Saving Private Ryan

Set during the D-Day invasion of Normandy during World War II, Saving Private Ryan presents a fictional search for a paratrooper of the United States 101st Airborne Division. While this part of the plot is a work of fiction, the premise is very loosely based on the real-life case of the Niland brothers. This film is particularly notable for the intensity of its opening 24 minutes, which depict the Omaha beachhead assault of June 6, 1944. Saving Private Ryan was well received by audiences and garnered considerable critical acclaim, winning several awards for film, cast and crew.