The cemetery he is in is the one in Normandy, France. There are just over 9300 Americans who are buried there. It’s immaculately maintained by the French as a tribute to those who died liberating Europe. I was lucky enough to visit about 20 years ago. It’s very moving to stand and look over these fields of crosses and understand how many died. On a separate note, Asia, from one Vet to another, thank you for your service and Happy Veterans Day.
@@ReelinwithAsiaandBJ That guy playing the sniper....I don't know if you've mentioned it....but that's Barry Pepper. If you've seen 'The Green Mile', he was in THAT movie too. Played one of the guards.
Oh wow Asia you served? That's amazing. I served as well. Army, infantry. Thank you so much for your service. God bless you. Great reaction by the way!
Ryan's wife at the end always kills me... the way she reads the tombstone, the way she reacts to when she's asked, "Tell me I led a good life, tell me I'm a good man" and looks back at the tombstone.... she built a life with Ryan, had kids, had grandkids... and in those 30 seconds, she shows that he never talked about any of that, even with her, in all those years. She never heard of Miller, had no idea that man had such an effect on her husband. The shortest but most critical performance.
@@stewartbrown6710 I think not one will tell the stories or what happened there. My mom's boyfriend was a medic in WWII he never said anything about what he saw or did. The only thing he talked about was how much cigs were and the first time he saw NYC after the war.
I am a 58 year old man from the UK first time I watched this in the cinema I cried my eyes out, and the ending there was not a dry eye in the house. Respect from the UK.
When my dad (who is Dutch) was in college in the 80s he had an American professor who was a D-Day vet. After the war he was living and teaching in Germany when he discovered one of his students had been a German soldier stationed at Omaha, which is where the professor had landed. There's no way to know whether they ever crossed paths on the beaches, but after the German student graduated the two kept up correspondence for years and would meet every other month in Frankfurt for coffee. They held no grudges towards one another, despite having lost close friends in the war. The line that always stuck with my dad from the professor was "It's nice to not have to explain what war is like." It's not an uncommon thing either. Plenty of former enemies actually formed close bonds; many found it easier to relate with fellow soldiers (even those once their enemy) than with non-combatants, especially back in the day when PTSD was poorly understood and mental health wasn't taken seriously.
The part towards the end of the Dog Green/ Omaha beach landing scene where they shoot the surrendering soldiers… they are speaking Czech and screaming “were not Germans”. They were conscripted into the german army against their will. That is a very real detail. Breaks my heart every time
I'm 76 now. My father was one of the men who went on to the beach that day. He was involved in five campaigns, (battles), and made it back to have me. He's gone now but he and I were so lucky to have each other.
can’t believe he made and glad he did. This is why i get infuriated when i see people taking knee during the banner for whatever the movement of the day is disrespecting the crazy valor that those guys made.
It may have been realistic in terms of the violence and the “feeling” of battle, but, it was far from realistic in terms of what actually happened. Men were on the beach for hours.
I had to interview some WWII vets for a college paper. When the conservation turned to this movie, they couldn’t finish. One vet just looked thru me like I was there. He talked about friends & comrades as they were in the room. His voice was so low I could barely understand what he was saying. I immediately changed the subject as I felt guilty bringing up the subject. As if I wasn’t worthy to be in the same room.
I will never forget when this movie came out. My older brother and I took our mom to see it, at her request. Her dad fought in WWll. She started to cry from the moment the beach scene battle started and didn’t stop until we got home. She told us that my grandfather never spoke of the war but she said she could hear his screams during the night as he unsuccessfully attempted to sleep. She said the movie finally helped her understand his pain. He didn’t die in battle but he didn’t come home fully alive. His nightmares never stopped. He died at only 52 and before I was born. Man, I wish I had known him. Maybe some day. RIP Grandpa. Thank you for being brave enough to defend our freedom.
I’m a 59-year old lawyer who served in the Marines in my youth. I cried when I read your post about your mother crying throughout the movie and your mother hearing her father’s nightmares. How sad for everyone.
My sister is terrified by my screams because I had nightmares of the movie, it was very intensely stressful as I stopped united 93 from approaching Normandy. It was just me and Ryan against one large plane and we stopped it
@@jabronie8058 If you’ve seen United 93, you’ll know what I’m talking about. The nightmare was very intense still and I’m relieved that United 93 controlled by Ziad never reached Normandy or it might be on its way. I can’t believe that me and Ryan were huge targets to him and I hope that everyone helps this time rather then defending for ourselves against a huge damn thing. I know the worst is going to happen
Hello from a Frenchman! We can't say thank you enough for the sacrifices your grandfather made for us! the American cemeteries in Normandy break your heart when you go there! My grandfather was resistant so I really like when General Dwight Eisenhower felt that the French resistance had played a decisive role, he had evolved that he had done the work of 15 divisions! This movie is really realistic! there is just a small defect during D-Day is that in the film they go much too fast to the bunker! there was much much more loss to capture the bunkers! so thank you for not forgetting the compatriots of Lafayette! ;)
To my friend from France, the American soldiers simply paid a debt to the people of France for your countries contribution to our Independence from England years before. Let us not forget!!
@@thomascerveny572 Good morning! If you knew the old French you will know that they were ready to do anything to piss off the English!😁 and they gave it back to us in the time of Napoleon🤬 (and before during the 100 years war) Now I don't forget the decisive role played by Great Britain during the Second World War and the temperament we had the English! So thank you to them for welcoming combatants from France! don't forget that the first boat that touched French soil was the Kieffer commando (French group that was trained by the British SAS) out of the 177 soldiers only 24 survived the Normandy campaign!
Every time I watch this I think about the people of France and what they had to endure. I visited these graveyards and Normandy beaches when we drove our caravan from Ireland.
I'm an Army combat vet of the first Gulf War, and my son is an Army combat vet of the Iraq War, but me being home and safe, as a father, while my son was deployed overseas in combat, was far worse than anything I dealt with in my military time, combat included. The scene where the mother is on the porch and the military car shows up with horrible news, that kills me every time because that was my worst fear the whole time my son was deployed.
My dad was one of six brothers who fought in WW2. All survived but it makes me emotional to think about how worried my Grandmother must have been. One of my Uncles was in the D Day landing and told me the man in front of him and the man behind him were killed while wading ashore. Surviving was like winning the lottery.
My grandfather fought right there on Dog Green Omaha beach on D-day. He served with C-Company 116th infantry regiment 29th Infantry Division. He got promoted from Private to sergeant in only a week or st. He survived until the war ended and came home. He was decorated for his participation in the battle of St.Lo.Bronze star with V device and the purple heart. R.I.P.Mister.
I don’t know if you’ll see this, but my grandfather landed at Utah on D+1 and also fought at St. Lo. I wonder if our grandfathers ever ran across each other.
Was your grandfather part of operation "Overlord"? I live in a small fishing town in England from where many soldiers were deployed. Every year there is a town service for all American and British soldiers who left that day. Maybe his name is on the Memorial?
my mother's best friend's husband was with those guys. brutal. all he complained about was how seasick they all were waiting for DDay. they suffered in silence and alcohol. my dad and uncles included.
I'm disabled Vet and my uncle was in the second wave to hit Omaha Beach. I appreciate the earnest emotion you guys showed as you watched this. God Bless.
Thank you for your service sir. My father flew choppers in Vietnam. I wish I had half the courage you men have, I should have served but I was a dumb kid on drugs and full of myself. I'm ashamed of myself and honored by our vets. I'm so sorry that our country is now failing the ones that gave most.
I'm a sixty year old Army veteran. I knew many world war two veterans. Most are dead now. But the ones who were still alive when this movie came out. Said that they just couldn't keep watching it because it was so realistic. These are memories that although they were proud to have served. They don't particularly want to relive. I was proud to serve as well. And I don't think we will ever see another generation like theirs where almost every single one of them volunteered to serve their country. They were indeed the greatest generation. Even those who were too young or unable to serve in the actual fighting. Found ways to serve at home whether it was collecting scrap metals to help build equipment or scrap rubber for tires. Everyone pitched in. It's really hard to imagine people today making all the sacrifices that their generation willingly made. For the common good of the country. I'm very glad to see the understanding in both of your eyes of the sacrifice and heroic bravery all these men showed sacrificing themselves for the greater good of all mankind. But especially for us and our freedoms. Never forget that freedom is never free. It's cost is the tears, sweat and blood paid for by the Men and women of our great country. So never pass up the chance to thank them for their service and for your freedoms.
Both my grandfathers fought in ww2. My moms dad landed at Omaha Beach. My uncle asked him if he wanted to see this when it came out. He said "why the f**k would I want to see that? I saw it already, I was there. Spent my whole life trying to forget it ". Miss my grandparents so much.
My dad fought in 4 campaigns in WWII including the Battle of the Bulge & the Ardennes. He even captured a nazi officer. He dealt with it by never talking about it. When this movie came out he went to see it in the theater and came home white as a sheet. I asked him if it was realistic and he said yes especially the first 5 mins. I was afraid to see it. Years later my bf & I rented it and I couldn't even get thru the beach landing scene I was sobbing so hard. It took several more tries over the years to finish it. This is one of those films that sticks with you for days afterward. Asia, I so felt those tears babe.
I can’t get through the Normandy scene either just thinking about what those brave men went through and I’ve had at least 6 breakdowns in 3 days already. I have to be very careful with my mental health now before it gets worse
Walked out of this movie and met three veterans (old gentlemen) who had also watched it. They were part of the beach invasion. When asked how realistic it was, one man said “It was as accurate a movie as I’ve ever seen, son” and the gentleman behind him said “And it was nowhere as bad as it really was.”
I heard of a vet who saw in theatres on opening night, left halfway through the omaha beach scene. He said "It just started all coming back. When i could smell blood, salt, and diesel I knew i had to get out of there. "
@@estebanslavidastic4382 A good friend worked at the local theater when this movie came out. He told us that quite a few old timers had shown up in full dress to see it. They didn't make it past the landing scene. Many left in tears unable to finish the movie.
This is exactly what I wanted to say. I felt the same even though I have never been close to combat. I could tell she has a big heart and I appreciated seeing that. We don't need more cold-hearted individuals inhabiting this earth, since they are already too many. Thank you for your service and God Bless you!
I almost left the movie theater when I first saw it because it was so realistic and then I thought the very least I could do was sit in a movie seat and watch what they sacrificed for us! 🇺🇸😢 Awesome reaction- I love you you both talk it out after it’s over.
i scrolled-down to see if anyone mentioned this - she seems to really understand it innately: "these are the men who fought for our present freedoms" Also, thank you for your service.
