Originally released in 1998 and directed by Steven Spielberg (Jaws, Schindler’s List, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial), Saving Private Ryan is set in 1944 during the Second World War.

Saving Private Ryan premiered in 1998
© Alamy Stock Photo
Saving Private Ryan premiered in 1998

Set in Normandy, France, the film follows a group of soldiers led by Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks), who are tasked with locating Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon) and bringing him home safely after his three brothers are killed in action.

Inspired by the books of Stephen E. Ambrose, Saving Private Ryan became one of the highest-grossing movies of 1998 and is still regarded as one of the greatest depictions of war in cinematic history. Alongside Golden Globes and BAFTAs, the film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning five, including Best Director for Steven Spielberg.

If you’ve yet to see Saving Private Ryan and love epic war dramas like 1917, Dunkirk, Hacksaw Ridge and Black Hawk Down, then it’s definitely worth tuning in when it airs on the BBC this week.

What have viewers said about Saving Private Ryan?

The movie proved a hit with critics and viewers alike, earning a 94 per cent critics’ score and a 95 per cent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In a five-star review, Th

Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter penned: “The visual masterwork finds Spielberg atop his craft, weaving heart-pounding action and gut-wrenching emotion that will leave viewers silently shaken… If words occasionally fail the picture, the images speak indelible volumes.”

The Observer added: “Saving Private Ryan is a masterpiece. It cements Steven Spielberg’s reputation as one of the seminal filmmakers of the era.”

Matt Damon plays Private James Francis Ryan
© Alamy Stock Photo
Matt Damon plays Private James Francis Ryan

What is Saving Private Ryan about?

After winning an Oscar for Schindler’s List in 1994, Saving Private Ryan became Steven Spielberg’s second Academy Award-winning blockbuster, charting a World War II rescue mission.

The synopsis reads: “After barely surviving the D-Day landings, Army captain Tom Hanks leads a small team of US soldiers to find and rescue a young private whose brothers have all been killed in action.

Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore, Adam Goldberg, Tom Hanks and Barry Pepper all star
© Alamy Stock Photo
Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore, Adam Goldberg, Tom Hanks and Barry Pepper all star

“Despite its distinctly American bias, Spielberg hits hard with an enthralling, based-on-fact war story. The hellish opening sequence is an astonishing experience in itself.”

Who stars in Saving Private Ryan?

Tom Hanks leads the movie as Captain John H. Miller, while Matt Damon plays Private James Francis Ryan. Tom Sizemore stars as Technical Sergeant Mike Horvath and Edward Burns plays Private First Class Richard Reiben.

Meanwhile, Barry Pepper plays Private First Class Daniel Jackson, while Vin Diesel appears as Private First Class Adrian Caparzo and Adam Goldberg stars as Private Stanley “Fish” Mellish.

The film lands on BBC One on Wednesday night
© Alamy Stock Photo
The film lands on BBC One on Wednesday night

Rounding out the cast are Giovanni Ribisi as T-4 Medic Irwin Wade, Ted Danson as Captain Fred Hamill and Paul Giamatti as Staff Sergeant William Hill.

Saving Private Ryan lands on BBC One at 10.40pm on Wednesday and will be available to stream on iPlayer afterwards.