10 Movie Reveals You Can Spot Early (If You Really Look)

2. The Old Man Is Private Ryan - Saving Private Ryan

Saving Private Ryan Matt Damon Old
Paramount Pictures

The Reveal

The elderly man seen at the beginning of the movie isn't in fact Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) as Steven Spielberg leads the audience to believe, but actually Private Ryan (Matt Damon).

How To Spot It Early

To anyone in the air force, this should be pretty obvious, but it'll fly clean over the heads of most everyone else (pun intended).

At the start of the film, we see that the elderly man is wearing a 101st Airborne pin on his jacket, because of course, Private Ryan is a member of that division.

This is in stark contrast to the movie's main characters, including Captain Miller, who are members of the 2nd Ranger Battalion and so wouldn't be wearing the 101st Airborne badge.

It's subtle enough for non-enthusiasts to totally miss it, yet pretty much hidden in plain sight.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.