This is exactly what I saw on my eight-year-old mind when my father told me what happened when he hit the beach in Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. Everything here he told me about 58 years ago. The men crying for their mother, people looking for their missing body parts, the red water bullets that flew under him as he jumped over the side of the boat. God bless you dad.
when tom hanks says earn this he's speaking to all of us, we all need to live the best lives we can to honor all of these men that died for us to have what we have. these were real people that died for us
Just so you guys know, when this movie came out in 1998 thousands of veterans from WWII who actually fought in Normandy and other places went to see this movie. It was reported that many of them could not sit through it or cried through the movie. The realistic portrayal of the fighting was so well done that it brought back many bad memories for those veterans, many of them could not handle it.
This is so true. I saw a gentleman, WWII veteran with his cap on and all, start to sob in the very first scene, the moment the soldiers landed in Normandy. It broke my heart and reminded me of my great uncle (grandmother's brother) who was in the Army and WW II veteran, and all his sad, sad stories of war. He was obviously never the same they say. He landed in Hiroshima the day after the A-bomb was dropped. The horror he saw.... How heartbreaking. God bless these heroes who courageously fought against true evil.
Babe you need to get re -hydrated after all the tears , which were fully justified. Actually Vets have been quoted as saying that the beginning of this film was the most authentic depiction of what happened on the day . My sister in law couldn't handle it and walked out in like the first 5 minutes of them hitting the beach .
Lest we forget. Thank you to all the veterans. Thank you Asia & BJ for this great and timely reaction. It's a tough movie for sure, but if it reminds us of all the sacrifice for what we have today it's important to watch. ☮❤
@@ReelinwithAsiaandBJ Hi Asia and BJ...there are so many comments, I wanted to get this to you, in case nobody else has said it. It is not a big issue, but it is a mixup that many people make...you guys were thinking that the German that they let go after Wade was killed is the same one that killed Melish and that Upham let go on the stairs, but the two are not the same. If you look carefully in the credits on IMDB, you will see that they are 2 different characters and actors...the one that they let go is identified as "Steamboat Willie" due to his doing an impression of the cartoon mouse that later became Mickey Mouse, while the other soldier is listed as "Waffen SS Soldier". Steamboat Willie IS the same soldier that actually shoots Miller at the end, and Upham does kill him and then let the rest of his group run away...but the man who killed Melish and then walked past Upham on the stairs was not Steamboat Willie. You can look this up on IMDB and see the photos yourself. 💯✌
The most intense first 20 minutes of a movie ever made... I saw it in theatres and a row in front of me where three old guys, obviously veterans of WW2. Holding hands and crying all the way through.... For me as a 14 year old it was akward to see. Now as a 38 year old it´s not a mystery anymore - especially when I remember now what my grandparents told me about the war and what they had to experience as teenagers in Austria in the 1940s.
My Grampo fought in WW2 with the Army from Normandy to Berlin. He survived and returned home to start a family. And my other Grampo fought in WW2 with the Navy, and also survived. Thank You to All Veterans.💪🏽🇺🇸
As a daughter of a WWII vet, I can tell you that the greatest generation is almost completely gone. When there was a call to arms, every man joined. It was very common for many brothers to enlist together at the same time
Not just men either. Plenty of accounts of boys joining to fight. When they said they were 16 they were told they were too young, go around the block and come back to say they were 18! Brave generation indeed.
After the five Sullivan Brothers were killed when their ship was sunk by the Japanese November 1942 The Navy and the rest of the military arms changed their policies for groups of soldiers fighting together from the same town or family. The Sullivan Brothers were referenced in Saving Private Ryan
Try find that patriotism today, especially when men and now women are being sent to die for market shares and pointless endless wars to increase some politicians shares in weapons manufacturing. Sickening. WW was the last war that men died for something of value
@@JJ-ef7lb The internet makes it easy for us today to aknowledge what we're fighting for. The politiciants and the state in which most of our countries are today DO NOT warrant such bravery from their men. So from my point of view, it's not that we're not brave these days, it's about not wanting to fight for someones corrupt reasons.
My great uncle landed and fought on this beach. (And survived.) He would never talk about what he saw. Just before he died several years ago he did an interview with a local newspaper where he finally talked about his time over there. Thank you Uncle Harold for your service.
My dad was an Army medic in WWII. He was on Omaha Beach as depicted in the movie. He was in 4 other battles including the Battle of the Bulge. At times daddy's hand shook like in the movie. Until he died he dreamed of German airplanes. Thank you for the respect you gave to this movie and serviceman. My dad saw this movie and said it was realistic but he said the actual was worse.
Thank-you for that story......I have a 2nd cousin (RIP) who was at Omaha beach as a 20 year old....had part of his leg blown off (like one of the shots in this film)...I never met him, but my father (1st cousins) met him....he died in the 1990s (I'm Australian.. he was a New Jerseyan)
Weird given how the German Airforce basically ceased to exist by 1944-1945 outside of limited mostly defensive actions, they played a small role in the Battle of the Bulge so perhaps thats where his fear came from.
@@patrickazzarella6729 Great insight as you niether knew what this guy's father went through and have never had a worse day than a bad result in a video game.
I was in the Army from 1996 -2017 and saw my share of combat. The WW2 vets and the Vietnam vets were MY heroes. God bless each and every one of them. 🍻
The opening scenes on Ohmaha Beach Normandy lasted around 20 minuites. IRL those guys were stuck on that beach for nearly 7 hours. Anyone went through that deserves the utmost respect.
My dad was there, deep in that mess on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He was never able to talk about it. He died many years ago but I still love him and honor his memory. Godspeed dad.
My grandfather Terrell Howard Price, 29th Infantry, landed and fought on Omaha beach where you see this battle in the movie. He received a Silver Star for personal valor and gallantry, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Good Conduct Medal, and the French "Croix de guerre" (The War Cross) for his actions at Omaha Beach, as well as a Purple Heart. He was promoted from Private 1st Class to Sergeant on June 7th, 1944 due to his leadership, after his platoon lost their Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants and one Corporal due to fire from a pill box upon landing on the beach. He single handedly stormed the pill box and issued two grenades and then using his Thompson sub machine gun clearing the pill box allowing his platoon to advance and move up and off of the beach to the rampart at the top of the ridge where the enemy had occupied. He died on August 4th, 2005 and as he watched this movie 2 years before his death, he went through every emotion a soldier could experience, seeing what he had actually lived. He is the reason I myself joined the USMC in 1986. God bless and keep all whom have seen the horrors of war and remember, these men are the reason we are still free today.
A good friend was working at the local theater when this released. He said the first night it played and through out it's run. Our local WWII veterans would show up in dress to see it. And many would come out of the theater 15-20 minutes in. Unable to continue watching the movie. This was something we hadn't seen before in movie making, at the time. Someone mentioned a veteran telling them, that when they could smell the diesel, ocean water and blood they had to leave the viewing.
When this came out my parents took my great grandfather to see it and he drove a tank on Normandy beach he said three days later the ocean was still red and that it was an extremely accurate depiction of it he was crying thank you to all our veterans
My dad went to see this when it came out and after the movie he saw a ww2 vet crying. The vet said he was there on D day and they got everything right except the smell. It was a horrible smell and that movie brought back bad memories for him but he felt like he owed his fallen brothers to see it. My dad has been a ww2 buff ever since and when someone destroys a ww2 monument on the news he gets upset.
The guy that killed Mellish with the knife through the chest actually wasn’t the guy they let go. He was a different guy. The one who they let go earlier was the one who fatally shot Captain Miller (Hanks). This is a milestone in movie making in terms of the portrayal of combat. I first saw this in theaters in 1998. I was 11-12. I went because my history-buff dad thought it was important for me to watch. He was right. I even brought dog tags to wear to feel like I was a part of it. I won’t pretend I didn’t squeeze the life out of those dog tags during my first viewing. This movie has stayed with me over the years. Tbh I become more emotional every time I rewatch this as I get older because I understand more and more the sacrifice that these soldiers laid down for our freedom. Great reaction!
Correct. Many people have wrongly that it was the same person. A little factoid…. Spielberg later said in an interview that he regretted casting the German soldier that killed Mellish BECAUSE of the similarities in appearance.
My grandfather fought at Normandy. He never talked about it, as a boy spending the night with my grandparents, my grandpa often had nightmares and would wake up screaming my grandmother would have to remind him that he was home.
My father served in the US Army, he was in France and Germany, and he never talked about it either. We wouldn't have known he had a Purple Heart except for coming across it one day.
I’ve had countless nightmares of this scene and had 5 severe panic attacks. I’ve had my 6th outburst this morning, Mummy is very concerned about me after I admitted to her about having night terrors on being in D-Day and had very little sleep since
My mother and I saw "Saving Private Ryan" in the theater. This is the only movie that I've ever walked out of where no one spoke while leaving. My mother and I didn't even speak to each other until we got into the car because we were so overwhelmed by the intensity of this movie from start to finish. One of the greatest movies ever made. Thank you for reacting to this and to many others.
My same experience when I saw it in Westwood, Los Angeles at the National Theater. Everyone was quiet and respectful, and humble. There was no cheering or talking. We walked out in awed silence.
One of my uncles served in North Africa and Italy during WW II, he would tell me stories about being overseas but never about battle. He was in the artillery and finally when I reached high school age my mother told me that when I talked to him I had to make sure he was looking at me because was stone deaf from the guns. He had taught himself to read lips and never complained about the disability. This is why the people of this time are called the Greatest Generation. Not being scared isn't bravery, going anyway is.
My Grandpa was also in North Africa and Italy. Never talked about it. The only time I asked him about the war he said he just wanted to go back to Loretto, Kentucky
The reason D day was so bloody is because of the bad weather and overcast clouds the early morning hours of the operation. For the first couple of hours ships and war planes dropped thousands of ordnance on the beach to clear the way for the troops landing. Except majority of the ordnance missed WAYYY off because the overcast and clouds. The troops thought they was walking into a bombed out beach but when they arrived it was untouched… which caused the massive amount of casualties. Even then those brave hero’s continued and still over took it. It’s actually incredible
When I was a young man with no direction in life, I saw this movie and it changed my life. I enlisted about month later and finished my career a few years ago. I’ll never forget the feeling I had when I walked out of that movie. Humility, thankfulness and a desire to contribute to my country and fellow citizens. Thanks for watching this movie!
The thing is, the lower-ranking German soldiers were no more to blame than the allied soldiers. They were just ordinary, working-class men who had been going about their private lives until they were called into service. The vast majority of soldiers on both sides really had no idea what they were fighting for. It’s very sad. Although Hollywood wants you to relish the death of the opposition, there are no winners in war. The death toll was devastating.
My grandfather was in the navy during WWII. He lived to 97 yrs old. A great life. I was given one of his dog tags. It is one of my most prized possessions.
