IMDb > Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Saving Private Ryan
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Saving Private Ryan (1998) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 131 | slideshow) Videos (see all 7)
Saving Private Ryan (1998) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 72% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Robert Rodat (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Saving Private Ryan on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 July 1998 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
In the Last Great Invasion of the Last Great War, The Greatest Danger for Eight Men was Saving... One. more
Plot:
Following the Normandy Landings, a group of US soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 5 Oscars. Another 52 wins & 53 nominations more
User Comments:
War is hell, and "Saving Private Ryan" peeks into the gates of Hades more (2053 total)
US TV Schedule:

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for intense prolonged realistically graphic sequences of war violence, and for language.
Runtime:
170 min
Country:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:R (certificate #35942) | Taiwan:GP | Malaysia:18SG (DVD release) | Malaysia:(Banned) (theatrical) | Philippines:PG-13 | Brazil:14 | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | India:A | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA (re-rating on appeal) | Australia:R (original rating) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/Ontario) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Chile:14 | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-14 (re-rating) | Finland:K-16 (original rating) | France:U | Germany:16 (bw) | Hong Kong:IIB | Iceland:16 | Ireland:15 | Israel:PG | Italy:VM14 | Mexico:B | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R15 | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:NC-16 (re-rating on appeal) | Singapore:R(A) (original rating) | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating)
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Selected as the opening film at the 55th Venice Film Festival in 1998. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: Right after the soldiers make a run for the seawall in the D-Day scene, it shows a German machine gunner firing his MG-42. There aren't any spent casings being spit out by the gun and in fact there aren't even any bullets being fed into it. The metal link belt is there, but it is empty of bullets. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Ryan's son: [running to comfort his father] Dad?
[flashback to D-Day]
LCVP pilot: Clear the ramp! Thirty seconds. God be with ya!
more
Soundtrack:
Tu Es Partout more

FAQ

Is this a historically accurate film?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
What does FUBAR mean?
more
250 out of 307 people found the following comment useful.
War is hell, and "Saving Private Ryan" peeks into the gates of Hades, 16 August 1999
9/10
Author: Kyle Milligan (toldyaso@planeteer.com) from Toronto, Canada

I'd heard a couple of startling things about this film before seeing it. I'd heard that many veterans were having a hard time getting through the film without breaking down. I'd also seen interviews with veterans who'd seen the film and found the film to be incredibly realistic and consequently difficult to watch. Intriguing comments, since we all know there is no shortage of films about war from this century.

There are not many films that I've seen that have actually made me physically react to the action on screen. I'm not speaking of the three-dimensional variety either. What I mean to say is this film had me contorting and cringing at the gripping, horrifying action on screen. Somehow the extreme violence can be justified as the whole world knows that this is an important chapter in human history and a startling, graphic depiction only adds more weight to the seriousness of the subject matter. I'd have to say this is probably one of the most important films of the 20th century because of its frank approach to one of the darkest periods of our time on this earth.

I am always deeply moved and fiercely proud when given cause to consider those that gave their lives to protect our way of life and liberate those that already suffered dislocation, imprisonment and attempted genocide. These soldiers were truly noble and deserve our deepest gratitude. This sentiment is a common one, and will go some lengths to explain why this film has meant so much to so many.

Even with the attention to detail and care taken into how it was shot to accentuate to the fullest degree its realistic approach, it is still hard to imagine what it must have been like to be part of a war. But this film goes a long way to help your mind get around it. It's hard for me to say what kind of impact the cinematography would have on someone watching it on the small screen of a television versus the big screen, but from my perspective, this film really does benefit from a theatrical presentation.

What "Saving Private Ryan" does extremely well, is show the world the harsh reality of war without pulling any punches. The story about a squad of soldiers sent to retrieve the surviving brother of three dead soldiers is told with competency and due reverence from all perspectives of the characters involved. It is an uncommon and intriguing drama, but it serves as an excuse to describe a setting, rather than the other way around. The story manages to move us through all sorts of different landscapes and scenarios, giving us an unforgettable glimpse of a world unknown to most of us, and terrifying to those who are familiar with it from personal experience.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (2053 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Timely for Veterans Day: SPR test mac_the_tack
They should have used this 'Tiger' GyratingSquidofDoom
What a racist movie!!!! zepedro221
Is Saving Private Ryan the best war film of all time? latchy1
Best Scenes in SPR - who agrees? rkw2705
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Rambo The Longest Day Black Hawk Down Cross of Iron We Were Soldiers
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Action section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.