A wonderful ending to a very special film. Still the most moving part of the film for me is the opening sequence at the normandy cemetary.

"Earn this"

Even though I've seen this movie half a dozen times, I still cry when Miller is killed. It just seems so unfair after all they've been through. And when Ryan is crying at his grave, and there are thousands of crosses stretching into the distance, as far as the eye can see -- that is the saddest part of all. That's when I not only cry for the fictional Miller, but all the real men who are buried beneath those perfect white crosses.

It's moving and frustrating all at once, because, well, Miller went through all that with his men for this one guy and he doesn't make it! The part that got to me the most was when Miller was obviously on his last leg, but he still musters the strength to fire his pistol at a German tank's gas tank and manages to destroy it. To me, that's the ultimate capture of the spirit of Keep on keepin' on.

I think I might get killed for this one- but the first half of SPR was much better than the contrived Hollywood ending with Hanks and the fade-to-the-old-man. For me, the film could have ended just before that moment. . .still, it is a solid film.

The first time I watched this movie, it was so shocking to watch him die. Of all the wonderful characters in the film, he was the last person I expected to not make it. Tom Hanks was fantastic as usual and although this scene isn't as gripping as the first, it is very emotional.