From an old, retired soldier - thank you to all my brethren on this Veteran's Day 2022 and especially those who are gone from us. And thanks to Asia and BJ for this reaction. Sua Sponte! I.D. tags (dog tags) are worn on a chain around the neck with one tag on that chain, and a second tag hanging off it on a much smaller chain as they have a hole punched in them for that purpose. The one on the smaller chain is taken from the body to help turn in the casualty report and the other left on the body for later identification. In my long-ago days, we had extra tags and would place them up through our boot laces in case the rest of you got really mangled. The 2nd Ranger Bn in the Higgins boats got split up on the way to the beaches. Most went to the primary mission to scale the cliffs at Pointe Du Hoc and take out the artillery guns there. Some ended up over in the middle of Omaha Beach with the 29th Infantry Division - where in this depiction CPT Miller and his company wound up. For the breakout off the beach, General Norman Coda of the 29th spoke what became the Ranger motto "Rangers, Lead The Way" and it is still used today.
Tom Hank's message to Pvt Ryan - "Earn this" - is my favorite line from the movie. I think we all need to as an appreciation to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on "altar of freedom". Thank you veterans.
When the Captain says “Earn this…”, he isn’t just talking to Ryan, he’s speaking to all of us. Our generation damn well better start taking this seriously. Semper Fi
People here ( in the good ol USA ) that have never served do not know what the price of freedom is …… I served as an MP 2 yrs in Germany (during the Cold War 15 miles from E Germany every 3rd day in full combat gear locked/loaded )) in the 80s waiting for the 💩 to hit the fan. We were highly trained and motivated , ready for an attempted invasion. Luckily it never happened. My company was ready to lay it on the line. 1 yr stateside ( reg police duty …. It totally breaks me to see/hear all the violence we commit on ourselves. I think everyone needs to serve. There wouldn’t be all these stupid shenanigans happening. IMHO o7 🇺🇸
@@etnnycmusic I’ve became very depressed after watching Come and See (1985) and Woody literally watched me age from 21 to 28 in 2 months. He’s noticed I’ve gotten very close with Floyra the lead character in the movie and soon as I freak out, Floyra doesn’t leave it to last minute, he jumps into help immediately because I know what he’s experienced. Floyra refuses to let me become horrible like Woody and that’s why we are in hiding now since I’ve experienced some of Woodys terrifying reign recently and I don’t want Floyra to get caught up in it. This is literally a year after I almost died from an illness infection in 2023, when I told Floyra what I went through; he really wanted to cry because he couldn’t even imagine how scared I was
He actually said “Earnest” which means you are very serious and passionate about something, and that Ryan chose to stay at the bridge, knowing that he may still not make it home.
@@joshwestlake5458 false. I just checked the script for the movie, he said EARN THIS and after Ryan as an old man said it again. Please dont spread misinformation
Others have noted that the cemetery is in France. There is a famous diplomatic exchange when the French government wanted US troops out of France. This was after President de Gaulle of France had ordered all American troops out of France which was a problem for NATO as this was during the Height of the cold war. US Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, said in reply to de Gaulle, "Mr. President, does that include American cemeteries?" de Gaulle was speechless. What a massive burn.
My grandfather went to see this at the movie theater when it came out. He got up and walked out during the beach landing scene. It was too much. He spent 4 years over there. The entire duration of the war. Army Infantry. Bronze Star. He was in the invasion, the Philippines, and ended up in Europe at the end. He rarely talked about any of it. I miss you Grandpa. RIP…..
The part where Giovanni Ribisi is sad because he used to pretend he was asleep even though his mother wanted to talk to him as a kid and how it haunts him. That hit home. That hit home really really hard. I've seen this movie many times but that's the scene that still makes me cry. I cannot fortify myself against it even though I know its coming. I used to do the same thing as a kid. Sorry ma. Very sorry. :(
My grandfather was a WWII vet. I remember watching this with him. He didn't say a word but I could tell by the look on his face that this movie brought back memories for him. I have a portrait of him in uniform on my arm surrounded by WWII. RIP grandpa I love you!
I will never forget seeing this when it came out. I was a 15 year old boy and was stunned. My grand father was a WW2 vet. I really appreciate that they portrayed the Normandy landing in a realistic manner and did not soften it at all. Unreal. I cried my eyes out after watching this back then.
Omg when its 1st came out my friends & i all got together and watched it on a Big screen @ my house because surround aounds had recently came out & it was AMAZING experience
When I first saw this in the theater, before the movie started, a young woman and her boyfriend sat right in front of me and was complaining about how violent she heard this movie is, she thought that was ridiculous, etc. I was simmering and planned on telling her to shut up if she kept talking when the movie started. She shut up. When the film ended, everybody was crying but the young woman was hysterically sobbing. Her boyfriend tried to comfort her, said it was just a movie, but she cried, “No! No! My grandpa was there! My grandpa was THERE!” Thank you, Spielberg.
The opening scene of the hell the men went through landing on Normandy beach is 100% accurate. This Vietnam era veteran wants to thank all you veterans out there for your service. God Bless....
the only issue with the Normandy landings scenes were that it took almost the entire day for the beach head to be established. Several waves of men died before they ever broke through.
@paulhewes7333 Yeah and the machine guns were well hidden up on the cliffs unlike what was depicted in the movie. Also the guns were aimed up and down the length of the beach. They almost completely abandoned it as no one was making it.
I’m an army veteran and went to see this movie in the theater when it came out. It’s the only movie I ever walked out of with tears in my eyes. It’s hard to describe the mood really. Stunned maybe? Surreal feeling? Idk I just know it affected me unlike any other movie I’d ever seen.
When I saw this in the theatre back when it came out, the crowd just sat silent at the end and barely moved for several minutes. Very solemn atmosphere. Can't even begin to imagine how those vets, or any combat vet for that matter, were/are able to deal with the aftermath of seeing friends die in front of your eyes. There's a saying, "All gave some, some gave all". Thank you to all of them. Past, present and future 🙏
My grandfather fought in WW2. A few years after this movie was released, he tried watching. He didn't even make it through the opening scene on the beach because it was just too real and too difficult for him to relive that experience. Every time I watch this movie, I think of him and his buddies in situations like this and realize how blessed my family was that he made it home. Thank you to all of the men and women who serve our nation.
Some WWII veterans saw this and had to leave the room. They said it was because it was exactly like it was that day that's how good a job they did producing this movie. Though most are gone, we will always remember these brave men who gave their lives for freedom.
This is an awesome reminder of what our military have voluntarily done for each of us. A lot of the men who served back then were15 to 20 yrs. Many were too young to serve but lied to be tomserve. Because they felt such a strong devotion to our country. J.F. K. said it right "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country?" These men and boys lived that out. A BIG Thank You to all of our veterans for your service.
I was in the 101st Airborne Division, Infantry (1-187 INF) when this movie came out, later I would be in combat in both Iraq, and Afghan. As I remember, we got the day off if we went to see the movie (PVT Ryan was in the 101st ABN). We went as a squad and saw it. I remember ALOT of the WW2 veterans walking out with the D Day Invasion scene because they said it was too realistic; I remember all WW2 Veterans got in for free. Glad you guys saw this. Happy Veterans Day to all of us who serve and contine to serve. A few other movies you may wish to consider are Blackhawk Down, and We were Soldiers. Not sure if you reviewed them yet, but, worth a watch. Really enjoy your content.
This was the very last WWII movie that my Pop's saw before he died on 12-20-1998. It was the first movie that Pop's said was at least somewhat realistic. My Dad wrote a book about all his experiences as an 18 yr old private upon his induction into the Army in 1941 to the Battle of the Bulge to the Americans triumphant entrance into Berlin. The book INFANTRYMAN AT THE FRONT..Vantage Press, 1959 my pop's name was Grady P. Arrington. And my God, I do miss him so. They were and still are the U.S.A. 's greatest generation. Thanks Asia and B.J. for reacting to this great movie.
Two quick things. 1) The soldier that stabs Mellish is not the same soldier that they let go, a lot of people get confused about that since the soldier they let go is also at the battle. 2) Upham was a non-combatant clerk before Capt. Miller conscripted him for his translation skills, he never wanted to be in battle and was never trained to be, outside of the general training he got in boot camp.
My Uncle is buried in Belgium. He was 18 years old when he was killed in 1941. I few years ago, I visited the Cemetary where his is buried. It is immaculately cared for.
Thank you both for watching this, and learning about what it takes to keep us free, I remember seeing this in the theater, when it came out, and it was even more powerful, Asia, I see how this story really affected you, and I appreciate your emotions, God bless all of our active military, and every veteran everywhere, I served, '89-'92, during Desert storm, I really enjoy watching y'all and I appreciate you both, take care of each other, y'all are awesome..👍👍👍👍👍
My grandfather was a POW in WWII, he never really spoke to me about it. But he did go every year until his death back in 2001 to the honorary meeting's his company had. Watching movies like this really makes you think about how GREAT that generation was. Most of those soldiers weren't even old enough to buy alcohol, and they went through those situations that make our hair stand on end. PTSD wasn't a very well known thing back in the 1990's, movies like this brought those topics to the everyday person like most of us. Those we're special individuals that went through all that horror just to stop a bully. I'm not gonna get into who's this or who's that, but as Americans when we see something that's not right we should try our best to help when we can. Peace and love y'all 🤟
I watched this in a large theater the first day it was released. What solidly stuck with me upon watching this; After the flag faded, and the screen went dark, just before the credits and music came back up. I could hear many older vets sobbing quietly. The rest of the audience was absolutely silent and nobody moved an inch for fear of being disrespectful.
Asia talking about the incredible bond between the squad members really touched my hearts. Five of my sons are US Marines, and another is a police officer in an extremely dangerous southern city, and one of my girls is an air traffic controller in the US Navy. Asia’s sentiment about their how relationships with each other is spot on, and that bond strength is exactly how they are able meld together an incredible fighting force. I never truly understood that concept until my boys were deployed into actual combat zones, and they shared that all of Mankind’s freedoms come attached to such an unbelievably high and costly price, and it’s important to never fail to admire and appreciate that fact.
You guys reacted like everyone should, with shock, disbelief, lots of tears, and ultimately, pride in the men who gave all. On a lighter note, Happy Veterans Day, Asia, from a Marine (83-87), and a big fan of yours. 🇺🇲
My grandpa is a ww2 vet. He passed in 2010 at 87 but he was so proud of being a vet and having served. He lost many friends in the war but the ones that survived he reunited with every couple years. None of those men are alive anymore. But they were part of the greatest generation ever!!
I’ve watched dozens of reactions to this movie and this one truly one of the best. Your understanding of the different roles and connections and your emotional responses were wonderful. As a vet myself I appreciated how much you felt this movie. Well done.
A masterpiece of film making, and maybe the pinnacle in Spielberg's legendary career. As a vet, I cry every time I watch it, and I hope people continue to bear in mind the cost people have paid, and continue to pay, for freedom.
as a vet i found my self crying not only for my friends and family that died but for my country and so many of our citizens that know nothing of the sacrifices made for their freedom.
