Jessa Maureen M.

Carolino 2012 59026 July 17, 2013 Assignment 2 Movie: Saving Private Ryan It was the early hours of June 6th, 1944. The sun was rising, but the clouds kept it from shining. It looked as if a storm was coming. We were at sea. The boats we were riding were filled with soldiers; soldiers who were terrified yet prepared to fight whoever got in our way. I saw land it had walls covering the other side. It was our goal to get to the other side, but I knew it wouldnt be that easy to get through; blood will shed and soldiers will die, it wasnt too much of a surprise since I knew these kinds of battlefields it were the most crucial. The sea wasnt as friendly as I thought it would be. It waved frantically and it made all of us more anxious and tensioned. Some of my friends on board vomited, and their sickness made us realize that battle wont be too soon then. Even before the boats approached land, bullets flew from the sky and killed soldiers on the boats. It was a horrifying scene. Soldiers were shot and anyone who tried to fire back, failed. Bodies fell into the blue sea, but then their bloods painted it red in no time. When we got to land, we hid behind the metal crosses displayed along the shoreline. Once I got to hide behind one, I felt my shoes were filled with sand. They were very fine and they felt good. I almost lost my focus on what was happening. How I was wished that day was peaceful and quiet, that I was with my family instead of the army, that I was relaxing instead of shaking from the horrifying event I was in. But it wasnt, and I thought right then that if I dont move from where I am, then that day wouldnt come true, ever. I took a breath before I took in what has happened. The bullets were still being fired, and the number of dead and injured soldiers increased. I shrieked when I an arm tugged on my left leg. I pulled my leg back, but when I saw he was shot, I quickly took him beside me. He was bleeding, so I covered his injure tightly with a handkerchief I had in my pocket. Ill call for help, so just stay here, do you understand? I shouted to him. But the bombs which exploded and bullets fired might have drowned what I said, so I just left him, knowing that he wouldnt be nodding because he didnt hear what I said. Running across the shoreline would have been the most challenging that day. Everything was a blur. The sand dust were covering my vision, the sharp sounds of bullets fired almost kept me from moving, and the scenes of dying soldiers made me think that I wouldnt be able to get

through this. When I found a paramedic, I quickly told him I needed help. I pointed to where I was before, and got surprised that I was able to run that distance without getting shot. The paramedic gave me a thumbs-up and immediately went to find him. A strong hand kept me from moving, and when I glanced behind me, I saw Captain Miller. Son, I need you to come with me. There is not much left of us, and we need to kill these enemies! I nodded crazily at him, and he pointed to where we were heading. He gave me instructions and let me off. There were still a lot of us without any injuries, but not enough to equalize the number of soldiers behind these walls, so we needed to concentrate and calculate our every move. When we got to the walls, instructions by Captain Miller were given, and all followed his every command. It didnt take long before we destroyed one part of the wall. We got inside and, as quietly as we could, walked our way through. Enemies were all around us, and shooting them back was our only option if we want to make it through alive. Before I knew it, the captains of the enemies had their hands up in surrender and were shot. It might have been the longest day, but the sun hasnt even made its way on top of our heads. The land was as terrible as one could imagine. Dead soldiers scattered across the shoreline, the once blue sea is now red, fires were eating some parts of the shoreline, dust was in the air, and even though the fires ceased, the groaning and crying of the injured soldiers kept the land from being peaceful. It was dreadful. I only had one friend remaining, the rest dead. It was a sad day, and the sadness weighed on me. I couldnt fight the tears that threatened to come out that day, so I just let it out, and cried for the loss of a lot of these soldiers families. Comparing and contrasting: Saving Private Ryan Movie and The Longest Day Novel The movie was able to recreate what Cornelius Ryan had in mind for the novel, and it showed powerful emotions that can capture an audience anytime. The movie was able to define the book from horrific battles to emotional scenes. At some point, the movie was able to portray what the book wasnt able to. The visuals and advanced effects helped a lot, and it pictured powerful scenes that the audience would be having trouble comprehending. When it comes to visualizing what was happening in a particular scene, especially at battles, the movie accomplished it very well compared to the book. Cornelius Ryan was very brief with his descriptions on the scenes, but Spielberg wasnt. Cornelius Ryan was very factual as well, and he didnt reside on describing, for example, how the bullets flew in the air and how bombs exploded by the shoreline. Saving Private Ryan was very helpful in filling in what The Longest Day lacked, and it was definitely the creation of the moment. Saving Private Ryan and The Longest Day are really great masterpieces of their own kinds, and they make a great combination to fill in what the other one lacks.