2) Saving Private Ryan
Another groundbreaking achievement in the career of the legendary Steven Spielberg, Saving Private Ryan made huge noise upon release, thanks to the blistering 27 minute sequence that effectively opens the film. Depicting the Omaha Beach assault of June 6th, 1944, as part of the Invasion Of Normandy during World War II, the filmmakers set out to show the horror of war in all its terrifying detail – and they succeeded. But Saving Private Ryan is more than its opening 27 minutes. It is, in fact, a film that inspires us to do more with our lives.
Written by Robert Rodat, the film sees US Army Rangers Captain, John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) and his squad tasked with finding and retrieving a US paratrooper named Private First Class James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon). He is the last surviving of four servicemen brothers, and the top military brass have decided that he should be returned home to his family, before they lose him too.
It’s a mission fraught with danger, and deep resentments quickly surface. The squad question the wisdom of letting this one man go home to safety, while the rest of them are left to dice with death. They also question the wisdom of asking a vast number of men to effectively sacrifice themselves to ensure the future of a stranger. To his credit, Captain Miller proves to be a talented leader, and keeps his group together – despite suffering losses – enough to complete their mission.
It’s a gripping and heart-wrenching film throughout, but here’s where it really hammers home the inspiration. As they finally come upon Private Ryan – in the middle of a battle zone – and explain their mission, they are faced with resentment from him. He doesn’t think it’s fair either, and doesn’t want to shoulder the burden of responsibility for the deaths of all those strangers sent to rescue him. Captain Miller tells him in no uncertain terms – “earn this.”
And there it is. Ryan is us – the future generations, living under the warm, cosy blanket of freedom provided by the countless number of our fellow human beings, who laid down their lives to halt the march of tyranny. Having just witnessed the relentless horror faced by these courageous individuals, the filmmakers do not hesitate in asking us to look at the life we are leading. Is it worthy of that sacrifice?