@@michaelsteal9128 This is why good people, ordinary people like these reactors are very important. Through them, a whole generation gets to even get this on their emotional radar for the first time.
This and we were soldiers are probably the best war movies made. Being a retired army vet those movies really shine a light on war. The hurt locker isn't to bad either
This is THE BEST veterans day movie to watch. While I "served", I didn't serve like this. This, IMO, is representative of the people that actually served. I'm glad y'all saw the heart of this in what it is to serve when the time comes for it and calls you. I'm glad y'all watched this, thank you!
So happy you guys did this one. I saw it in the theatre when it came out and I was in the Navy. SVP is a very hard movie to watch, the gruesome reality of war from the extreme violence to the fear of soldiers calling for their moms as they die. It stomps on your heart from the moment it starts and any brief moment it allows you to catch your breath is followed by another kick in the gut. I've seen it 4 or 5 times and it never gets any easier to watch. The hardest scenes for me are on the beach when the soldier is holding his intestines in screaming for his momma, when they take the letters to Ryan's mom, when the medic dies, and then the end when you see the guilt ryan lived with at the cemetery. 20+ years later and i still tear up like a baby watching it. From a Veteran, Thank you for doing this one. ❤ 🇺🇸
My grandfather fought in France and Germany in WW2. He lost his right hand. I always appreciated that he was part of the greatest generation. He was a man of few words but when he did speak it was always with kindness unless he was provoked. The few times I saw him loose his temper I would say he was totally justified. He made me the man I am today. I owe everything to him. He never felt sorry himself or that he has been cheated in any way even though he went through his whole life without his hand. When I see him again in heaven I can't to tell him how I often thought of him when I was faced with tough decisions. My only hope is that he will look back at me and tell me I made him proud. He was the toughest, best man I ever knew. Guys from that generation were just built different.
My grandfather was killed a few days after this battle. Thank you for remembering them and the hell they experienced.. they gave it all so we could enjoy a life of PEACE and friendship
9:30 He cried over the knife because it was a Hitler Youth knife, meaning one of those bodies is probably between middle to high school age. That phrase he said before he started crying are the words engraved on the blade. They’re written in German but the english translation is “Blood And Honor.”
They soldier crying about the knife was it was a small take back from the Nazis. He was Jewish and new what was happening to the Jewish people under The Third Rike.
@@JDPNW-zy4my Not only the same type of blade, he got killed by that exact knife. The german soldier took it from him during the fight and killed him with it.
The knife was given to Hitler Youth not because they did more than join and aged out to military service. They could have been 12 and hadn't kill anyone at that point.
Thank you for doing this one today. My grandfather fought on D-Day so this movie weighs a little bit more for our family. And, Asia, thank you for your service.
Such an EPIC film! I watched in Westwood in the National theater when it came out. Packed crowd. Such a sense of awe & reverence after the movie ended.
Another great commentary. My grandfather was a field surgeon on Omaha Beach. The stories he told me of the medical procedures they came up with on the fly to save the wounded was amazing.
When I saw this movie in the theater, there were two older women sitting in front of me. I overheard them talking about their husbands who had both been in WWII and never talked about it. They were at the movie to see what it might have been like. The women didn't make it through the beach scene. They were weeping when they left. Broke my heart.
So, in 1996, at Saving Private Ryan, you heard two "older" women sitting in front of you openly talking about how their WWII vet husbands had never talked about the war? And how they were only in the theater to see what WWII was really like. REALLY? You heard them saying all that? How'd that go? "Gee Verna, I'm sure glad we're seeing this movie since both our husbands never spoke about the war. Now we can see how it really happened!" And then you took note that they both left weeping within the first 25 minutes? Totally plausible.... It sounds a lot like in '96, when it was reported that in isolated incidents, Normandy veterans had to leave the movie because it was so real. But I love your spin on it, that some wives left the theater. What a great story you tell. TOTALLY believable.
I remember seeing this movie for the first time. How jarring the war scenes are and the emotional impact the movie hits you with. You really do feel like you’re there with the characters and can feel how much they really care for each other. Everyone should watch this movie because not only is it a cinematic masterpiece but it shows how awful and horrifying war really is.
There's a brotherhood that is unique to the military. I served 6 years in the Navy and I can understand Ryan not wanting to leave his buddies and calling them his brothers. Especially when they begin passing away.
I remember seeing this movie with a lot of older men from that Generation. From the beginning scene to the last battle, to the ending credits no one moved or made a sound. Once the Flag was shown towards the end, I could hear people silently weeping as I got up to leave the Theater. Truly The Greatest Genetation from way back then. As a Veteran, I am thankful to have served and to live in this still Great Country..
Saving Private Ryan is one of my favorite movies of all time. I think one of the reasons I like it so much is that it literally shoves the message that freedom is NOT free right in your face! All the little things that we take for granted like going to the grocery store, or going for a bike ride or just being able to spend some peaceful and happy times with your family....the freedom that allows every single one of us to be able to do those seemingly mundane things have been paid in full by blood by the heroes of this nation and the sacrifices of their families. This was a GREAT reaction vid. Keep on doing what you do guys because you're doing a great job!!!
I remember watching this film in a huge old school theater, roughly 800 seats. That final cemetery scene hit everyone in the gut. When the film ended the entire theater, and I mean the ENTIRE theater, just sat there in silence with just the occasional sound of crying/sniffling. It took several minutes before even a single person got up to leave and when finally the audience did so, no one said a word, just walked out in silence. I've never experienced that level of complete emotional drain in an entire audience before, still haven't to this day.
My Grandfather landed on Gold beach with British 12th Corps. I remember him watching this with tears in his eyes. He said the only thing missing from the movie was the smell of blood & diesel.
I was raised by my maternal grandparents after loosing my parents as a child. My grandfather served in the Army as an infantry in WWII in North Africa and Italy. He went in as a buck Private and came out as a Staff Sergeant. He checked himself out against medical advice from the hospital ICU with pneumonia in order to be at my graduation from Army Basic Training. I had no idea that he was even in the hospital let alone how seriously ill he was at the time because my family didn't want to worry me during training. Nothing was going to stop the old Sergeant from seeing his grandson graduate Basic Training including the hospital chief medical and legal officers, or a silly thing little thing like pneumonia. I never saw him look so proud than he did on my graduation day.
The cemetery he is in is the one in Normandy, France. There are just over 9300 Americans who are buried there. It’s immaculately maintained by the French as a tribute to those who died liberating Europe. I was lucky enough to visit about 20 years ago. It’s very moving to stand and look over these fields of crosses and understand how many died.
On a separate note, Asia, from one Vet to another, thank you for your service and Happy Veterans Day.
Thank You ❤️❤️ Same to you 🙏
And the water you see in the background is Easy Red Sector of Omaha Beach.
@@ReelinwithAsiaandBJ That guy playing the sniper....I don't know if you've mentioned it....but that's Barry Pepper. If you've seen 'The Green Mile', he was in THAT movie too. Played one of the guards.
Oh wow Asia you served? That's amazing. I served as well. Army, infantry. Thank you so much for your service. God bless you. Great reaction by the way!
@@195511SM - Barry Pepper was superb in both roles.
Ryan's wife at the end always kills me... the way she reads the tombstone, the way she reacts to when she's asked, "Tell me I led a good life, tell me I'm a good man" and looks back at the tombstone.... she built a life with Ryan, had kids, had grandkids... and in those 30 seconds, she shows that he never talked about any of that, even with her, in all those years. She never heard of Miller, had no idea that man had such an effect on her husband. The shortest but most critical performance.
Agreed
Good point, i’d never thought of that.
my dad was a sergeant in world war 2 to this day we don't know where he was or what he did.
This part of the movie hit me the most, even after seeing it dozens of times, it still hits me.
@@stewartbrown6710 I think not one will tell the stories or what happened there. My mom's boyfriend was a medic in WWII he never said anything about what he saw or did. The only thing he talked about was how much cigs were and the first time he saw NYC after the war.
Thank you to all the veterans.
I did a combat tour in Iraq but I never went through combat like that of WW2.
@@Patriot218Sas a 11 year vet started as a 11B, thank ducking god
THANK YOU to all our Veterans and RIP🙏 to Tom Sizemore:SERGEANT HORVATH in Saving Private Ryan.
Navy here, thanks, fought the air war first Gulf War.
@@Patriot218S it doesn’t matter what war you were in. You risked your life and I respect that.
Thank you to all veterans for their sacrifice . Truly the greatest generation . ❤🇺🇸🇺🇸
I am a 58 year old man from the UK first time I watched this in the cinema I cried my eyes out, and the ending there was not a dry eye in the house. Respect from the UK.
When my dad (who is Dutch) was in college in the 80s he had an American professor who was a D-Day vet. After the war he was living and teaching in Germany when he discovered one of his students had been a German soldier stationed at Omaha, which is where the professor had landed. There's no way to know whether they ever crossed paths on the beaches, but after the German student graduated the two kept up correspondence for years and would meet every other month in Frankfurt for coffee. They held no grudges towards one another, despite having lost close friends in the war. The line that always stuck with my dad from the professor was "It's nice to not have to explain what war is like." It's not an uncommon thing either. Plenty of former enemies actually formed close bonds; many found it easier to relate with fellow soldiers (even those once their enemy) than with non-combatants, especially back in the day when PTSD was poorly understood and mental health wasn't taken seriously.
The part towards the end of the Dog Green/ Omaha beach landing scene where they shoot the surrendering soldiers… they are speaking Czech and screaming “were not Germans”. They were conscripted into the german army against their will. That is a very real detail. Breaks my heart every time
What he said was, "Don't shoot. I didn't kill anyone. I am Czech."
I hated the asshole who shoots them and the laughs after hearing that, pretty commits a war crime. Was glad when he died
@@slovak4life1991 So many innocents died and suffered because of WW2. I pray we never have a WW3. RIP to the fallen heroes.
I never knew this detail, this scene will hold a different meaning with me. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻
They sounded French to me vichy French likely they want to live but they were gunning down American soldiers 10 mins earlier
I'm 76 now. My father was one of the men who went on to the beach that day. He was involved in five campaigns, (battles), and made it back to have me. He's gone now but he and I were so lucky to have each other.
God Bless your father and you too. Hope he knows how grateful I am for all his service.
God Bless and THANK YOU to your dad
People like your father are the reason we get to live free. Thank you, and GOD bless.
can’t believe he made and glad he did. This is why i get infuriated when i see people taking knee during the banner for whatever the movement of the day is disrespecting the crazy valor that those guys made.
@@Tonesnob72 ...Don't forget, all those men at Normandy were fighting for the right of people to take a knee.
Just to add, this sequence was so realistic that actual WW2 vets were having PTSD bouts watching this film. Its powerful.
It may have been realistic in terms of the violence and the “feeling” of battle, but, it was far from realistic in terms of what actually happened. Men were on the beach for hours.
