Saving Private Ryan opening cemetery scene

Steven Spielberg and John Williams have you weeping within 3 minutes of the start of this film. Masterful.

[cardinalRG]

Most critics felt that this movie’s beginning and ending were tacked on, out of place. They were wrong. Spielberg was making two points—first, that those who went through World War II were still around, among the old folks around us. The movie honors not only those who perished in the war, and had died since its end, but also those who were still with us.

Second, notice that the man’s family walks behind him, separated, which symbolizes that while they support him, he is alone in the direct remembrance of something they’ll never go through. It’s a brilliant, meaningful touch.

[bigtoad]

My dad served in WW2. Took him six months to relearn how to walk again after being blown out of his Sherman. I joined the navy in a feeble attempt to honor his memory. Love you dad! We will meet again..

[guillaumek]

I'm french, and i remember when i was a kid i wanted to see this movie. One evening of June, my dad allowed me to watch it with him. I felt uncomfortable when he suddenly started to cry at this scene, i didn't really understand what was going on. He said: "These were Americans. All these men, that we don't know, died so we can be free and have a normal life". I'm 30 now, and it's my turn to cry at the scene and feel the heavy weight of eternal gratitude.

[williampurvis]

The fact the French dedicated this part of their land in respect of how many died gives me the chills. I hope one day I will make the trip to Normandy and see these graves for myself, and make an attempt to read each name that is put on the graves. It’s the smallest thing I could do anyway.

[gkm]

Three minutes and fifteen seconds and only one word of dialog . . . "Dad". Absolutely brilliant. A real lesson for today's directors and cinematographers. Sometimes less is more.

[RetroRichie]

When the camera pans back in the cemetery to reveal the endless memorial field. You just cant hold back the tears. This Movie is so powerful. Lest we forget...

[Armo]

Saving Private Ryan is one of those films you need to watch once a year

[Scatman]

This was the greatest generation. They saved the world, they must never be forgotten.

[dexterellis]

I imagine that this was Ryan's first visit back to France since 1944. His memories totally overwhelm him.

[OgNightcrawler]

every time he falls to his knees I always get watery eyed. truly a tear jerker indeed. rip to those brave men who fought in in ww2

[jakethemuss]

The greatest generation. God Bless them. They fought for our freedom.

[PrimalElf]

One of the greatest war movies of all time
Thank you Steven Spielberg

[georgeofhamilton]

People seem to forget about the twist in "Saving Private Ryan": People assume that this old man in the cemetery is Capt. Miller—unless they notice the 101st Airborne Division pin on his jacket. It's only at the end, when Miller dies, that we realize that this old man is Pvt. Ryan.

[thomasmorel]

I was born in Normandy. 20 miles from this cemetery. There are no word to describe what I feel when I saw him walking and that you saw all the crosses. All those young men who gave their life.
An infinite gratitude to all those who fought to give back our freedom.

[charles]

When you’re a vet this scene hits you extra hard. To visit the grave of someone you served with who inspired you.

[DeltaSniperZRR]

If you can, you must visit just once in your life this cemetery, and all the other cemeteries in Normandy. I visited almost every military cemetery in Normandy a few years back. American, British, Canadian, German and some others, to pay respect and see all those graves of brave men with the age of 16 till around 40 years old, fighting and dying for their country.

[brettfavreify]

I think this opening scene is the best scene in the movie. If this doesn't put a lump in your throat on what that generation

[ruslanbutsenko]

These soldiers protected America and made history.They will never be forgotten
Thankyou for your service!!

[kitchentrout]

This scene was shot so well. The camera zooming in on old Ryan's face summarizes the whole movie. The look on his face. He'd seen horrible things no one should have to see and had witnessed the true darkness and evil of humanity in his younger years. One of the greatest films of all time.

[darkphoenix]

I just visited the D-Day cemetery this week. I am becoming a soldier soon and I felt the awe, silence, sadness, but pride when walking in that cemetery. Not many people from the U.S. get to see this. That is sacred ground. I feel the aura to this day and it is something I will never forget.

EDIT: I will be enlisting in 6 weeks or so.
EDIT 2: I am swearing in the Army in a couple days and will be training at Ft. Jackson.
EDIT 3: I am now in the 101st Airborne Division. The same division on his chest. Who knew. I am proud to be serving with a band of brothers and a legacy.