From Sea To Shining Sea

Rating: 10/10 (13 March 2004)

To many the story of Saving Private Ryan starts with the landings at Normandy and the incredibly realistic depiction of D-Day June 6,1944,however there is first the subtle and unexpected deliverance of James Ryan to the headstone of Captain John Miller whereby the story is told of a time past when something of what we love was lost forever.The emotional place where this very fine movie goes is to our ability here today to talk to each other as though this was merely a motion picture and not the roll call for our honored dead.Though we are through James Ryans eyes taken back to when Captain Millers company is approaching the beach head at Omaha in one of those Higgins boats we are drawn into perhaps one of the most incredible movie scenes ever done.It is almost to terrible to elaborate,however thats the way it is.I do not feel this was meant to be an anti-war theme however if you want to know what it was like or perhaps what it might be like this is a good film to watch.This is a no-holds barred look at that action.For the record,this landing zone was called Omaha,and I believe it was the most difficult of the 5 landing zones.However we did establish a beach head and as the dates of history will show within 1 year we were to meet with our Allies in Berlin.This is a unforgettable war movie that should not be missed.I will express only a reservation about some of the attempts at a protest position against war.The inability to properly put a prisoner of war permanently out of the action was not I believe worthy and when that big bad Nazi did that deed to kill one of our guys and was not killed as a result was cowardice under action.I think that was pretty bad and in fact cost us because he could of engaged the enemy before the enemy even went any where near the staircase.Some of the emotional purges seem very much over the top but it seems to provide a very convincing ability to convey the deadly seriousness of what we were involved in,when a voice says to Captain Miller,"thats quite a view,"and Miller says "yes it is,"That is when we get a view of what is forever lost,a sacrifice which on the field at Gettysburg,Pa Abraham Lincoln said that these honored dead should not have died in vain but gave there full measure so that we may increase our devotion and know a new beginning in defense of the republic.The banter is hard to predict but perhaps that was then this is now,however the final battle scene is hard to handle that was a very demanding challenge and boy did things heat up.Excellent war time footing and you dont loose concentration.I actually thought that If I could we would want God to know that we love each other for the bravery,honor,and life that we are being asked to provide so this Private James Ryan might know a future,and his decendents as well.If you had paid attention Jim Ryans family was there, children and all.A job well done Captain Miller,Thank You.To you Rangers of the Omaha Landings,my heart.