10 Movies Based On A True Story You Need To Watch Before You Die

Widely regarded as one of the most realistic war films ever made, Saving Private Ryan tells one of the most incredible true stories to come out of World War II. And while it's only loosely based on the true story of the Niland brothers, it does draw heavily from multiple real-life accounts.

After the US Army discover that three out of four brothers of the Ryan family are killed in action, the orders are given that the remaining brother be found and brought home. This falls to Captain John Miller, (played by Tom Hanks), and his men, as they search for Private James Francis Ryan, who dropped in with the 101st Airborne Division somewhere in Normandy.

As their search takes them further and further into mainland France, Miller must command his men from firefight to firefight while trying to keep them focused on their mission. Along the way, the film gives us the most authentic experience of combat ever put to the silver screen. The film was authentic, that World War II veterans reported experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder after seeing the film in theatres. It was also especially praised for its portrayal of the D-Day landings and the historical accuracy of military operations.

So if you ever wondered what it was like to be on the front lines of World War II, there are few films with a better depiction of warfare at its most brutal than Saving Private Ryan.