up. This, Band of Brothers and Schindler's List should be required viewing for all, sometimes we need reminders.

Love to watch your reaction to movies I love, loved this one just as much as the others. Had you been a chatterbox throughout I wouldn't have as much, it is absolutely normal to be in awe from beginning to end, it is that powerful of a movie. Glad you saw it, made me realize why some men don't talk about their time in the military, those of us who haven't been there can't really relate with what they've been through so I respect that and let them be no questions asked.

Perfect reaction. Sometimes words don't need to be spoken to get your message out

My dad fought in WW2 in the Scottish black watch regiment and went through hell, even losing his left foot to a German stick grenade. Even he said that the Americans got the worst hammering at Omaha beach. Everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong, but they did a great job. ✌️♥️🇬🇧

You are marvelous, Madison. You don't have to justify anything. War should turn our stomachs, & affect us very deeply. One day, there will be no more war, and we will learn how to live in peace with everyone. Thank you for all you do! 😊😊😊

“Hacksaw Ridge” and “We Were Soldiers”

You did very good, Madison. Great reaction. It did feel real. I saw it on the big screen and I was speechless too. When I came out, I broke down. My Grandfather was on the beaches in Normandy and in the hospital in London during the Blitzkrieg and my Dad was drafted into Viet Nam. Both of them lived through it and we're able to come home to Thier families. I am so thankful for that. They don't call these men "The Greatest Generation" for nothing.

The landing scene was as realistic as you could get. The D-Day veterans that were shown a screening said the only thing missing was the smell.

1. Many WWII vets left the theaters because the D-Day battle scenes were so realistic. 2. Those communications devices are UHF transvers. 3. The story Ryan tells the Captain is made up. The director told him just to say something that might work. (ugly tree) 4. The German Captain Miller was talked into letting go is the same one that killed him. Upham finally killed him. I also thought the stabber was the same guy but he wasn't. They just look similar. (Super race and all that) 5. There really was a USS Sullivan's named for the brothers who all died after their ship was hit by Japanese submarine.

The ammo runner should have done like Basilone did in the Pacific in the Marines that dude had no fear

"Earn this." Was not a message to Ryan. It was a message to us all.

You may want to consider watching a series called Band of Brothers in which Tom Hanks and Spielberg were heavily involved, its based on the true events of an American Company the 101st. Airborne in WW2 so its very authentic with short interviews with the actual men who went on this incredible journey and whom we owe our lives to.

The was the best reaction. You said everything in your emotions.

Oof me too. No words. Had not watched since I saw it in the theater. Still no words.

I don’t blame Upham. He’s the most human out of all of them. Only had basic training but isn’t enough to cope up the true nature of war. He said he only fired a weapon in basic training never in a real combat situation. He’s there as a translator only. He’s trying not be someone he isn’t. He’s no soldier. He’s nothing like anyone in the squad. That’s why we’re born different. Every one of us is special because no one is like anyone else. Not everyone asked to be hero yet we are. Upham didn’t asked to be a soldier & yet he did after learning the lesson the hard way. Both aspects of an individual are seen clearly when payed close attention to & not distracted by whatever which is common for many to misunderstood only to be quick to judge. One could say, are or were you soldier? Did you ever take a life? Where & how many battles did you partake in? How many different facial expressions have you seen before, during & after the battle? Do you see their eyes or gestures that showcases defiance, hate, scared, innocent? Could you still be the same person you were before that you are now after going through all that? We all have different reactions to war. Same could be said when taking a vaccine. Your friend got a headache after taking it while you didn’t experience any side effects. Choices have consequences & no one is free or above that regardless. Furthermore, rules of engagement for soldiers are as follows especially for Officers. POW (Prisoner of War) is part especially if the enemy surrenders. Others don’t give a crap cuz they murdered their friends, relatives, brothers, etc. in combat. Then again we have these rules of engagement for a reason but at the same time it’s questionable. The idea is to keep it professional & humane as possible to maintain as a “civilized being”.

not sure if you caught it Madison, but the German that Upham argued to free was the soldier in the end that also shot Tom Hanks character.

That last line of Captain Miller's isn't directed at Private Ryan, it's directed at every viewer of the film, wherever they might be. I recommend "Glory" (1989)

don't even know how many times i've seen this movie but damn it gets to me every time. As powerful a movie as ever made. To all my fellow brothers happy Veterans day..