Saving Private Ryan is not a romantic, feel-good movie, but it is probably one of the best movies I have ever seen. It is without a doubt one of the most realistic films produced.
A group of eight soldiers, having survived the carnage of the D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach, are called upon to find Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), who has lost all three of his brothers in the battle. He is to be returned home to his family. However, due to some confusion in the invasion, it is not certain where he is to be found; Private Ryan is a "needle in a stack of needles". The soldiers, led by Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) are led reluctantly on their mission. Almost immediately, they begin questioning the worth of risking eight men's lives in order to save one. Captain Miller rationalizes that each life lost in combat is supposed to save 10 lives.
Actor Tom Hanks, center, points to 250 veterans at...
Saving Private Ryan
04-01502 Ryan SCW constructionWithin that paradigm, how can their current mission make any sense? A statement made by private Riben also shows a discontent to the mission; "Where is the sense that risking the lives of the eight us to save one?" The soldiers begin to detest their mission to save Private Ryan, even hoping to find his name on one of the dog tags taken from some dead soldiers. One of the eight soldiers, private Jackson said to captain Miller "This entire mission is a serious misallocation of valuable military resources." It is difficult to be called to rescue someone, to go beyond our comfort zone, and to do that which seems irrational in order to save that which is lost.
This is one movie that should not be negatively reviewed because of the degree of violence. Saving Private Ryan is about a horrible...