@@Gunnar001 It's a movie, those things demand some rythm. To be realistic you don't need to replicate the exact duration of the battles.
My granddaddy couldn't sit through it. He was given a Silver Star for his tour with the Army in Korea on Pork Chop Hill
I had to interview some WWII vets for a college paper. When the conservation turned to this movie, they couldn’t finish. One vet just looked thru me like I was there. He talked about friends & comrades as they were in the room. His voice was so low I could barely understand what he was saying. I immediately changed the subject as I felt guilty bringing up the subject. As if I wasn’t worthy to be in the same room.
@@TheBongReyes that interview had to be a pretty long time ago
I will never forget when this movie came out. My older brother and I took our mom to see it, at her request. Her dad fought in WWll. She started to cry from the moment the beach scene battle started and didn’t stop until we got home. She told us that my grandfather never spoke of the war but she said she could hear his screams during the night as he unsuccessfully attempted to sleep. She said the movie finally helped her understand his pain. He didn’t die in battle but he didn’t come home fully alive. His nightmares never stopped. He died at only 52 and before I was born. Man, I wish I had known him. Maybe some day. RIP Grandpa. Thank you for being brave enough to defend our freedom.
My thanks
I’m a 59-year old lawyer who served in the Marines in my youth. I cried when I read your post about your mother crying throughout the movie and your mother hearing her father’s nightmares. How sad for everyone.
@@thorsteele69 thank you for your kind words and especially thank you for your service
My sister is terrified by my screams because I had nightmares of the movie, it was very intensely stressful as I stopped united 93 from approaching Normandy. It was just me and Ryan against one large plane and we stopped it
@@jabronie8058
If you’ve seen United 93, you’ll know what I’m talking about. The nightmare was very intense still and I’m relieved that United 93 controlled by Ziad never reached Normandy or it might be on its way. I can’t believe that me and Ryan were huge targets to him and I hope that everyone helps this time rather then defending for ourselves against a huge damn thing. I know the worst is going to happen
Hello from a Frenchman! We can't say thank you enough for the sacrifices your grandfather made for us! the American cemeteries in Normandy break your heart when you go there! My grandfather was resistant so I really like when General Dwight Eisenhower felt that the French resistance had played a decisive role, he had evolved that he had done the work of 15 divisions! This movie is really realistic! there is just a small defect during D-Day is that in the film they go much too fast to the bunker! there was much much more loss to capture the bunkers! so thank you for not forgetting the compatriots of Lafayette! ;)
The French Resistance was important and is taught in schools in the US. It’s part of history.
Vive La France 🇫🇷 from the son of an American Airman and English mother 🇺🇸🇬🇧
To my friend from France, the American soldiers simply paid a debt to the people of France for your countries contribution to our Independence from England years before. Let us not forget!!
@@thomascerveny572 Good morning! If you knew the old French you will know that they were ready to do anything to piss off the English!😁 and they gave it back to us in the time of Napoleon🤬 (and before during the 100 years war) Now I don't forget the decisive role played by Great Britain during the Second World War and the temperament we had the English! So thank you to them for welcoming combatants from France! don't forget that the first boat that touched French soil was the Kieffer commando (French group that was trained by the British SAS) out of the 177 soldiers only 24 survived the Normandy campaign!
Every time I watch this I think about the people of France and what they had to endure. I visited these graveyards and Normandy beaches when we drove our caravan from Ireland.
I'm an Army combat vet of the first Gulf War, and my son is an Army combat vet of the Iraq War, but me being home and safe, as a father, while my son was deployed overseas in combat, was far worse than anything I dealt with in my military time, combat included. The scene where the mother is on the porch and the military car shows up with horrible news, that kills me every time because that was my worst fear the whole time my son was deployed.
Thank you to you and your son I hold you guys in the highest respect and I'm happy the two of you made it home RIP to those who didn't...
Gulf War Vet....1ST INF DIV. You are and will always be My Brother. No Mission To Difficult...No Sacrifice To Great....Duty First.
I agree my son was in the Iraq war was a hard time for me to when he got back I hugged him for what seemed like hours
God bless you and your son and THANK YOU BOTH for what you have done
God bless you and your son. I'm sure there was far more time living in fear for your son, not for yourself!
My dad was one of six brothers who fought in WW2. All survived but it makes me emotional to think about how worried my Grandmother must have been. One of my Uncles was in the D Day landing and told me the man in front of him and the man behind him were killed while wading ashore. Surviving was like winning the lottery.
Did your dad land on Omaha Beach during D-day or a different beach
@Nicholas Gieschen III If he's an American, it was Omaha or Utah
@@jonasjelich4576 or he might have been in either the 82nd or 101st airborne
@Nicholas Gieschen III he said wading ashore
Massive respect to your family man
My grandfather fought right there on Dog Green Omaha beach on D-day. He served with C-Company 116th infantry regiment 29th Infantry Division. He got promoted from Private to sergeant in only a week or st. He survived until the war ended and came home. He was decorated for his participation in the battle of St.Lo.Bronze star with V device and the purple heart. R.I.P.Mister.
I don’t know if you’ll see this, but my grandfather landed at Utah on D+1 and also fought at St. Lo. I wonder if our grandfathers ever ran across each other.
Was your grandfather part of operation "Overlord"? I live in a small fishing town in England from where many soldiers were deployed. Every year there is a town service for all American and British soldiers who left that day. Maybe his name is on the Memorial?
my mother's best friend's husband was with those guys. brutal. all he complained about was how seasick they all were waiting for DDay. they suffered in silence and alcohol. my dad and uncles included.
I'm disabled Vet and my uncle was in the second wave to hit Omaha Beach. I appreciate the earnest emotion you guys showed as you watched this. God Bless.
Hey, Richard. Thanks for sharing and especially for your service to our country sir ❤️❤️
I'm french and I will forever be gratefull to your uncle. I'm not a religious person but god bless him
He’s Jewish. And that was a hitler youth knife
Thank you for your service sir. My father flew choppers in Vietnam. I wish I had half the courage you men have, I should have served but I was a dumb kid on drugs and full of myself. I'm ashamed of myself and honored by our vets. I'm so sorry that our country is now failing the ones that gave most.
I’ll echo this comment. Thank you for the respect you showed watching & commenting.
I'm a sixty year old Army veteran. I knew many world war two veterans. Most are dead now. But the ones who were still alive when this movie came out. Said that they just couldn't keep watching it because it was so realistic. These are memories that although they were proud to have served. They don't particularly want to relive.
I was proud to serve as well. And I don't think we will ever see another generation like theirs where almost every single one of them volunteered to serve their country. They were indeed the greatest generation. Even those who were too young or unable to serve in the actual fighting. Found ways to serve at home whether it was collecting scrap metals to help build equipment or scrap rubber for tires. Everyone pitched in. It's really hard to imagine people today making all the sacrifices that their generation willingly made. For the common good of the country.
I'm very glad to see the understanding in both of your eyes of the sacrifice and heroic bravery all these men showed sacrificing themselves for the greater good of all mankind. But especially for us and our freedoms.
Never forget that freedom is never free. It's cost is the tears, sweat and blood paid for by the Men and women of our great country. So never pass up the chance to thank them for their service and for your freedoms.
Both my grandfathers fought in ww2. My moms dad landed at Omaha Beach. My uncle asked him if he wanted to see this when it came out. He said "why the f**k would I want to see that? I saw it already, I was there. Spent my whole life trying to forget it ". Miss my grandparents so much.
My dad fought in 4 campaigns in WWII including the Battle of the Bulge & the Ardennes. He even captured a nazi officer. He dealt with it by never talking about it. When this movie came out he went to see it in the theater and came home white as a sheet. I asked him if it was realistic and he said yes especially the first 5 mins. I was afraid to see it. Years later my bf & I rented it and I couldn't even get thru the beach landing scene I was sobbing so hard. It took several more tries over the years to finish it. This is one of those films that sticks with you for days afterward. Asia, I so felt those tears babe.
It was the same for my Dad. He was a Ranger. He never really talked about the war either. At least not to us.
My great grandfather was also in battle of the bulge
I can’t get through the Normandy scene either just thinking about what those brave men went through and I’ve had at least 6 breakdowns in 3 days already. I have to be very careful with my mental health now before it gets worse
Walked out of this movie and met three veterans (old gentlemen) who had also watched it. They were part of the beach invasion. When asked how realistic it was, one man said “It was as accurate a movie as I’ve ever seen, son” and the gentleman behind him said “And it was nowhere as bad as it really was.”
I heard of a vet who saw in theatres on opening night, left halfway through the omaha beach scene.
He said "It just started all coming back. When i could smell blood, salt, and diesel I knew i had to get out of there. "
And then everyone clapped
@@estebanslavidastic4382 A good friend worked at the local theater when this movie came out. He told us that quite a few old timers had shown up in full dress to see it. They didn't make it past the landing scene. Many left in tears unable to finish the movie.
the landing scene in the movie lasted about 15 minutes, in reality it went on like this for 8 hours.
@@mot0rhe4d40. 💔💔💔💔🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
The scene when the car is driving up to the farmhouse and the mother collapsing on the porch is so emotional
Asia's reaction to the opening scene is just heart-felt honest. As a combat veteran her reaction moved me. Thank you.
This is exactly what I wanted to say. I felt the same even though I have never been close to combat. I could tell she has a big heart and I appreciated seeing that. We don't need more cold-hearted individuals inhabiting this earth, since they are already too many. Thank you for your service and God Bless you!
It took me three tries to get through the opening scene. It was too real. My empathy was too great.
Welcome Home, Brother.
I almost left the movie theater when I first saw it because it was so realistic and then I thought the very least I could do was sit in a movie seat and watch what they sacrificed for us! 🇺🇸😢 Awesome reaction- I love you you both talk it out after it’s over.
i scrolled-down to see if anyone mentioned this - she seems to really understand it innately: "these are the men who fought for our present freedoms" Also, thank you for your service.
It's in our History books, it isn't just a movie. Never forget our brothers and their sacrifices. From a fellow US ARMY MEDIC Veteran. 🇺🇲
Thank you for your service. Truly, Thank you.
This is exactly what I saw on my eight-year-old mind when my father told me what happened when he hit the beach in Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. Everything here he told me about 58 years ago. The men crying for their mother, people looking for their missing body parts, the red water bullets that flew under him as he jumped over the side of the boat. God bless you dad.
when tom hanks says earn this he's speaking to all of us, we all need to live the best lives we can to honor all of these men that died for us to have what we have. these were real people that died for us
Just so you guys know, when this movie came out in 1998 thousands of veterans from WWII who actually fought in Normandy and other places went to see this movie. It was reported that many of them could not sit through it or cried through the movie. The realistic portrayal of the fighting was so well done that it brought back many bad memories for those veterans, many of them could not handle it.
