I watched 'Saving Private Ryan' for the nth time today. I couldn't resist the temptation of watching the movie from the first scene to the last. The manner in which this movie portrays the dilemma of a soldier is simply inimitable- a scene in the 11th minute (or so of the movie shows how a young recruit is taking shelter behind a barrier, unable to gather the courage to step out into the line of fire. The second dilemma faced by the party led by Captain Miller is in respect of engaging and neutralising a German machine-gun position- Miller chooses to attempt to neutralise the position for he does not want any other party of his countrymen caught by surprise. Miller faces yet another dilemma- whether to shoot the German soldier who was a part of the very party holding the machine-gun position responsible for fatally injuring Wade; or let him go. But perhaps the best part of this movie is one towards the end when unsuccessful in his attempt to get the bridge blown up and shot several times Captain Miller is immobilised. On seeing a tank approaching he picks up his revolver and continues firing at the tank until a P-51 Mustang shoots it down. The true spirit of war, the naked reality of a battle, the dilemma of a young soldier, the indefatigable spirit of Captain Miller and so on- to cut the long story short it is perhaps the best movie based on war ever made and needless to say this movie is a testimony to the versatility of Tom Hanks's acting.
