Steven SpielbergÆs Saving Private Ryan covers the action of the landing of US soldiers at Omaha Beach just after the invasion of Normandy by allied forces. The initial battle scene at the movieÆs opening represents spectacular filmmaking and realism so heightened by innovative cinematography and sound effects that the viewer becomes involved in the action rather than merely observing others in action. As the monstrous carnage and chaos of the opening battle scene ends, a soldier lies dead face down in the sand. On his back the viewer sees the word ôRyanö stenciled on his backpack. This fade shot delivers the main plot thread for the entire film. Captain John Miller, leader of a regiment that suffered numerous casualties and wounded on the beach, discovers he must assemble a crew of seven others to find Private James Ryan. Private Ryan represents the fourth and only remaining brother in the Ryan family. Captain Miller gathers a culturally diverse crew of seven other men and attempts to find Ryan deep in enemy territory.
While the film unflinchingly depicts the horrors of war, Captain Miller symbolizes a torn individual. Unlike the conventional ôJohn Wayneö hero, Miller ponders the validity of war and the sacrifices it demands. He questions the man war makes him and cannot determine a value system in the midst of warÆs realities. Eight men seek Private Ryan. Only two men survive. Along the way they all question the value of life and the meaning involved among the sacrifices demanded by war. Miller questions the mission he views as more public relations campaign than heroic quest. At one point he exclaims: ôRyan better be worth it. He better go home and cure some disease or invent a new, long-lasting light bulbö (Spielberg 1998). Before Captain Miller dies, he tells Ryan, ôEarn this. Earn itö (Spielberg 1998). Nevertheless the viewer and Ryan remain puzzled in the face of such valuations of sacrifice. Who ...