10 Things You Didn't Know About Saving Private Ryan

There is of course a lot of historical influence that went into Saving Private Ryan. From the era-appropriate attire, dialogue, weapons and battle field conditions, everything was meticulously planned out and created with the key goal to be as authentic as possible.

The biggest influence - at least from a script point - was the inspiration for the core story. Following a group of soldiers through the war as they attempt to bring one young soldier home, it was widely assumed the plot was based on the Sullivan Brothers, a group of five brothers who were all killed whilst serving in the US Navy.

Instead, the film is actually loosely based on the Niland Brothers, four siblings who all served in the US Army. Three of the brothers - Robert, Preston and Edward - were declared K.I.A, which resulted in the fourth sibling, Fritz, being sent home so his family wouldn't lose all their sons.

It was later found that Edward Niland had also survived the war, having escaped a POW camp in Burma near the end of the conflict and returning home to his last brother and their family.