This is so true. I saw a gentleman, WWII veteran with his cap on and all, start to sob in the very first scene, the moment the soldiers landed in Normandy. It broke my heart and reminded me of my great uncle (grandmother's brother) who was in the Army and WW II veteran, and all his sad, sad stories of war. He was obviously never the same they say. He landed in Hiroshima the day after the A-bomb was dropped. The horror he saw.... How heartbreaking. God bless these heroes who courageously fought against true evil.
A man said he was watching the movie w/ his father, who was there. He said he could smell the diesel.
Babe you need to get re -hydrated after all the tears , which were fully justified. Actually Vets have been quoted as saying that the beginning of this film was the most authentic depiction of what happened on the day . My sister in law couldn't handle it and walked out in like the first 5 minutes of them hitting the beach .
@@ec6951My father was in the Philippines and Japan during the war .
Lest we forget. Thank you to all the veterans. Thank you Asia & BJ for this great and timely reaction. It's a tough movie for sure, but if it reminds us of all the sacrifice for what we have today it's important to watch. ☮❤
You’re so right Cali! Never forget and Thank you to all Veterans! ❤️❤️
@@ReelinwithAsiaandBJ Hi Asia and BJ...there are so many comments, I wanted to get this to you, in case nobody else has said it. It is not a big issue, but it is a mixup that many people make...you guys were thinking that the German that they let go after Wade was killed is the same one that killed Melish and that Upham let go on the stairs, but the two are not the same. If you look carefully in the credits on IMDB, you will see that they are 2 different characters and actors...the one that they let go is identified as "Steamboat Willie" due to his doing an impression of the cartoon mouse that later became Mickey Mouse, while the other soldier is listed as "Waffen SS Soldier". Steamboat Willie IS the same soldier that actually shoots Miller at the end, and Upham does kill him and then let the rest of his group run away...but the man who killed Melish and then walked past Upham on the stairs was not Steamboat Willie. You can look this up on IMDB and see the photos yourself. 💯✌
Never forget WWII
The most intense first 20 minutes of a movie ever made... I saw it in theatres and a row in front of me where three old guys, obviously veterans of WW2. Holding hands and crying all the way through.... For me as a 14 year old it was akward to see. Now as a 38 year old it´s not a mystery anymore - especially when I remember now what my grandparents told me about the war and what they had to experience as teenagers in Austria in the 1940s.
My Grampo fought in WW2 with the Army from Normandy to Berlin. He survived and returned home to start a family. And my other Grampo fought in WW2 with the Navy, and also survived. Thank You to All Veterans.💪🏽🇺🇸
As a daughter of a WWII vet, I can tell you that the greatest generation is almost completely gone. When there was a call to arms, every man joined. It was very common for many brothers to enlist together at the same time
Not just men either. Plenty of accounts of boys joining to fight. When they said they were 16 they were told they were too young, go around the block and come back to say they were 18! Brave generation indeed.
there hasn't been a rightful war since wwii no shit people haven't been volunteering
After the five Sullivan Brothers were killed when their ship was sunk by the Japanese November 1942
The Navy and the rest of the military arms changed their policies for groups of soldiers fighting together from the same town or family. The Sullivan Brothers were referenced in Saving Private Ryan
Try find that patriotism today, especially when men and now women are being sent to die for market shares and pointless endless wars to increase some politicians shares in weapons manufacturing. Sickening. WW was the last war that men died for something of value
@@JJ-ef7lb The internet makes it easy for us today to aknowledge what we're fighting for. The politiciants and the state in which most of our countries are today DO NOT warrant such bravery from their men. So from my point of view, it's not that we're not brave these days, it's about not wanting to fight for someones corrupt reasons.
My great uncle landed and fought on this beach. (And survived.) He would never talk about what he saw. Just before he died several years ago he did an interview with a local newspaper where he finally talked about his time over there. Thank you Uncle Harold for your service.
God bless your uncle Harold.💗
I had an uncle who landed there as well and never spoke of it, that I know of, again.
I doubt that anyone who didn't land at Omaha ever experienced anything quite like it.
@@Moggy471 yep. I totally agree.
Thank you Mr. Uncle Harold for your service and sacrifice. You are everyone's Uncle. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.
My dad was an Army medic in WWII. He was on Omaha Beach as depicted in the movie. He was in 4 other battles including the Battle of the Bulge. At times daddy's hand shook like in the movie. Until he died he dreamed of German airplanes. Thank you for the respect you gave to this movie and serviceman. My dad saw this movie and said it was realistic but he said the actual was worse.
Thank-you for that story......I have a 2nd cousin (RIP) who was at Omaha beach as a 20 year old....had part of his leg blown off (like one of the shots in this film)...I never met him, but my father (1st cousins) met him....he died in the 1990s (I'm Australian.. he was a New Jerseyan)
@@fabianpatrizio2865 Infinite gratitude to your fathers & family for liberating my country.
Weird given how the German Airforce basically ceased to exist by 1944-1945 outside of limited mostly defensive actions, they played a small role in the Battle of the Bulge so perhaps thats where his fear came from.
We can never know what your Dad went through. That is what makes heroes.
@@patrickazzarella6729 Great insight as you niether knew what this guy's father went through and have never had a worse day than a bad result in a video game.
I’ll never forget when leaving the theatre was like leaving a funeral. Everyone was pretty much silent 😢
We can never repay the debt we owe to those veterans who fought and died to to keep this country free. Thanks for watching this film on this day.
Not just this country, but the entire world.
I was in the Army from 1996 -2017 and saw my share of combat. The WW2 vets and the Vietnam vets were MY heroes. God bless each and every one of them. 🍻
The opening scenes on Ohmaha Beach Normandy lasted around 20 minuites.
IRL those guys were stuck on that beach for nearly 7 hours.
Anyone went through that deserves the utmost respect.
My dad was there, deep in that mess on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He was never able to talk about it.
He died many years ago but I still love him and honor his memory.
Godspeed dad.
My grandfather Terrell Howard Price, 29th Infantry, landed and fought on Omaha beach where you see this battle in the movie. He received a Silver Star for personal valor and gallantry, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Good Conduct Medal, and the French "Croix de guerre" (The War Cross) for his actions at Omaha Beach, as well as a Purple Heart. He was promoted from Private 1st Class to Sergeant on June 7th, 1944 due to his leadership, after his platoon lost their Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants and one Corporal due to fire from a pill box upon landing on the beach. He single handedly stormed the pill box and issued two grenades and then using his Thompson sub machine gun clearing the pill box allowing his platoon to advance and move up and off of the beach to the rampart at the top of the ridge where the enemy had occupied. He died on August 4th, 2005 and as he watched this movie 2 years before his death, he went through every emotion a soldier could experience, seeing what he had actually lived. He is the reason I myself joined the USMC in 1986. God bless and keep all whom have seen the horrors of war and remember, these men are the reason we are still free today.
❤
God bless you both.
Reading this really moved me. Thank you both sincerely for your service. Your grandpa was a very brave man. May he rest in peace now.
My great uncle was a medic on Omaha
A good friend was working at the local theater when this released. He said the first night it played and through out it's run. Our local WWII veterans would show up in dress to see it. And many would come out of the theater 15-20 minutes in. Unable to continue watching the movie.
This was something we hadn't seen before in movie making, at the time.
Someone mentioned a veteran telling them, that when they could smell the diesel, ocean water and blood they had to leave the viewing.
"Earn this...earn it."
Every single time...hits me right in the soul.
When this came out my parents took my great grandfather to see it and he drove a tank on Normandy beach he said three days later the ocean was still red and that it was an extremely accurate depiction of it he was crying thank you to all our veterans
My dad went to see this when it came out and after the movie he saw a ww2 vet crying. The vet said he was there on D day and they got everything right except the smell. It was a horrible smell and that movie brought back bad memories for him but he felt like he owed his fallen brothers to see it. My dad has been a ww2 buff ever since and when someone destroys a ww2 monument on the news he gets upset.
@@horrorbuff7803
I watched the movie at home and woken up sweat pouring on Saturday. My sister was horrified by my screams when I woken up in a state
The guy that killed Mellish with the knife through the chest actually wasn’t the guy they let go. He was a different guy. The one who they let go earlier was the one who fatally shot Captain Miller (Hanks).
This is a milestone in movie making in terms of the portrayal of combat. I first saw this in theaters in 1998. I was 11-12. I went because my history-buff dad thought it was important for me to watch. He was right. I even brought dog tags to wear to feel like I was a part of it. I won’t pretend I didn’t squeeze the life out of those dog tags during my first viewing.
This movie has stayed with me over the years. Tbh I become more emotional every time I rewatch this as I get older because I understand more and more the sacrifice that these soldiers laid down for our freedom.
Great reaction!
Correct. Many people have wrongly that it was the same person. A little factoid…. Spielberg later said in an interview that he regretted casting the German soldier that killed Mellish BECAUSE of the similarities in appearance.
then why did he let upham go on the stairs ...
My grandfather fought at Normandy. He never talked about it, as a boy spending the night with my grandparents, my grandpa often had nightmares and would wake up screaming my grandmother would have to remind him that he was home.
My father served in the US Army, he was in France and Germany, and he never talked about it either. We wouldn't have known he had a Purple Heart except for coming across it one day.
Mine drove the boats that dropped the men off.
I’ve had countless nightmares of this scene and had 5 severe panic attacks. I’ve had my 6th outburst this morning, Mummy is very concerned about me after I admitted to her about having night terrors on being in D-Day and had very little sleep since
My mother and I saw "Saving Private Ryan" in the theater. This is the only movie that I've ever walked out of where no one spoke while leaving. My mother and I didn't even speak to each other until we got into the car because we were so overwhelmed by the intensity of this movie from start to finish. One of the greatest movies ever made. Thank you for reacting to this and to many others.
My same experience when I saw it in Westwood, Los Angeles at the National Theater. Everyone was quiet and respectful, and humble. There was no cheering or talking. We walked out in awed silence.
That’s honestly some weak ass shit bro 😂 a movie is a movie . Unless you served, you have no reason to act like that
That happened to me when I saw Scheduler's List. Nobody got up and left during the credits either. It was very solemn.
several people left the theater when i watched it in person
One of my uncles served in North Africa and Italy during WW II, he would tell me stories about being overseas but never about battle. He was in the artillery and finally when I reached high school age my mother told me that when I talked to him I had to make sure he was looking at me because was stone deaf from the guns. He had taught himself to read lips and never complained about the disability. This is why the people of this time are called the Greatest Generation. Not being scared isn't bravery, going anyway is.
