Tom Hanks: 10 Movie Moments That Prove His Greatness

6. Captain Miller's Last Stand - Saving Private Ryan

Saving Private Ryan As one of Spielberg's best directed films, Saving Private Ryan also happens to be one of our actor's greatest movie moments. Released in 1998 to resounding critical and commercial success, the film picked up several Academy awards and made over £300 million in worldwide box office sales. And even though Tom Hanks isn't the sole focus of our attention, he doesn't half take our breath away. Playing Captain Miller, Tom Hanks takes us on a heavy-laden trip with his band of soldiers in search of Private Ryan, the fourth and last surviving brother. There are many moments throughout the film where Tom Hanks shines €“ a speech to his company about what his life back home and what the true mission is in light of recent events, as well as the point where he's racked with emotion from reading a letter. But it's the death scene and how he portrays Captain Miller in his final moments that send shivers down our spine. The battle on the bridge is electrifying to watch. And when Miller takes his final stand after seeing the death of many of his comrades, he stumbles to grab a gun from the floor. On his way over, though, the German man €“ captured and released previously by Miller €“ shoots him. Mortally wounded, Captain Miller picks up the gun and shoots the oncoming tank several times. In this moment, Hanks is steely and determined as Miller, shooting until the tank is no more. There's a brief moment where he's succeeded and, in Hanks' expression, we see a mix of relief, disbelief and sadness. And when his last words are spoken to Private Ryan, the delivery is perfectly executed, with a lasting effect €“ chilling to the bone, but most importantly, utterly memorable.
Contributor
Contributor

With a love for postmodern literature and black and white movies, Colette is a stickler for those artistic films with a weird and wonderful vibe. But she also loves her mainstream cinema and will devour any superhero movie like a comic-book nerd. She currently works as a news editor for a gaming website, specialising in all things Mario, and a film aficionado for What Culture.