It isn't WWII, but "Glory" is a wonderful Civil War film---well written, great acting and a good mix of action and character arcs

A note on the "surrendering" "Germans" - They WERE in German uniforms but they were speaking Czech saying "We are not German, we are Czech, we didnt kill anyone" - spielberg did this to give a nod to the 1000's of Czechs that were "impressed" into German service on the Atlantic Wall.

Blackhawk Down (true story), Hacksaw Ridge (true story), 13 Hours (true story), We Were Soldiers (true story)...

"The cemetery in the beginning of Saving Private Ryan is the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France:
The cemetery is the largest allied burial ground in Normandy and honors American soldiers who died in Europe during World War II. It's located on the site of the former Saint Laurent battlefield cemetery and covers 172.5 acres. The cemetery contains 9,388 gravesites, including those of two of the Niland brothers, who may have inspired the character Private Ryan."

You are the first reactor I have seen that has shown sympathy when it comes to the scene where the French parents are trying to get the Americans to take their children. So many reactors who, if they comment on that part, have said things along the lines of, “That’s just stupid” “Why would you do that” or “I would never do that to my child.” I’m not saying these other reactors are bad people, but it goes to show how far removed from the horrors of war most of us are, because if anyone could possibly have it worse than the soldiers, it’s the civilians who are caught in the crossfire. Thank you for that little moment. ❤️

He says Band of Brothers was hard to watch sometimes.

Saving Private Ryan-“Hold my beer.”

All of those "balloons" on the beach, that you asked about, are called "barrage balloons."  They are sent aloft and tethered to a stationary object.  They have thick steel guy-wires holding them in place.  They are used to prevent enemy aircraft from flying low along the beach and shooting at troops.

When Captain Miller says to Ryan, “Earn this…”, he’s talking to all of us who’ve benefited from their sacrifice

“We’re not here to do the decent thing, we’re here to follow fucking orders!”
The most cold blooded line Tom Hanks delivered in any of his movies.

"Every man I kill, the further away from home I feel."
This is the key line of the movie. Captain Miller knows that the war is eating away at his humanity.

Cheers, Canada. We remember you at Juno beach. Thanks for being family with us.

These couple are tougher than woodpecker lips, They didn't shed a single tear.

Barrage Balloons were used to protect ground troops from enemy aircraft that would come to strafe the beaches. These balloons had steel cables attached to them that presented a hazard to enemy aircraft.

Lincoln's letter to Mrs. Bixby is considered to be one of the purest examples of the English language every written.

People don't understand a very simple truth about soldiers at war.   No matter what mission you are on you are in danger of dying.  Every mission contributes to winning the war.  Saving one soldier is no more dangerous than any other mission.   As Hanks says 'We are here to win the war.'

For history nerds, there is a spoiler in the first cemetery scene that tells you the older man is Ryan and not Captain Miller.

He is wearing a "Screaming Eagle" pin of the 101st Airborne - and Ryan is the only major cast member who was a member of the 101st.

All of Captain Miller's squad were Rangers and wouldn't wear that pin.

Spielberg told the actors that the movie was not about having fun or just another action movie.  He wanted to portray the raw horrors of war and the emotion.  He even had the Actors camp out with rations for a few days to really let them get a feel of what their role was going to be, mentally prepare the role and really get into character.  Spielberg wanted the movie to connect with veterans.  One veteran said.. "The movie was as close as you will get to the horrors of that war and that he captured the emotion perfectly.". ❤❤

On many lists of most disturbing war films is "Come and See" (1985) which depicts the brutal Nazi occupation of Belarus during World War II.

All my uncles were either at Omaha beach, in the 101st Airborne (Screaming Eagles) of in the Merchant Marines at sea. My dad was in California preparing to go ashore in Japan but they dropped the atomic bomb so the war was over. My uncle Paul was a short Italian who landed at Omaha Beach and his landing craft was short so he jumped out and sank to the bottom. a tall friend from Iowa pulled him out and saved his life. That friend later got shot in the head by a sniper. My Uncle Johnny was in the 82nd then 101st Airborne. He was stuck at Bastogne during Christmas of 1944. This was the Greatest Generation and Spielberg showed all the true emotions of that these men and their families felt.

“Platoon” starring Charlie Sheen and “Casualties of war” starring Michael J Fox for the Vietnam war movies!!