Now You Know: Reactions After Seeing Saving Private Ryan
by By Sunshine, Linda (EDT), Dreamworks Pictures (COR), Kornbluth, Jesse (EDT), Case, Steve (INT), and America Online, Inc. (COR)
Category: Performing Arts , Film , Reference

This inspiring gift "remembrance" book features about 100 selections from the more than 30,000 messages posted on America Online in reaction to seeing Steven Spielberg's powerful film-and gives a new understanding of the men who fought in World War II. This unique remembrance book, illustrated with historical photographs, is a testament both to the movie that has profoundly affected so many lives, and to the power of the online medium, which allows people instant access to one another. Here are people of various ages, races, religions, and political beliefs who all feel that this timeless movie has generated a sea change in how we think about war, war movies, and the men who fought for freedom. Also included are blank lined pages for readers to enter their own reactions. Excerpted from a message in the book: My grandfather, who is a 72-year-old naval veteran of WWII, never really talked about his experience during the war.... Last weekend, we saw 'Saving Private Ryan' together, the whole family. His face wore a look of indifference and doubt. But in the end, he cried. I have never seen my grandfather cry; but on that day he did. We left the movie theater and walked in the rain to our cars and the tears still fell. He had only one comment: 'Now you know how it really was for me...' He has yet to say anything more....