Guest Blogger: Rachel L1

Saving Private Ryan is debatably the most powerful and devastating war movie of all time. Based on a true story, the film begins in Normandy on Omaha Beach during World War II. Captain John Miller (Tom Hank’s character) and his men land on Omaha Beach and immediately forced into a combat zone. U.S. soldiers were being slaughtered, while others were running towards the shelter of a dune. After a horrific battle, the United States eventually sends torpedoes to eliminate all remaining German defenders. Saving Private Ryan does a tremendous job of presenting the D-Day invasion of Normandy through a soldier’s view. Following the horrendous fight, we learn that two of the four Ryan brothers died in this action, while one perished elsewhere. The Ryan mother was to receive all three telegrams on the same day. The film is about Captain Miller and his team finding and rescuing the fourth Ryan brother, Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), to return home to his mother. The rescuing team is made up of Captain Miller and eight elite, well-trained soldiers. Everyone knows their mission is a public relations exercise, and the question of why Ryan's life is more important than theirs is voiced often, but never quite answered. Hank gives an astounding performance that intrigues the audience both mentally and emotionally. There is no one hero throughout the movie, yet the men come together as a band of brothers. This film is torn from the stereotypical war movie by not falling into the category of heroic tales of glory or different trends such as glamorizing or condemning the war. Saving Private Ryan veers away from the both of these downfalls. Instead of being a heroic tale of glory it is a tale of human courage and sacrifice. The men do not attempt superhuman feats, but show there courage and sacrifice in the line of duty. This man versus war movie is one of the most intense and brutally harsh reality of a D-day remake in history and I personally recommend it, it’s a must see!