My Grandpa was also in North Africa and Italy. Never talked about it. The only time I asked him about the war he said he just wanted to go back to Loretto, Kentucky
The reason D day was so bloody is because of the bad weather and overcast clouds the early morning hours of the operation. For the first couple of hours ships and war planes dropped thousands of ordnance on the beach to clear the way for the troops landing. Except majority of the ordnance missed WAYYY off because the overcast and clouds. The troops thought they was walking into a bombed out beach but when they arrived it was untouched… which caused the massive amount of casualties. Even then those brave hero’s continued and still over took it. It’s actually incredible
When this one 1st aired in theaters, there was a great number of audiences that had adverse reactions because of just how realistic it was
very true... I cleaned theaters back then lol...
There were many more ww2 vets around in 1998 and that opening triggered a lot of PTSD.
Yeah and I was one of them !!! I found GREAT respect for the soldiers who died and the ones who lived.
When I was a young man with no direction in life, I saw this movie and it changed my life. I enlisted about month later and finished my career a few years ago. I’ll never forget the feeling I had when I walked out of that movie. Humility, thankfulness and a desire to contribute to my country and fellow citizens. Thanks for watching this movie!
The thing is, the lower-ranking German soldiers were no more to blame than the allied soldiers. They were just ordinary, working-class men who had been going about their private lives until they were called into service. The vast majority of soldiers on both sides really had no idea what they were fighting for. It’s very sad. Although Hollywood wants you to relish the death of the opposition, there are no winners in war. The death toll was devastating.
This is a staunchly anti war film that’s nuts
@@magmapixel8627 Ikr?
@@magmapixel8627 not really. There's so much heroic glorification of war in this movie. This is military propaganda disguised as anti-war.
@@magmapixel8627 A soldiers first duty is to do all that is possible to avoid war, the rifle can be a tool for peace if used with the right motive
❤️ What a Veteran’s Day tribute. Thank you so much, guys.
Let’s give Mr. Spielberg his credit. No one else could have pulled this film off.
My grandfather was in the navy during WWII. He lived to 97 yrs old. A great life. I was given one of his dog tags. It is one of my most prized possessions.
From an old, retired soldier - thank you to all my brethren on this Veteran's Day 2022 and especially those who are gone from us. And thanks to Asia and BJ for this reaction. Sua Sponte! I.D. tags (dog tags) are worn on a chain around the neck with one tag on that chain, and a second tag hanging off it on a much smaller chain as they have a hole punched in them for that purpose. The one on the smaller chain is taken from the body to help turn in the casualty report and the other left on the body for later identification. In my long-ago days, we had extra tags and would place them up through our boot laces in case the rest of you got really mangled.
The 2nd Ranger Bn in the Higgins boats got split up on the way to the beaches. Most went to the primary mission to scale the cliffs at Pointe Du Hoc and take out the artillery guns there. Some ended up over in the middle of Omaha Beach with the 29th Infantry Division - where in this depiction CPT Miller and his company wound up. For the breakout off the beach, General Norman Coda of the 29th spoke what became the Ranger motto "Rangers, Lead The Way" and it is still used today.
I always appreciated that they had Cpt Miller say “follow me” during the opening scene.
@@goldenageofdinosaurs7192 "I am the Infantry...Follow Me" heard every day at the Infantry School at Fort Benning. 👍
Tom Hank's message to Pvt Ryan - "Earn this" - is my favorite line from the movie. I think we all need to as an appreciation to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on "altar of freedom". Thank you veterans.
I get the sentiment behind the message of that line... but a soldier never would have said that to another soldier.
When the Captain says “Earn this…”, he isn’t just talking to Ryan, he’s speaking to all of us. Our generation damn well better start taking this seriously.
Semper Fi
People here ( in the good ol USA ) that have never served do not know what the price of freedom is …… I served as an MP 2 yrs in Germany (during the Cold War 15 miles from E Germany every 3rd day in full combat gear locked/loaded )) in the 80s waiting for the 💩 to hit the fan. We were highly trained and motivated , ready for an attempted invasion. Luckily it never happened. My company was ready to lay it on the line. 1 yr stateside ( reg police duty …. It totally breaks me to see/hear all the violence we commit on ourselves. I think everyone needs to serve. There wouldn’t be all these stupid shenanigans happening. IMHO o7 🇺🇸
@@etnnycmusic
I’ve became very depressed after watching Come and See (1985) and Woody literally watched me age from 21 to 28 in 2 months. He’s noticed I’ve gotten very close with Floyra the lead character in the movie and soon as I freak out, Floyra doesn’t leave it to last minute, he jumps into help immediately because I know what he’s experienced. Floyra refuses to let me become horrible like Woody and that’s why we are in hiding now since I’ve experienced some of Woodys terrifying reign recently and I don’t want Floyra to get caught up in it. This is literally a year after I almost died from an illness infection in 2023, when I told Floyra what I went through; he really wanted to cry because he couldn’t even imagine how scared I was
He actually said “Earnest” which means you are very serious and passionate about something, and that Ryan chose to stay at the bridge, knowing that he may still not make it home.
@@joshwestlake5458 false. I just checked the script for the movie, he said EARN THIS and after Ryan as an old man said it again. Please dont spread misinformation
Others have noted that the cemetery is in France. There is a famous diplomatic exchange when the French government wanted US troops out of France. This was after President de Gaulle of France had ordered all American troops out of France which was a problem for NATO as this was during the Height of the cold war. US Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, said in reply to de Gaulle, "Mr. President, does that include American cemeteries?" de Gaulle was speechless. What a massive burn.
My grandfather went to see this at the movie theater when it came out. He got up and walked out during the beach landing scene. It was too much.
He spent 4 years over there. The entire duration of the war. Army Infantry. Bronze Star. He was in the invasion, the Philippines, and ended up in Europe at the end. He rarely talked about any of it.
I miss you Grandpa. RIP…..
The part where Giovanni Ribisi is sad because he used to pretend he was asleep even though his mother wanted to talk to him as a kid and how it haunts him. That hit home. That hit home really really hard. I've seen this movie many times but that's the scene that still makes me cry. I cannot fortify myself against it even though I know its coming. I used to do the same thing as a kid. Sorry ma. Very sorry. :(
I cried right along with you. It’s a hell of a thing that generation went through.
And now kids the same age need safe spaces…… Wish we could go back
@@SM-tj6qp Nice try. It has all been completely pissed away. There is no getting away from what is coming.
@@SM-tj6qp there's no excuse for being weak in the country of opportunity
My grandfather was a WWII vet. I remember watching this with him. He didn't say a word but I could tell by the look on his face that this movie brought back memories for him. I have a portrait of him in uniform on my arm surrounded by WWII. RIP grandpa I love you!
I will never forget seeing this when it came out. I was a 15 year old boy and was stunned. My grand father was a WW2 vet. I really appreciate that they portrayed the Normandy landing in a realistic manner and did not soften it at all. Unreal. I cried my eyes out after watching this back then.
Omg when its 1st came out my friends & i all got together and watched it on a Big screen @ my house because surround aounds had recently came out & it was AMAZING experience
When I first saw this in the theater, before the movie started, a young woman and her boyfriend sat right in front of me and was complaining about how violent she heard this movie is, she thought that was ridiculous, etc. I was simmering and planned on telling her to shut up if she kept talking when the movie started. She shut up. When the film ended, everybody was crying but the young woman was hysterically sobbing. Her boyfriend tried to comfort her, said it was just a movie, but she cried, “No! No! My grandpa was there! My grandpa was THERE!” Thank you, Spielberg.
This was cathartic for many of us.
The opening scene of the hell the men went through landing on Normandy beach is 100% accurate. This Vietnam era veteran wants to thank all you veterans out there for your service. God Bless....
I thank you for serving in Vietnam. Everyone should appreciate you all as much too;)
A big second to that Brother.
the only issue with the Normandy landings scenes were that it took almost the entire day for the beach head to be established. Several waves of men died before they ever broke through.
It was actually worse but I think Spielberg does his best to capture what it was like.
@paulhewes7333 Yeah and the machine guns were well hidden up on the cliffs unlike what was depicted in the movie. Also the guns were aimed up and down the length of the beach. They almost completely abandoned it as no one was making it.
I’m an army veteran and went to see this movie in the theater when it came out. It’s the only movie I ever walked out of with tears in my eyes. It’s hard to describe the mood really. Stunned maybe? Surreal feeling? Idk I just know it affected me unlike any other movie I’d ever seen.
When I saw this in the theatre back when it came out, the crowd just sat silent at the end and barely moved for several minutes. Very solemn atmosphere. Can't even begin to imagine how those vets, or any combat vet for that matter, were/are able to deal with the aftermath of seeing friends die in front of your eyes. There's a saying, "All gave some, some gave all". Thank you to all of them. Past, present and future 🙏
Thank you for leaving the Bixby letter in your reaction so many reactors cut that part out. It’s such a powerful part of the movie.
I love this reaction, & my fellow patriots. May God bless all of the veterans, & the United States of America.
From sea to shining sea.
My grandfather fought in WW2. A few years after this movie was released, he tried watching. He didn't even make it through the opening scene on the beach because it was just too real and too difficult for him to relive that experience. Every time I watch this movie, I think of him and his buddies in situations like this and realize how blessed my family was that he made it home. Thank you to all of the men and women who serve our nation.
Some WWII veterans saw this and had to leave the room. They said it was because it was exactly like it was that day that's how good a job they did producing this movie. Though most are gone, we will always remember these brave men who gave their lives for freedom.
Happy Veterans Day!! My grandfather was in WW2 and stormed Guadalcanal! Thanks to all the men and women who served our country fighting for freedom!!
This is an awesome reminder of what our military have voluntarily done for each of us. A lot of the men who served back then were15 to 20 yrs. Many were too young to serve but lied to be tomserve. Because they felt such a strong devotion to our country. J.F. K. said it right "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country?" These men and boys lived that out. A BIG Thank You to all of our veterans for your service.
I was in the 101st Airborne Division, Infantry (1-187 INF) when this movie came out, later I would be in combat in both Iraq, and Afghan. As I remember, we got the day off if we went to see the movie (PVT Ryan was in the 101st ABN). We went as a squad and saw it. I remember ALOT of the WW2 veterans walking out with the D Day Invasion scene because they said it was too realistic; I remember all WW2 Veterans got in for free. Glad you guys saw this. Happy Veterans Day to all of us who serve and contine to serve. A few other movies you may wish to consider are Blackhawk Down, and We were Soldiers. Not sure if you reviewed them yet, but, worth a watch. Really enjoy your content.
This was the very last WWII movie that my Pop's saw before he died on 12-20-1998. It was the first movie that Pop's said was at least somewhat realistic. My Dad wrote a book about all his experiences as an 18 yr old private upon his induction into the Army in 1941 to the Battle of the Bulge to the Americans triumphant entrance into Berlin. The book INFANTRYMAN AT THE FRONT..Vantage Press, 1959 my pop's name was Grady P. Arrington. And my God, I do miss him so. They were and still are the U.S.A. 's greatest generation. Thanks Asia and B.J. for reacting to this great movie.
