Marita Padgett

I first watched this movie in the theater in 1999. My father, all of his brothers and brothers-in-law, and 2 of my mother’s brothers served in both Europe and the Pacific in WWII. From the very first moment, as the elderly man searches the graves at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, this movie grabbed my heart and carried it through the intensity of what my heroes, my dad and uncles, lived through in those years. I pretty much sobbed through the entire experience, seeing the vulnerability and the strength in every soldier, visualizing my loved ones in each situation. The acting was completely accurate, demonstrating the fear, anger, honor and compassion that was exemplified by the Americans in that war. Not perfect, but good men serving the greater good with dignity and courage. There is no other movie that portrays the truth as this movie does; I have been disgusted and insulted by films that show our soldiers as despicable and perverted scum who have no morals or integrity whatsoever. Those movies are filthy lying trash. This movie remains one of my favorite films ever made. From the story to the cinematography to the sets, as well as all of the actors who totally outdid themselves, you owe it to yourself to watch this film. The moment when Jimmy Ryan looks at his wife and asks her if he is a good man is heart wrenching. The fact that this movie did not win the Oscar for best picture (a totally stupid and worthless one did) is one of the examples of how truly great films are disregarded by Hollywood. If you have any interest in the subject of WWII, or you have family members who served, this will bring them closer to you than ever before. It is not just a story, it’s an experience that will open your eyes to the greatness of America's fighting men.