10 More Movie Characters Who Mean More Than You Think
7. The Typist - Saving Private Ryan
One of the earliest examples of Matt Damon needing his backside saved in a film, the brilliant Saving Private Ryan had audiences fighting back the tears when it hit cinemas in 1998.
Spielberg's war-time masterpiece tells the tale of a group of soldiers sent behind enemy lines to save, well, Private Ryan - a young trooper played by Mr. Damon.
Why is James Ryan's life worth sending good men on such a dangerous mission? Does he have important information? Is he a skilled fighter? Does he owe somebody money?
Nope, the answer is good ol' PR.
James was one of four Ryan brothers who joined the military to fight in World War II. The other three were all killed in action, so the army decide that they're not going to be seen letting a mother lose all of her sons under their watch.
This detail is noticed by a typist working for the Department of War. She just so happens to be the one who typed up the three brothers' condolence letters, which she reports to her superiors.
Without her, this movie wouldn't even have a title, let alone a plot.