Saving Private Ryan

by Andrew Gallardo

Although the very thought of war terrifies me, stories of war remains to be my favourite theme in terms of movies and literature. This is so because the violent character of war reduces the being into a “human”, that is, to its very basic instincts that remains to be my favourite subject. Surprisingly though, the basic instinct of a “human” is not only survival, but also care and compassion for the Others- both in their “Brother in arms” and also to their enemies.

There are a lot of movies and literature portraying such. But perhaps, it is more embodied in the movie “Saving Private Ryan” (1998) which remains to be one of my favourite movies of all time. The movie covers a lot of philosophical issues, one of which is related to the “totalization” made by war to the people. During times of war, a soldier is treated as mere assets of the state, reduced to their very limited skills and knowledge. Hence, thousands of fallen soldiers can still translate into victory for the country if the skills and knowledge of those soldiers had been fully utilized. Soldiers, furthermore, are viewed merely as numbers. They are separated in troops of definite numbers. A death of a single soldier might mean nothing for it is “just a single one”.

It is due to these unethical ideas that the movie “Saving Private Ryan” was made. Private Ryan is the remaining brother of the 3 brothers who died in battle in different war zones. To ease the pain that the mother of the 4 brothers would feel upon receipt of the telegram informing her of the death of her 3 sons, the general commanded 8 soldiers, including one of his boldest and strategic lieutenants, to search for Private Ryan even on areas that is still invaded by the Nazi Germans. During their operations, they end up spending their evenings talking to each other about their personal lives. One private talked about how he longs to see his mother again after his long separation from her due to his military duties. He ended up crying after regretting all those times that he pretended to be sleeping just so he can avoid the nagging that he gets from his mom. They also talk about their loving memories of their brother in arms who passed away. This is contrary to the war-craze train of thought that soldiers are mere machines made to serve the purpose of their country.

But perhaps what intrigues me is the willingness of the state to sacrifice 8 soldiers, including one skilled lieutenant, medic and translator, just to save a private’s life. This is another idea that stands contrary to the numerical value put into a soldier. Furthermore, at first, the 8 soldiers put into this quest complain of the equity principle behind this. Knowing that they might venture into territories even conquered by the enemies, it is almost like a suicidal mission. Yet, at the end of the movie, they end up deciding to protect the life of “Private Ryan” for it is “the only good thing that they may do in the middle of the war”. On this last part, I could not help but remember the concept of “The Law of the Other” wherein the I goes to another not for his benefit or gain, but purely out of compassion or responsibility for the Other.