The German, while
digging graves for the dead American soldiers, pleads for his life, insults
Hitler, and praises America all in one desperate breath. In this instant all of
my interviewees felt the opposing emotions of hatred as well as a desire of
mercy for this German that so clearly does not stand a chance. The viewer also
feels a reluctant sense of pride in the young translator’s sense of right as he
repeatedly tells his fellow soldiers that to kill this man after his surrender
would not be right. Saving Private Ryan could arguably be called one of the most
bloody movies ever produced. But it is not a pointless violence as is the case
in horror movies that people go see everyday.
It is true that the violence in
this movie is meant to shock, but is also meant to educate, and to make the
viewer appreciate the patriotism of all the American soldiers that have died to
protect the United States of America from madmen like Adolph Hitler. Steven
Spielberg has chosen a different angle in the making of this movie than is
normally taken. He chose not to portray the crimes against the Jews, but rather
to applaud the brave efforts of the soldiers that essentially won the war and
destroyed the Nazi government. He reminds every American that many men have died
protecting the rights that they often take for granted every day. Saving Private
Ryan is a movie that should make every American realize that Memorial Day is
more than a day off. Critical Websites: www.rinkworks.com/movies/m/saving.private.ryan.1998.shtml Reviewer: Sam
(ordinary person) www.msnbc.com/news/181970.asp#BODY Alissa Quart (movie critic)
