Thinking activity : War Poetry

Welcome to my blog,

This blog is part of our study. This Thinking activity is based on War Poetry and was assigned by Megha ma'am Department of English MKBU. In this task, we have to find any such regional poem/ Bollywood or Hollywood movies/web series/ Patriotic songs which can be compared to these war poems. and then give a proper explanation and write our views on that in this blog.

For this particular, all poems are based on the war. I choose the movies for this 

1. Schindler's List (1993)

2. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Schindler's List (1993)

Directed by - Steven Spielberg

Based on - Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally

The main character -  Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler

This video is the official trailer for this movie.

Explanation of Movie:- 

"Schindler's List" is a movie directed by Steven Spielberg, released in 1993, and is based on the true story of a German industrialist named Oskar Schindler. The film follows Schindler's journey during World War II as he uses his factory as a means of saving Jewish people from the concentration camps.

At the beginning of the movie, Schindler, played by Liam Neeson, is shown as a wealthy and self-centered businessman who sees an opportunity to profit from the war by employing Jewish workers in his enamelware factory. However, as he witnesses the atrocities committed by the Nazis against the Jews, he begins to sympathize with them and starts to use his influence to save as many as he can. With the help of his accountant, Itzhak Stern, played by Ben Kingsley, Schindler devises a plan to protect his Jewish workers from being sent to concentration camps, by creating a list of names of those who would be transferred to his new factory in Czechoslovakia. By bribing Nazi officials and using his own resources, Schindler saves over 1,100 Jewish people.

Throughout the film, there are numerous emotional scenes that illustrate the horrors of the Holocaust, including the liquidation of the Krakow ghetto and the evacuation of the concentration camps. The movie highlights the bravery and resilience of the Jewish people, who despite the inhumane treatment they received, managed to maintain their dignity and hope.

Overall, "Schindler's List" is a moving and powerful film that portrays one man's struggle to save the lives of many Jewish people during one of the darkest times in human history. It is a story of hope, courage, and compassion that reminds us of the atrocities of the Holocaust and the importance of standing up against injustice.

Ending Scene:-

The ending of "Schindler's List" is a powerful and emotional scene that takes place after the war has ended. Schindler is seen packing up to leave with his wife, and his Jewish workers come to say goodbye and present him with a gift - a ring made from gold fillings that they had secretly saved for him.

Schindler is overcome with emotion and expresses his regret that he could not save more lives. He breaks down and says, "I could have got more out. I could have got more. I don't know. If I'd just... I could have got more."

"I could have got more out. I could have got more. I don't know. If I'd just... I could have got more." - Oskar Schindler

In the final scene, Schindler is seen fleeing the approaching Allied forces and hiding in the mountains with his wife. As the war ends and the Jewish people are liberated, Schindler is seen walking through a crowd of Jewish survivors, dressed in his old Nazi uniform. He pauses, looks at the people he had saved, and then breaks down in tears before leaving.

The movie ends with a shot of the real-life survivors and their descendants visiting Schindler's grave in Jerusalem and placing stones on it as a sign of respect and gratitude.

"Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire." - Itzhak Stern

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Directed by - Steven Spielberg

Written by - Robert Rodat

Main characters - Tom Hanks as John H. Miller: A determined U.S captain suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder

Edward Burns as Richard Reiben: A rebellious soldier

Tom Sizemore as Mike Horvath: Miller's long-time friend and second-in-command

This video is the official trailer of this movie.

Explanation of Movie:- 

"Saving Private Ryan" is a movie directed by Steven Spielberg, released in 1998, that depicts the experiences of a group of soldiers during the D-Day invasion of Normandy in World War II. The movie centers around a mission to save a single soldier, Private James Francis Ryan, who is the last surviving brother of four soldiers.

The film opens with a powerful and realistic depiction of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. The scene is intense and graphic, and shows the chaos and brutality of war as soldiers fight to gain a foothold on the beaches of Normandy.

 After the initial battle, the film follows a group of soldiers led by Captain John H. Miller, played by Tom Hanks, as they receive a mission to find Private Ryan and bring him back to his family. Private Ryan, played by Matt Damon, is a paratrooper who was dropped behind enemy lines in Normandy and is believed to be in imminent danger. As they make their way through enemy territory, the soldiers face numerous challenges and obstacles, including battles with German soldiers and internal conflicts among the group. The mission to save Private Ryan becomes a test of the soldiers' values and a reminder of the human cost of war.

Overall, "Saving Private Ryan" is a powerful and realistic depiction of the brutality and heroism of war, and the importance of brotherhood and sacrifice in times of crisis. The movie portrays the realities of war and the impact it has on those who fight, while also highlighting the bravery and resilience of those who put their lives on the line to protect their country and their comrades.

"Someday we might look back on this and decide that saving Private Ryan was the one decent thing we were able to pull out of this whole god-awful, shitty mess." - Sergeant Horvath

Ending Scene:-

The ending scene of "Saving Private Ryan" is a powerful and emotional moment that takes place many years after the events of the film.

The scene opens with an elderly James Francis Ryan, played by Matt Damon, visiting the grave of Captain John H. Miller, played by Tom Hanks, in a military cemetery in Normandy. As he stands at the grave, he remembers the sacrifice that Miller and his fellow soldiers made to save him, and begins to cry.

The scene then flashes back to the present day, where Ryan is surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. They ask him if he is OK, and he responds by asking them if he was a good man. He says he tries to live a good life because he knows that so many others gave their lives to give him a chance.

As the camera pulls back, the American flag waving in the background, the film ends with a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the sacrifices made by those who fought and died for their country. It is a poignant and moving conclusion to the film, highlighting the importance of honoring those who gave their lives for the greater good.

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