This weekend I watched the movie "Saving Private Ryan" which is, simply, an amazing movie and one of my all-time favorites. Mr. Bruns, I'm sure you've seen it many times but here's a recap.The movie starts as it is discovered that three or four brothers of a household, the Ryan household, have died. To prevent the mother from undergoing more agony after receiving 3 death notices, a mission is hatched to find and return home, Private Ryan (played by Matt Damon). Tom Hank's character, Cpt. Miller of the 2nd Ranger battalion, is in charge of the search and rescue, amid the threat of death and low morale. The mission takes them through Nazi territory as they try to establish contact with Ryan's unit. The journey is plagued with mistaken identity, death, challanged leadership, and intense moments of fury. When ryan is finally found, he protests leaving, due to his loyalty to his men. It is then that he is reminded of the deaths or Carpazo and Wade. He, however, remains at his post, with rhe only "brothers" he has, to defend a tactical bridge point. Miller, inspired by his own mission and Ryan's loyalty stays to fight with him as more men arrive. The sense of pride and strength do not last long, however. The femaining unit, one by one, give their lives for this one person. Cpt. Miller is fataly wounded by the end of the battle, and urges Ryan with one last phrase,"earn this" earn the life you've been given. Make it count. It is ryan's job, as he recalls this story as an old man, standing before Arlington National, to "earn" the gift of life. Ryan makes it home, after a desperate battle for evetyone's lives, and returns to the graves of his fallen comrades with his family, wondering, "have I earnedit yet?"This movie provides an amazing look into the realism of war, the physical and emotional impact. Especially when Omaha beach is stormed. There is a scene where a solider is so wounded, with his guts hanging out, is injected with a large amount of, what I was later told, was morphine. This wasn't to ease his pain, but to kill him. This scene provides a chilling look into warfare, as does the whole movie. And, of course, the ending makes me cry every. single. time.Have I mentioned I love this movie? Ah, I'm getting all nostalgy :)
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