Once in a while, you come across a movie that is a gem. Something that was a long time coming, and when it did, it broke tons of box office records and surpassed many expectations. One such movie is the ever-so-famous ‘Saving Private Ryan.’ What started off as a journey to portray the carnages of World War Two, paying tribute to all the soldiers and military personnel that served in the army, Steven Spielberg’s movie became an iconic war film.
Initially made for his dad, Steven didn’t think that this film would hit home with the critics as well as the masses. But, he was instantly proved wrong. Following its massive release and success in 1998, ‘Saving Private Ryan’ won over 50 awards for its spectacular performances, impeccable editing, science-fiction genre, and many other categories. Let’s not forget to mention that it was nominated for more than 100 awards in 1999 — that number in itself is a huge accomplishment and proves a job well done.
Aside from the fact that this movie was so critically acclaimed, it’s important to mention that a lot of World War II veterans who saw the film, agreed that it was one of the only films of it’s time to portray the wartime with the most realism. Although it took about two years for the script to be picked up by Paramount Pictures (it was written in 1994 and picked up by Paramount Pictures in 1996), everyone can agree that this motion picture was well worth the wait.
The film also helmed stardom for many of the actors involved. But, we think out of all the professionals in the movie, Tom Hanks garnered much success post-playing Captain Miller on screen. Want to know how? If so, then keep reading, because here are 50 rare and unknown facts about ‘Saving Private Ryan’ that not many people know!
50. The ammunition wasn’t made out of metal…
It would have been too heavy to carry! So, the actors used ammo made out of wood for the initial battle scenes. Smart! And, they look authentic, too!
49. Robin Williams had everything to do with Matt Damon’s part in the film
The veteran actor introduced Matt to Steven during the rehearsals of another movie, ‘Good Will Hunting;’ two weeks later, the director contacted Matt for ‘Saving Private Ryan.’
48. This movie actually made a lot of people MAD
Steven had decided to lower the color saturation for a better artistic effect. But, when it was broadcasted on TV, two major satellite providers reported that customers were upset with the movie’s color. So, they turned up the chroma again.
47. A German veteran was actually a part of the cast
He was in the German-dubbed version but pulled out because the experience of filming the movie was way too traumatic.
46. ‘Saving Private Ryan’ is a tribute to Steven’s dad
Arnold Spielberg served in the U.S. Army and Signal Corps; he also fought during World War II, in Burma.
45. Steven thought Matt was a nobody…
And, he liked that! The director wanted a fresh face for the film.
44. Tom Hanks wasn’t the first choice to play Captain John H. Miller
Steven was originally considering Mel Gibson or Harrison Ford.
43. Even Matt wasn’t supposed to be a part of the cast…
Private Ryan was first supposed to go to Neil Patrick Harris.
42. India first banned this movie from screening in the country
The India Censor Board wanted Steven to make cuts to the film that the director didn’t agree to, so the movie never played in India. But, the Home Minister of India later watched the film and decided that it would be released. That’s how good it was!
41. The crew disliked Matt, and we know why
Steven had all his soldiers go through grueling military training, but Matt was exempted because he wanted the soldiers’ resentment to show in their performances.
40. Billy Bob Thornton was supposed to be Sergeant Mike Horvath
The role went to Tom Sizemore after Billy rejected it because he didn’t want to film any of the scenes at Omaha Beach. He has Aquaphobia, he’s scared of water.
39. Every theatre had this strict rule to follow ahead of the film’s screening
Crank up the volume! Steven strictly directed each theatre to increase the volume to the highest possible setting. It’s almost shocking to hear how intense those sound effects are, and you wouldn’t get the same experience if you watched it at home.
38. Real guns were fired for the making of this film
All the gunfire sound effects were real and done with period weapons.
37. Boot camp supervisors called the actors “turds”
It was all a part of the plan. The actors took part in a boot camp in which they had to survive in wet conditions, only call each other by their character names, and get referred to as “turds.”
36. The Omaha Beach scene took four weeks to shoot
They tried to make it as authentic as possible. Each day, the action moved closer to the beach, helping the actors feel as close as possible to the experiences of their real counterparts.
35. Matt got REALLY lucky
The role of Private Ryan was also offered to Edward Norton. The actor decided to opt out and starred in ‘American History X’ instead.
34. The audience has been lied to…
All the scenes that took place in France were actually filmed in a shell-town, made specifically for the movie, just outside of London.
33. ‘Saving Private Ryan’ is R-rated, and people loved it
The film made the most money in 1998 and was the last R-rated movie to lead the box office until ‘American Sniper’ came out in 2014.
32. One scene cost $11 million
We’re talking about the iconic landing scene at Omaha Beach. There were also more than 1000 extras involved in this scene, and a majority of them were from the Irish Army Reserve. 20-30 of these extras were amputees who were giving temporary prosthetics so that the crew could authentically show soldiers losing body parts as a part of the carnage.
31. Tom Hanks went against the director’s instructions
He cut a dialogue because he reasoned that it didn’t work for his character. Steven understood where he was coming from and allowed it. This part is when Captain Miller tells the rest of the men what he does back home.
30. Steven brought back pieces from World War II
Two landing crafts that were used to film the Omaha Beach scene were actually from World War II.
