re: OK lugnuts, Saving Private Ryan on biggie next week

quote:

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The theory kind of falls apart when he shoots a surrendering prisoner at point blank range ten minutes later.

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The same prisoner Captain Miller had blindfolded and released after the engagement where Wade was killed and the same German who ultimately shot Captain Miller on the bridge while Miller was trying to retrieve the hot explosives detonator.

It is suggested in the film that Upham knew this because of his close proximity to that soldier during the final fight at the bridge just before the air support arrived and the lead elements of the 29th Div. showed up. If Upham didn't actually know he was the man who shot Miller, he certainly knew he was the released prisoner then fighting with German units that had picked him up exactly like Pvt. Riben had predicted when Captain Miller ordered him released. Especially when the German recognized Upham and appealed to his conscience and humanity calling him by name.

Upham shot only that prisoner, the one he treated with compassion while the prisoner dug his own grave and who Miller let go. The rest of the Germans who surrendered to him Upham let go.

Complex psychological, moral, and ethical drama played out in the character of Pvt. Upham. The actor portraying him was award worthy IMO. He was also pitch perfect as Dicky Bennet in Justified.