Arguably the greatest war film ever turns 25 years old today as Steven Spielberg’s epic masterpiece Saving Private Ryan hits the quarter of a century mark. The brilliant military movie was released on July 24th, 1998 to major critical and box office success. And it remains one of the best flicks to this day.
Tom Hanks (L) Steven Spielberg (C) And Edward Burns Discuss A Scene On The Set Of The Wwii Drama “Saving Private Ryan.” 1998 Tm & Dreamworks Llc/Paramount Pictures/Amblin Entertainment. (Photo By Getty Images)
With a stellar cast starring Tom Hanks (who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor), Tom Sizemore, Edwards Burns, Vin Diesel, Barry Pepper, Dennis Farina, Ted Danson, and Matt Damon…this ensemble brought an amazing mix of personality and performance to this huge movie. Hanks is fantastic as the slightly mysterious Captain Miller…Sizemore is an excellent right-hand-man…and Matt Damon delivers a big-time performance as Private Ryan himself.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JUNE 9: The movie’s poster is displayed at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Great To Be Nominated screening of “Saving Private Ryan” at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater June 9, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)
The picture would win five Academy Awards…with Spielberg taking home the Oscar for Best Director (deservedly so). Somehow, the film lost the Best Picture award to Shakespeare In Love…though a poll given to the Academy in 2015 showed that, in retrospect, a majority of the voters wish they had voted for Saving Private Ryan for Best Picture. Regardless…the film remains an absolute classic…and in my opinion…it truly is the greatest war movie ever. Enjoy a selection of clips below.
– Davey Mac
1998 Wexford, Ireland. Dale Dye (Far Right) Who Is Hollywood’s Favorite War Movie Consultant, Advising Director Steven Spielberg, Art Director Tom Sanders And Star Tom Hanks During The Making Of “Saving Private Ryan.” (Photo By Getty Images)
