Saving Private Ryan (1998)

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Steven Spielberg Director previously directed Amistad

World War II film that chronicles a squad under the command of John H. Miller, who's sent to rescue James Ryan, the last of four brothers when three are killed all in the same week. Risking their lives and sneaking behind the enemy lines to bring him home.
Trivia:

All the actors of the film underwent grueling, Army Training except Matt Damon so that the actors would truly despise him like their characters do in the film.

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Quote: Private Jackson

What I mean by that, sir, is if you was to put me and this here sniper rifle anywhere up to and including one mile from Adolf Hitler... with a clean line of sight... Pack your bags, fellas. War's over.

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Writers
Cast
Tom Hanks Capt. John H. Miller
Tom Sizemore Sgt. Mike Horvath
Edward Burns Pvt. Richard Reiben
Barry Pepper Pvt. Daniel Jackson
Adam Goldberg Pvt. Stanley Mellish
Vin Diesel Pvt. Adrian Caparzo
Giovanni Ribisi T-5 Medic Irwin Wade
Jeremy Davies Cpl. Timothy P. Upham
Matt Damon Pvt. James Francis Ryan
Ted Danson Capt. Fred Hamill
See Full Credits

Overview 

Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 war film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Robert Rodat. The film takes place during World War II, more specifically, during the Normandy Invasion. The film boasts an impressive cast which includes Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Vin Diesel and Ted Danson.  
 

Creation 

Saving Private Ryan was directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Robert Rodat. The idea for the film came to Rodat, in 1994, while admiring a war monument dedicated to four brothers who lost their lives during the American Civil War. Rodat decided to write a similar story that would take place during World War II. Rodat's script was given to film producer Mark Gordon. Tom Hanks was brought on to play the film's lead and legendary director Steven Spielberg was tasked with directing the film. Saving Private Ryan was loosely based on the story of the Niland brothers--four brothers who served in World War II.  
 

Plot Summary 

Saving Private Ryan opens with what is ostensibly a World War II veteran visiting the Normandy American Cemetery and Museum with his family. The film then jumps to June 6, 1944, the day of the Normandy invasion. American soldiers are ambushed by German infantry men as they attempt to land on the beaches of Omaha. It is here that we are first introduced to the film's main protagonist, Captain John H. Miller. Miller successfully leads a group infiltrating soldiers into the German controlled area.  
  
Captain John H. Miller 
Captain John H. Miller 
The film then briefly focuses its attention on U.S. General George Marshall. Marshall learns that three men--all brothers--have lost their lives. The fourth brother, Private First Class James Francis Ryan, is still alive and fighting somewhere in Normandy France. Marshall then decides to send Private Ryan home to his mother.  
 
Following the successful invasion of Normandy, Captain Miller is tasked with finding Private Ryan. Miller assembles a team that will help him successfully find the Private whose whereabouts are unclear. The group then head to Neuville where they discover a platoon from the same airborne division as Ryan. The group is attacked by a sniper who shoots and kills Private Caparzo. Jackson is able to spot and kill the sniper but not before Caparzo's death.  
 
The remaining group then discover Private James Frederick Ryan whom they believe is the Ryan they have been sent to find. Once the distinction is made, Miller's crew continues their search at the rally point of Ryan's company. It is then discovered that Ryan's group is defending a bridge at the Merderet River. During their trek to Ryan's location, Miller and his men encounter a German post armed with a heavy machine gun. The men decide to clear the post. When the action ceases, it is revealed that Wade, the medic, has been fatally injured. After Wade dies, Miller's group then take their anger out on the lone surviving German. The group decide to execute the soldier, a move protested by Technician Timothy Upham. Miller allows the soldier to leave blindfolded.  
 
The last of the Ryan brothers. 
The last of the Ryan brothers. 
The group then find Ryan stationed on the outskirts of Ramelle. After learning of the deaths of his brothers, Ryan refuses to leave the men he has been ordered to serve with. While the decision frustrates most of Miller's crew, the Captain decides to take command of the bridge defense mission.  
 
Once it becomes clear that the German forces are too strong to repel, Miller's group resort to plan B--destroy the bridge to prevent the German's from progressing. While attempting to detonate the explosives, Captain Miller is fatally wounded. As the German's near the bridge, a group of U.S. Mustang planes, tanks and soldiers arrive and take control of the situation. Upham, who was unable to safely cross the bridge with the rest of Miller's surviving group, is able to come out of hiding. He then spots the German soldier he saved from death and executes him. Private Ryan is with Captain Miller during his last minutes alive.  
 
The film then jumps back to present day where we learn that the elderly war veteran is Private Ryan. Ryan salutes the grave of Captain John H. Miller and the film comes to a close.  
 

Reception

Critically, Saving Private Ryan was positively received. The film was praised for its superb acting and fantastic battle-scenes. Many criticized the film for mostly ignoring the involvement of other countries. The film currently holds a 90 on Rotten Tomatoes, an A- on Mojo, a 90 on MetaCritic, an 8.5 on IMDB and a 4.3 on Netflix. Famed movie critic Roger Ebert gave the film 4/4 stars.  
 
Saving Private Ryan was nominated for eleven Academy Awards and won five. Spielberg took home the Academy Award for Best Director, though Shakespeare in Love took the award for Best Picture. The film also won multiple Golden Globes, BAFTA Awards and even a Grammy for its soundtrack. 
 
In 2008 the American Film Institute published a "Ten Top Ten" list. This list was comprised of the best ten films in ten "classic" American genres. Saving Private Ryan took eighth place in the "epic films" genre. 

12 AWARD NOMINATIONS

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General Information Edit
Name Saving Private Ryan
US Release July 24, 1998
UK Release Sept. 11, 1998
AUS Release Nov. 19, 1998
Runtime 169
Language(s)
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English
Genre(s)
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Action
Drama
War
History
Theme(s)
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world war ii
historical
extreme violence
loss
Rating R
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  • In today's dollars
    Domestic $216,540,909
    Foreign +265,300,000
  • = total worldwide gross $481,840,909
  • - a reported budget of $70,000,000
  • = a 588.3% net profit of $411,840,909
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