Asia's crying made me cry, even though i saw this movie before, it's such an amazing movie and your reactions so genuine.
This film was a masterpiece. So gritty and real regarding the horrors of war. Simply no words.
Two quick things.
1) The soldier that stabs Mellish is not the same soldier that they let go, a lot of people get confused about that since the soldier they let go is also at the battle.
2) Upham was a non-combatant clerk before Capt. Miller conscripted him for his translation skills, he never wanted to be in battle and was never trained to be, outside of the general training he got in boot camp.
Thanks for clearing this up! Many people actually don´t get it the first time.
My Uncle is buried in Belgium. He was 18 years old when he was killed in 1941.
I few years ago, I visited the Cemetary where his is buried.
It is immaculately cared for.
Thank you both for watching this, and learning about what it takes to keep us free, I remember seeing this in the theater, when it came out, and it was even more powerful, Asia, I see how this story really affected you, and I appreciate your emotions, God bless all of our active military, and every veteran everywhere, I served, '89-'92, during Desert storm, I really enjoy watching y'all and I appreciate you both, take care of each other, y'all are awesome..👍👍👍👍👍
My grandfather was a POW in WWII, he never really spoke to me about it. But he did go every year until his death back in 2001 to the honorary meeting's his company had. Watching movies like this really makes you think about how GREAT that generation was. Most of those soldiers weren't even old enough to buy alcohol, and they went through those situations that make our hair stand on end. PTSD wasn't a very well known thing back in the 1990's, movies like this brought those topics to the everyday person like most of us. Those we're special individuals that went through all that horror just to stop a bully. I'm not gonna get into who's this or who's that, but as Americans when we see something that's not right we should try our best to help when we can. Peace and love y'all 🤟
I watched this in a large theater the first day it was released. What solidly stuck with me upon watching this; After the flag faded, and the screen went dark, just before the credits and music came back up. I could hear many older vets sobbing quietly. The rest of the audience was absolutely silent and nobody moved an inch for fear of being disrespectful.
I witnessed the same thing.
@@FlashCadallic Same here.
Same here. It was much more than a day at the theater.
Asia talking about the incredible bond between the squad members really touched my hearts. Five of my sons are US Marines, and another is a police officer in an extremely dangerous southern city, and one of my girls is an air traffic controller in the US Navy. Asia’s sentiment about their how relationships with each other is spot on, and that bond strength is exactly how they are able meld together an incredible fighting force. I never truly understood that concept until my boys were deployed into actual combat zones, and they shared that all of Mankind’s freedoms come attached to such an unbelievably high and costly price, and it’s important to never fail to admire and appreciate that fact.
You guys reacted like everyone should, with shock, disbelief, lots of tears, and ultimately, pride in the men who gave all. On a lighter note, Happy Veterans Day, Asia, from a Marine (83-87), and a big fan of yours. 🇺🇲
Same to you FAM
Happy Veterans Day ❤️❤️
@@ReelinwithAsiaandBJ 😊❤️😊
My grandpa is a ww2 vet. He passed in 2010 at 87 but he was so proud of being a vet and having served. He lost many friends in the war but the ones that survived he reunited with every couple years. None of those men are alive anymore. But they were part of the greatest generation ever!!
Most of all thank your veterans for their service when you see them in public. Thank you for your service.
I’ve watched dozens of reactions to this movie and this one truly one of the best. Your understanding of the different roles and connections and your emotional responses were wonderful. As a vet myself I appreciated how much you felt this movie. Well done.
Thank “you” ❤️❤️
A masterpiece of film making, and maybe the pinnacle in Spielberg's legendary career. As a vet, I cry every time I watch it, and I hope people continue to bear in mind the cost people have paid, and continue to pay, for freedom.
as a vet i found my self crying not only for my friends and family that died but for my country and so many of our citizens that know nothing of the sacrifices made for their freedom.
@@michaelsteal9128 This is why good people, ordinary people like these reactors are very important. Through them, a whole generation gets to even get this on their emotional radar for the first time.
This and we were soldiers are probably the best war movies made. Being a retired army vet those movies really shine a light on war. The hurt locker isn't to bad either
I think it got a little too Hollywood after the beach landing, which was awesome
@@denroy3 obviously you never served
This is THE BEST veterans day movie to watch. While I "served", I didn't serve like this. This, IMO, is representative of the people that actually served. I'm glad y'all saw the heart of this in what it is to serve when the time comes for it and calls you. I'm glad y'all watched this, thank you!
So happy you guys did this one. I saw it in the theatre when it came out and I was in the Navy. SVP is a very hard movie to watch, the gruesome reality of war from the extreme violence to the fear of soldiers calling for their moms as they die. It stomps on your heart from the moment it starts and any brief moment it allows you to catch your breath is followed by another kick in the gut. I've seen it 4 or 5 times and it never gets any easier to watch.
The hardest scenes for me are on the beach when the soldier is holding his intestines in screaming for his momma, when they take the letters to Ryan's mom, when the medic dies, and then the end when you see the guilt ryan lived with at the cemetery. 20+ years later and i still tear up like a baby watching it.
From a Veteran, Thank you for doing this one. ❤ 🇺🇸
It’s our honor! Happy Veterans Day Shawn! ❤️❤️
My grandfather fought in France and Germany in WW2. He lost his right hand. I always appreciated that he was part of the greatest generation. He was a man of few words but when he did speak it was always with kindness unless he was provoked. The few times I saw him loose his temper I would say he was totally justified. He made me the man I am today. I owe everything to him. He never felt sorry himself or that he has been cheated in any way even though he went through his whole life without his hand. When I see him again in heaven I can't to tell him how I often thought of him when I was faced with tough decisions. My only hope is that he will look back at me and tell me I made him proud. He was the toughest, best man I ever knew. Guys from that generation were just built different.
I love the pride in Asia's voice when she sees the flag at the start. Happy veterans day
My grandfather was killed a few days after this battle. Thank you for remembering them and the hell they experienced.. they gave it all so we could enjoy a life of PEACE and friendship
The opening when they stormed the beach was so depressing to watch. To know that our young men actually went through that is heart breaking.
9:30 He cried over the knife because it was a Hitler Youth knife, meaning one of those bodies is probably between middle to high school age. That phrase he said before he started crying are the words engraved on the blade. They’re written in German but the english translation is “Blood And Honor.”
Don't forget he is a Jew too.
They soldier crying about the knife was it was a small take back from the Nazis. He was Jewish and new what was happening to the Jewish people under The Third Rike.
@@jerryforenzo288 I believe he was also Jewish, which is why he cried. Also, foreshadowing that he died by the same type of blade too. 🥺
@@JDPNW-zy4my Not only the same type of blade, he got killed by that exact knife. The german soldier took it from him during the fight and killed him with it.
The knife was given to Hitler Youth not because they did more than join and aged out to military service. They could have been 12 and hadn't kill anyone at that point.
Thank you for doing this one today. My grandfather fought on D-Day so this movie weighs a little bit more for our family. And, Asia, thank you for your service.
Such an EPIC film! I watched in Westwood in the National theater when it came out. Packed crowd. Such a sense of awe & reverence after the movie ended.
Another great commentary. My grandfather was a field surgeon on Omaha Beach. The stories he told me of the medical procedures they came up with on the fly to save the wounded was amazing.
When I saw this movie in the theater, there were two older women sitting in front of me. I overheard them talking about their husbands who had both been in WWII and never talked about it. They were at the movie to see what it might have been like. The women didn't make it through the beach scene. They were weeping when they left. Broke my heart.
So, in 1996, at Saving Private Ryan, you heard two "older" women sitting in front of you openly talking about how their WWII vet husbands had never talked about the war? And how they were only in the theater to see what WWII was really like. REALLY? You heard them saying all that? How'd that go? "Gee Verna, I'm sure glad we're seeing this movie since both our husbands never spoke about the war. Now we can see how it really happened!" And then you took note that they both left weeping within the first 25 minutes?
Totally plausible.... It sounds a lot like in '96, when it was reported that in isolated incidents, Normandy veterans had to leave the movie because it was so real.
But I love your spin on it, that some wives left the theater. What a great story you tell. TOTALLY believable.
better than when I saw it. We had a pair of girls giggling at the back of the theatre for half the movie. I was as pissed as my mom, that's for sure
I remember seeing this movie for the first time. How jarring the war scenes are and the emotional impact the movie hits you with. You really do feel like you’re there with the characters and can feel how much they really care for each other.
Everyone should watch this movie because not only is it a cinematic masterpiece but it shows how awful and horrifying war really is.
There's a brotherhood that is unique to the military. I served 6 years in the Navy and I can understand Ryan not wanting to leave his buddies and calling them his brothers. Especially when they begin passing away.
It’s amazing how a great piece of art like this can effect all of us so deeply. I cried like Asia the first time I saw this. No shame.
I remember seeing this movie with a lot of older men from that Generation. From the beginning scene to the last battle, to the ending credits no one moved or made a sound. Once the Flag was shown towards the end, I could hear people silently weeping as I got up to leave the Theater. Truly The Greatest Genetation from way back then. As a Veteran, I am thankful to have served and to live in this still Great Country..
Saving Private Ryan is one of my favorite movies of all time. I think one of the reasons I like it so much is that it literally shoves the message that freedom is NOT free right in your face! All the little things that we take for granted like going to the grocery store, or going for a bike ride or just being able to spend some peaceful and happy times with your family....the freedom that allows every single one of us to be able to do those seemingly mundane things have been paid in full by blood by the heroes of this nation and the sacrifices of their families. This was a GREAT reaction vid. Keep on doing what you do guys because you're doing a great job!!!
I remember watching this film in a huge old school theater, roughly 800 seats. That final cemetery scene hit everyone in the gut. When the film ended the entire theater, and I mean the ENTIRE theater, just sat there in silence with just the occasional sound of crying/sniffling. It took several minutes before even a single person got up to leave and when finally the audience did so, no one said a word, just walked out in silence. I've never experienced that level of complete emotional drain in an entire audience before, still haven't to this day.
My Grandfather landed on Gold beach with British 12th Corps. I remember him watching this with tears in his eyes. He said the only thing missing from the movie was the smell of blood & diesel.
I was raised by my maternal grandparents after loosing my parents as a child. My grandfather served in the Army as an infantry in WWII in North Africa and Italy. He went in as a buck Private and came out as a Staff Sergeant. He checked himself out against medical advice from the hospital ICU with pneumonia in order to be at my graduation from Army Basic Training. I had no idea that he was even in the hospital let alone how seriously ill he was at the time because my family didn't want to worry me during training. Nothing was going to stop the old Sergeant from seeing his grandson graduate Basic Training including the hospital chief medical and legal officers, or a silly thing little thing like pneumonia. I never saw him look so proud than he did on my graduation day.