As a PR effort by the US military, a commando unit is sent to find and then bring home Private Ryan (Matt Damon) after his two brothers were killed in action.

"Oh my God I have never felt so depressed in all of my life."

"Shocking, harrowing, and vicious."

"A film to watch every once in a while to get the point of what freedom is. Much is said and written about democracy and freedom but this is the price that a generation paid for us today. A remarkable movie with an important message."

Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), once found, doesn't want to go home. He wants to stay and fight on with his new brothers.

So the rescuing team join in the fight, and most are killed.

Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks), whilst about to die, tells Ryan to "earn this."

The movie ends with an elderly Ryan and his family back at Miller's grave (the movie started with him walking towards the grave). Ryan is overcome with emotion and gets his wife to tell him he has a good life.

Not a dry eye in the house.

Elderly Ryan to Miller's grave stone:

"My family is with me today. They wanted to come with me. To be honest with you, I wasn't sure how I'd feel coming back here. Every day I think about what you said to me that day on the bridge. And I've tried to live my life the best I could. I hope that was enough. I hope that at least in your eyes, I've earned what all of you have done for me. "

This movie is serious stuff, with a serious message.

It is a tribute to those who died in the Second World War, a truly brave group of people who gave their lives so that we can be free today.