Historical accuracy and veteran responses
The photograph, Into the Jaws of Death, taken by Robert F. Sargent on June 6, 1944. Saving Private Ryan was lauded for its accurate recreation of the Omaha Beach landingsSeveral publications highlighted the accuracy of the Omaha Beach assault, down to the sound of gunfire, although some minor errors were noted, such as bullets killing soldiers underwater, the absence of British coxswain steering the boats, and the battle's truncated duration.[13][93][111][112] Historical curator John Delaney said:
"It's accurate for that unit on that bit of that beach on that day ... but you can't say, 'That's what D-Day was like', because it wasn't. Omaha beach is about three and a half miles long. What's happening at one end of the beach isn't what's happening at the other end."[113]
Discussing the core narrative, Ambrose said, "It's a stretch that they would send eight soldiers, but it could have been hard to find him ... the paratroopers were scattered everywhere."[29]
Many World War II veterans described the opening of Saving Private Ryan as depicting the most realistic representation of combat. Another veteran, interviewed by Time, said "I remember when I walked out into the lobby of the moviehouse, not a single person coming out of that showing said one word ... everybody was stunned by it ... It just brought back so many memories."[111][114] There were various reports of some veterans being unable to finish watching Saving Private Ryan because of the memories it brought back.[v] The United States Department of Veterans Affairs created a dedicated phoneline for viewers affected by the film, and more veterans visited counselors for post traumatic stress disorder.[27][15][116]
The rest of the film was less historically accurate. The town of Ramelle and its associated battle were fictitious, and tactical errors were deliberately made for dramatic effect, as well as some of the dialogue, and the methods used to locate Ryan.[93][111] Total Film and some non U.S. veterans were critical of the lack of other Allied forces throughout the film.[112][117] British broadcaster Channel 4 said that these critics had missed the point of the film, in that it was "unashamedly an American story".[118]
Home media
Saving Private Ryan was released on VHS in May 1999.[119] It became the most successful rental debut of its time, earning $9.6 million in its first week and $44 million by July 1999.[120][27] A limited edition two-VHS version was released in November 1999, adding a making-of documentary, as well as a message from Spielberg about D-Day and the National D-Day Museum.[120]
A DVD was released alongside the limited edition VHS, with the same extras.[121][122] A two-disc Special Collector's Edition DVD set was released in May 2004 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of D-Day.[123] This edition included additional content, including behind-the-scenes content recorded during filming. Spielberg discussed his interest in WWII, the Niland brothers, the story and character development, the cast's boot camp experience, the involvement of the Irish army and locations, the recreation of Omaha Beach, the music, sound effects, and a farewell from Spielberg.[123] This was released alongside a four-disc deluxe "The World War II Collection" DVD package that included a collectible book and two documentaries: Price for Peace (directed by James Moll) about the use of dogs in WWII, and Shooting War (directed by Richard Schickel) about combat photographers, with narration by Hanks.[122][124]
Saving Private Ryan was released as a two-disc Blu-ray in May 2010, including all previously released special features apart from Price for Peace.[125][126] Paramount Home Entertainment issued a recall of the Blu-rays after discovering that some versions featured an audio synchronization issue. The defect was fixed in versions re-released later that month.[127] For the film's 20th anniversary in 2018, a three-disc "Commemorative 20th Anniversary" Blu-ray set was released, including a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and all previously released features.[128]
Other media
A novelization, written by Max Allan Collins and Rodat, was released alongside the film.[129][130] Saving Private Ryan: The Men, the Mission, the Movie : A Film by Steven Spielberg was also released in 1998. It features illustrations, color plates, extracts from the screenplay and Ambrose's works, as well as commentary by crew including Spielberg, Hanks, and Damon.[131][132]
