Saving Private Ryan: A Test of Character (Reviews)

By Clinton R. LeFort

I. Moral CharacterSaving another man's life in the face of death requires moral character (Gabbard 131). When soldiers give their lives for the sake of another, they teach a silent lesson of morality and virtue. Their actions say that the war is about "building character and not about brutality and stupidity" (Gabbard 132). Rather than putting the emphasis on death and dying, the hero puts the emphasis on virtue and life. Captain Miller fights for freedom and valor. In the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan virtue and heroism seem to be void of any meaning. Steven Spielberg paints the war as ugly and horrific in the opening minutes of the movie. As the pressure of war sets in on the small group of soldiers led by Captain Miller both the virtuous and vicious characteristics of the officers are revealed. A sharp contrast is made between Captain Miller and Corporal Upham; while Captain Miller ultimately faces the enemy fire in order to bring down the enemy tank, Corporal Upham fails to pull the trigger on the enemy only an inch away. Captain Miller remains a stable model of determination and courage under fire while Corporal Upham shows an increasing growth of fear and lack of nerve in the face of death and ill-treatment. Virtuous human characteristics wereoften spoken about by the noted WW II historian Stephen Ambrose. Ambrose was person most responsible for the view of heroism in the movie Saving Private Ryan (Gabbard 132). Ambrose is the author of around 200 hundred works on World War II. Ambrose has a unique style when dealing with World War II stories. He obtains his war facts by interviewing WW II veterans and shares their "anecdotal accounts" (Gabbard 132). Ambrose also shares the "catalogue of horrific and the antiheroic aspects of war" (Gabbard 132). Captain Miller and a small group looking for Private Ryan show the human side of being a soldier. These war stories sometimes show the "criminal incompetence of those who made command decisions" (Gabbard 132). WW II veterans base Ambrose's style of writing about WW II on private recollections of WW II events. Ambrose is noted for characterizing the "industriousness of American soldiers" (Gabbard 132). Ambrose being a highly respected WW II historian was asked to a private screening of Saving Private Ryan by Steven Spielberg. Ambrose was "so affected by the film's realism he crawled under the seat and asked the projectionist to shut down for a minute" (Gabbard 132-133). Ambrose says Saving Private Ryan is "the greatest because it rings the truest" (Kaltenbach). Ambrose served as a consultant on the movie. Ambrose was given "veto power by Spielberg over any scene he found objectionable" (Kaltenbach) but Ambrose never needed to use it. Ambrose's greatest comment about Saving Private Ryan is:"In 1964-'65, we sent young men off to Vietnam with images of John Wayne in their minds. The next time we send young men off to war, they're going to have images of Tom Hanks in mind, and they're going to have a much better idea of [what combat is]. There is not an experience like combat. It is not glorious; it is not romantic" (Kaltenbach).

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1520708521
• ISBN13: 9781520708522
• Release Date: February 2017
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 126 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.3" x 6.0"