29. A new invention was almost made…ALMOST
Since the war scenes required the camera to shake a lot for effects, Steven attached drills to the side of the camera. They would turn on when the shaking was required. The crew’s photographer then told the renowned director that there were shaker lenses for the camera…
28. There was a second rule theatres had to follow
No one was allowed into the theatre once the film started.
27. Famous author and military historian, Stephen Ambrose, walked out of a special screening
The screening was meant specifically for him, but 20 minutes into the film he asked that it be stopped. He took a break and stepped out because the opening was too intense for him. After he composed himself, he came back in and watched the rest of the movie.
26. This was BANG on!
In the film, Paul Giamatti says, “The streets have been quiet for about 45 minutes,” at about the 45-minute mark.
25. Some complained that the movie lacked realism. But…
Charles Kelly, a recipient of the Medal of Honor, threw mortar rounds with his bare hands during a battle in 1943. Rangers did something similar in the film and people called it unrealistic.
24. Tom Sizemore was going through a drug addiction during the filming
And, he got an ultimatum from Steven: Tom would be blood-tested every single day, and if it came back positive, he would fire the actor on the spot and reshoot the 58 days Tom put into the film.
23. Hollywood loved it!
James Doohan, of ‘Star Trek’ fame, was a part of the war and participated in the invasion of Normandy in 1944. He appreciated that Stephen showed the gory details of the war.
22. Do you know what ‘CAFT’ stands for?
Captain Miller kept saying it, and he means, “Commander: Amphibious Task Force.”
21. Two battles took up 50 minutes of screen time
The battle of Normandy, right at the beginning, and the fight to save Ramelle at the end, are each 25 minutes long.
20. Even the most tragic moments were captured
In this scene, the two men are mistaken as German soldiers when they’re really Czech. But, they try to defend themselves by saying: “Please don’t shoot me, I am not German, I am Czech, I didn’t kill anyone, I am Czech!”
19. Matt proved to be the king of improvisation
He improvised the story that he’s telling towards the end of the movie, the one where he’s spying on his brother. Steven loved the impromptu performance and kept it in the film.
18. Steven didn’t care if kids couldn’t watch his film, NO CUTS meant NOT CUTS
He said that the film would have released even with an NC-17 rating; NC-17 stands for “No children under 17 admitted.”
17. The film was edited on a non-digital editing system
It was the last movie to be edited in this way, to win an Academy Award for it’s editing. Incredible!
16. Tom Hanks had more than one win after this movie
The success and rave reviews weren’t the only things Tom got after being a part of ‘Saving Private Ryan.’ He was also initiated into the US Army’s Ranger Hall of Fame mainly because of his role as Captain Miller.
15. The film’s military advisor made a cameo
He was the War Department Colonel who advised General George C. Marshall to not send a rescue party after Ryan.
14. Do you want to know how the bullet holes were made?
They were created digitally, with the addition of Industrial Light & Magic.
13. This film was hard on veterans
It’s difficult when veterans watch a film like ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ mainly because of all the realism depicted in the screenplay. The Department of Veterans Affairs set up a special toll-free number for the thousands of veterans who may be feeling anticipation or anxiety after watching the movie.
12. The acclaimed Omaha Beach scene wasn’t actually shot at Omaha Beach
There are stern filming restrictions at Omaha Beach, so Steven recreated an exact replica of this historic site in Ireland.
11. Dirt plays an important role here
Soldiers often brought dirt back from the battlefields so they can show where they fought. So, Tom collecting dirt off the ground is an accurate portrayal of what soldiers did in the past.
10. Here’s how Steven landed this movie in the first place
Screenwriter Robert Rodat’s script landed in Steven’s hands through his agent. Interestingly enough, Tom Hanks was also reading the same script. Once the two got to know that they were both reviewing the same screenplay, they decided to make the film together.
9. Imagine Michael Madsen as Sergeant Horvath
Michael was the original actor in mind for this role, but he declined and suggested Tom. Imagine Michael’s look as Sgt. Horvath. It’s hard, we know.
8. Vin Diesel got paid $100,000 for his role
For those who may not remember, Vin Diesel played Private Caparzo.
7. A battle was faked…
Did you know that there was no such thing as the Battle of Ramelle?
6. Edward Burns for the win
Edward played Rieben in the film. In one scene, he’s supposed to read out names of the fallen soldiers off of dog tags. He used the names of his friends in that scene to understand how it would feel to learn of the demise of a fallen friend.
5. Steven is a perfectionist, here’s why…
The entire film was modeled around newsreel from the 1940s. Even the camera’s lenses were changed to help depict the old-school feel.
4. ‘Saving Private Ryan’ is based on a set of brothers
The four Niland brothers all served in the U.S. Army in World War II.
3. The D-Day scene cost $12 million to film
The film’s entire budget was $70 million.
2. Can you guess how much blood was used for the opening scene?
Answer: 40 barrels of fake blood!
1. The movie wasn’t supposed to be a hit
Steven didn’t think that the film, charged with so much intensity and violence from World War II, would go on to be a blockbuster.
Have you seen ‘Saving Private Ryan?’ If so, did you know these facts listed above? We must say that they put the movie we all love in a whole new light, and it’s a good thing!
