Over a few centuries, post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) has been known by plenty of names: at first, it stood as “irritable heart” during the American Civil War; later during the First World War, the symptoms were called “shell shock” or “hysteria”. When the Second World War and the War in Korea occurred, the symptoms were labeled as “war neurosis”, “battle fatigue”, and “exhaustion.” Lastly, during the War in Vietnam, “Post Vietnam Syndrome” remained as the last occurrence of names given before PTSD was officially branded and categorized as a war mental illness. (Coleman 19) Although Hollywood has created numerous of films regarding WWII, Spielberg’s film, Saving Private Ryan, a war film praised for the realism of violence and battles—most
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Saving Private Ryan presents an accurate portrayal of combat stress and PTSD symptoms caused by warfare, which is significant because it demonstrates the sudden and long term effects war can have on people, as well as how war can alter the mindset of veterans of the past and current …show more content…
In the early overcast morning, American troops gather in formation as they are riding to shore in the “Higgins Boats”. The camera pans backwards presenting a small platoon of soldiers: two of them are vomiting while the others are stuck with fear and nerves, which are glued to their faces. In the background, several of these boats are shown advancing to shore. As they encroach the shoreline, the boats ramp begins to open up immediately exposing American forces to German gunfire. German MG’s (machine guns) instantaneously shoot one of the boats while they were opening, annihilating nearly everyone on the boat. As a result, on other boats, soldiers jump over the sides into the water to avoid direct gunfire. But, a few mistakenly drown due to carrying too much equipment or not being able to detach their equipment quick enough. Moments later, Captain Miller finally arrives to the shore and sit’s there in disbelief. As the sound fades, the camera shows Miller looking at a variety of horrors. At first he sees a man hiding in a panic and crying. The camera afterwards scans to three soldiers, one of them carrying gas canisters on his back. Seconds later, the canisters are shot and a hell of fire arises, instantly catching those three soldiers on fire. Lastly, the camera pans towards a person that doesn’t have an arm. Miller watches the guy as he scurries, searching for his arm until
Saving Private Ryan presents an accurate portrayal of combat stress and PTSD symptoms caused by warfare, which is significant because it demonstrates the sudden and long term effects war can have on people, as well as how war can alter the mindset of veterans of the past and current …show more content…
In the early overcast morning, American troops gather in formation as they are riding to shore in the “Higgins Boats”. The camera pans backwards presenting a small platoon of soldiers: two of them are vomiting while the others are stuck with fear and nerves, which are glued to their faces. In the background, several of these boats are shown advancing to shore. As they encroach the shoreline, the boats ramp begins to open up immediately exposing American forces to German gunfire. German MG’s (machine guns) instantaneously shoot one of the boats while they were opening, annihilating nearly everyone on the boat. As a result, on other boats, soldiers jump over the sides into the water to avoid direct gunfire. But, a few mistakenly drown due to carrying too much equipment or not being able to detach their equipment quick enough. Moments later, Captain Miller finally arrives to the shore and sit’s there in disbelief. As the sound fades, the camera shows Miller looking at a variety of horrors. At first he sees a man hiding in a panic and crying. The camera afterwards scans to three soldiers, one of them carrying gas canisters on his back. Seconds later, the canisters are shot and a hell of fire arises, instantly catching those three soldiers on fire. Lastly, the camera pans towards a person that doesn’t have an arm. Miller watches the guy as he scurries, searching for his arm until