Where did we find such men?

Rating: 10/10 (28 September 1998)

"Saving Private Ryan" provides, in stark relief, a portrait of the American infantryman in World War II. For those looking for a whiney anti-war film in the Vietnam tradition, this isn't it. The men portrayed in "Saving Private Ryan" are American soldiers of the 1940's who realize that, like it or not, they stand between the dark night of Nazi tyranny and freedom for millions. They have truly gone in harm's way. In case you are still unfamiliar with the story, Private Ryan is the sole survivor of four brothers who are serving in the military. Two are killed in the Normandy invasion, a third has been killed a short time earlier at New Guinea in the Pacific Theater. Army Chief of Staff George Marshall is so trouble by the prospect that another family will lose all of its sons to the war, that he orders a small unit of eight men to find the surviving Ryan. Marshall is haunted by the deaths of the five Sullivan brothers who all perished when the ship on which they served went down in the Pacific. Marshall is clearly not doing this as an Army publicity stunt. A letter he posseses which was written by Abraham Lincoln to a mother who made a similar sacrifice during the War Between the States also spurs Marshall into action. Ryan parachuted into Normandy with the 101st Airborne Division the night before the beach actions and, thus, will be difficult to find. The men on the rescue mission are just guys. Nothing special about them. The thing that makes them stand out is their determination to just do their job. They're not sure why Ryan is so special, but they intend to find out or die trying.
This is Tom Hanks at his best. His portrayal of a World War II officer is never better than when he gives his men their last minute instructions in the landing craft. He ends by saying, "And I'll see you on the beach." His quiet confidence is remarkable and accurate.
Barry Pepper is excellent as the unit's Tennessee born and bred sniper and Giovanni Ribisi is outstanding as the medic. If you're looking for an anti-war "message" movie, this one isn't it. It's about duty, honor and the type of men who stood on the ramparts during one of the world's darkest hours. After seeing this, go thank a World War II veteran. Plenty of them traded their tomorrows so we could have today.