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Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Writer:

Robert Rodat
Popularity
42 ( 6)
Top Rated Movies #25 | Won 5 Oscars. Another 74 wins & 75 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Hanks ... Captain Miller
Tom Sizemore ... Sergeant Horvath
Edward Burns ... Private Reiben
Barry Pepper ... Private Jackson
Adam Goldberg ... Private Mellish
Vin Diesel ... Private Caparzo
Giovanni Ribisi ... T-4 Medic Wade
Jeremy Davies ... Corporal Upham
Matt Damon ... Private Ryan
Ted Danson ... Captain Hamill
Paul Giamatti ... Sergeant Hill
Dennis Farina ... Lieutenant Colonel Anderson
Joerg Stadler Joerg Stadler ... Steamboat Willie
Max Martini ... Corporal Henderson (as Maximilian Martini)
Dylan Bruno ... Toynbe
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Storyline

Opening with the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944, members of the 2nd Ranger Battalion under Cpt. Miller fight ashore to secure a beachhead. Amidst the fighting, two brothers are killed in action. Earlier in New Guinea, a third brother is KIA. Their mother, Mrs. Ryan, is to receive all three of the grave telegrams on the same day. The United States Army Chief of Staff, George C. Marshall, is given an opportunity to alleviate some of her grief when he learns of a fourth brother, Private James Ryan, and decides to send out 8 men (Cpt. Miller and select members from 2nd Rangers) to find him and bring him back home to his mother... Written by J.Zelman

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The mission is a man. See more »

Genres:

Drama | War

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for intense prolonged realistically graphic sequences of war violence, and for language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

During their night in Neuville, Upham is surprised when Capt. Miller identifies a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson ("War educates the senses..."). This is an early clue to Miller's peacetime occupation as an English teacher. See more »

Goofs

When we first see Colonel Bryce, it's clear he is missing his left arm. But then later, when General Marshall is about to read the letter written by Abe Lincoln, for a brief second his left arm can be seen. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Ryan's son: [running to comfort his father] Dad?
[flashback to D-Day]
LCVP pilot: [shouting out the soldiers on the raft] CLEAR THE RAMP! THIRTY SECONDS! GOD BE WITH YA!
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Crazy Credits

The DreamWorks and Paramount logos play in complete silence. See more »

Alternate Versions

Originally, when the US broadcasting rights were acquired by TNT, they were required to broadcast the film uncensored, with all violence and language intact. Although recent (2008) airings have kept all the violence and gore, at least one dubbed all uses of 'fuck' with the word 'friggin'' or 'freakin''. All broadcasts carry the "TV-MA LV" rating and carry a lead-in disclaimer after every commercial break. See also: Schindler's List. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Dinner for Five: Episode #3.7 (2004) See more »

Soundtracks

Tu es Partout
Music by Marguerite Monnot
Lyrics by Édith Piaf
Performed by Édith Piaf
Courtesy of Mercury Records, France
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music
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User Reviews

 
The only movie my grandfather couldn't finish
11 October 2018 | by keving4241See all my reviews

My grandfather fought in WW2 somehow surviving D-Day. He was apart of Operation Neptune and stormed the beaches of Normandy. He told us a lot of war stories but rarely ever spoke about that day. Before he passed away he did an interview with a local newspaper and detailed what he saw despite it being very difficult for him to speak about. He loved watching war movies... not sure exactly why. Some about that soldier life never really leaves them I guess. He absolutely hated Pearl Harbor cause of the horrible way they portray the military to be a bunch of toothbrush wielding babies who don't know what to do in the event of being attacked. He had a friend stationed there who lost his life and thinks that movie is a disgusting display of ignorance. Soldiers don't take girlfriends on private plane rides. And they most definitely know how to swim. Maybe I'll give that movie a good ripping one day.

But Saving Private Ryan was a respectable "I can't watch this" reaction. He said no movie has come that close to capturing what that day was like. He said it was too realistic. Whether or not the story is based on real or fiction, that intro was 100% realistic. I'm not sure if he ever did finish watching it but he appreciated it for capturing that chaos like no other movie has before. I watched the movie a dozen times now and keep it in my collection as a reminder of my grandfather. A scene he was technically in. Which makes me appreciate how strong of a person he really is.

War is hell and this movie not only shows that while being an entertaining experience but also captured what soldiers are left behind with. My grandfather was not afraid of anything. I've seen this man walk into a cellar full of black widows to get firewood and not even shake them off. The only time he ever experienced fear was when he went to bed. His nightmares of his time during the war would haunt him in his sleep. This movie helped me understand why.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French | German | Czech

Release Date:

24 July 1998 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Saving Private Ryan See more »

Filming Locations:

Calvados, France See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$70,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,576,104, 26 July 1998

Gross USA:

$217,049,603

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$482,349,603
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS | Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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