 In
Saving Private Ryan, director Steven Spielberg strives
to bring the harsh reality of World War II to light.
A small platoon of men, having survived the horrific
landing at Normandy, are given a task most are unwilling
to undertake. A mother, at home with a small flag
bearing four stars, will be notified of the death
of three of her sons on the same day. The mission
is to locate one Private Ryan (Damon), a paratrooper
whose jump mission was scattered all over the countryside,
and see that he is sent safely home.
 Ranger
Captain Miller (Hanks) heads the rough-around-the-edges
group of soliders, all of whom will also be sent
home if they can live long enough to complete
their assignment. From Private Reiben (Edward
Burns) to sharp shooter Private Jackson (Barry
Pepper), and from Private Caparzo (Vin Diesel)
to T-4 Medic Wade (Giovanni Ribisi), each man
is dealing with the mission is his own way. Probably
the most difficult to understand is Ryan himself,
so willing to serve his country fight that he
is dead set against taking his passage back home.
 Spielberg
definitely puts the horrors of war in your face
with full reenactment of the landing at Normandy
and even goes so far as to use real amputees in
this brutal opening sequence. While this movie
isn't for the faint of heart, it is based on the
true story of the Niland brothers. Speilberg has
been commended by numerous veterans and critics
alike for the realism and authenticity protrayed
in Saving Private Ryan including actor James Doohan,
who's best known for playing Scotty in Star Trek,
and lost the middle finger on his right hand and
was wounded in the leg during the war.
 So
grab your tissues and settle in for the nearly
three hour viewing as you are immersed in the
true price of the world's freedom. I'll guarantee
you'll have a new respect for that grandfather
or uncle who stands a little straighter at the
sound of our National Anthem.
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