The convenient thing about film is that it provides us civilians with a way to experience the carnage of war without risk. And since seeing Private Ryan and Apocalypse Now, my views on the reality of war have changed dramatically. The pledges in my fraternity used to interview older brothers as part of initiation, and one of the things they used to ask me was, "If you could go back to any time in history, where would you go?" I always replied that I would like to have stormed the beach at Normandy so I could kill some Nazis and be part of the largest invasion force in history. After watching the Normandy scene in SPR, I felt like a complete idiot. Having never been in combat, it really opened my eyes to how horrid it is. Yeah, I knew getting shot is bad (duh) and that a lot of your buddies died, and it was hard and that veterans always deserved respect. But hey, in combat, you're fighting for your country, right? Any doubts or pain would be rectified by the greater good, right? And if you died it was your time, right? Boy was I stupid. I guess I had no point of reference for something so unbelivably horrid.
I guess this sounds pretty juvenile and stupid to combat vets, but there's only so much a 19 year old with no military experience can grasp (I was 19 when it came out). I feel no embarrasment in saying these things because I think it only heightens the sacrifice endured and the respect earned by veterans. But I feel a little shame because a lot of the boys on Omaha were only 17 or 18. They grew up long before I did.
I didn't join the military, but always thought that I would go if called, without question. Those scenes gave me a glimpse into what a real sacrifice it is. I guess I never envisioned the blood, exploding chests, dismembered limbs, heads blowing off, guts hanging out, men crying for their mothers after they'd been cut in half, etc. SPR really woke me up. The Longest Day it wasn't.
My points had no intention of disagreeing with the VALUES of the film, which were spectacularly rendered (it brought to mind The Rules of Engagement, another great Hollywood PRO-military movie), and maybe I should have been more clear about that.
With the insights given on WWS, I will definitely enjoy it more on the next viewing. I also fully intend to read the book version (after I'm done with The 6 Day War by Michael Oren, killer read).