Looking At Five Memorable Scenes From ‘Saving Private Ryan’ On Today’s 79th Anniversary Of D-Day

On June 6th, 1944…the Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy in order to free France and ultimately defeat Germany in World War II. Experts say it is the largest seaborne invasion in military history. And perhaps no film-maker has captured this historic day quite like master director Steven Spielberg.

Tom Hanks Steven Spielberg And Edward Burns Discuss A Scene

378219 02: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)

Spielberg…whose father was a soldier during World War II…wanted to make the most realistic portrayal of war…and what it was truly like to be in battle. With Saving Private Ryan, Spielberg did just that. While the scenes of violence can be overwhelming at times…they are necessary for Spielberg’s vision of the horrors of war…and the courage that follows.

378224 01: 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)

Saving Private Ryan does not romanticize war like movies from the 1940’s and ’50’s…but rather shows the gritty and frightening reality of it. But, Private Ryan also highlights heroism…and courage.

And while Captain Miller and Private Ryan may have been fictional characters…the men who landed in France in 79 years ago and defeated the Germans were very much real…and they truly were heroes. It’s a good thing that Spielberg saluted these veterans…and all World War II veterans…with this classic film. Take a look at five scenes that were memorable from this amazing movie.

AMPAS Great To Be Nominated Screening Of "Saving Private Ryan"

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

5.) The Wall Battle

One of Steven Spielberg’s greatest talents is surprising audiences. From Jaws to Jurassic Park, Spielberg knows how grab audiences with an unpredictable, out-of-nowhere scene. The Wall Battle in Saving Private Ryan showed just that.
4.) Sniper In The Tower

In this clip, Spielberg sets up tension like few other film-makers…and this dramatic scene with a German sniper in a tower is a powerful display of that ability.
3.) Captain Miller’s Mission

In possibly the best speech of the film, Tom Hanks delivers a poignant monologue of the effect war has had on him…and why he’d like to go home.
2.) The Final Battle

The final battle is absolutely gut-wrenching…but positive in the end…as Captain Miller and other Americans were able to defeat the Germans.
1.) D-Day

No other director has ever showed war this up close and personal the way Spielberg did with the beginning of Saving Private Ryan. Every second is heart-pumping movie-watching…and it makes the viewer appreciate the real heroes who served.