I remember reading somewhere that there is an older war movie that Saving Private Ryan was based on (unofficially I believe), but I can't remember the name of the movie. Does anybody remember what movie that was and if so is it on DVD? Thanks to anybody that can help me out.

You sure you're not thinking of Thin Red Line, which Ryan was often compared to simply because they were released at similar times?

That film (Thin Red Line), based on the book, was made in the earlier 60's with a much more linear story.

Its probably The Longest Day, which was also about D-Day.

Another film it references (or copies) is the Russian Come and See - specifically the use of sound.

Wasn't the story inspired by the real life death of 3 or 4 Irish brothers on a ship during WWII?? Didn't the US decide after to avoid placing siblings in the same groups?

Wasn't there a movie about the Brothers made back in the 40's or 50's?

The Fighting Sullivans made in 1944. Great movie. Starts out slow but you get to know each brother by seeing them going through teenage problems, deciding to enlist, and then going to war.

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0037323

It shows to be on DVD but it may be OOP because the price is around $70? DVDPlanet says that the studio is Troma which is odd because they usually don't do this sort of story.

Ok, I have a question....

Is the guy who stabs(I forget his name) in the chest during that brawl in the room the same guy who "Opem"( I think thats his name)shares his cigarettes with?

I never understood why the hell Opem just sat there crying, and didn't help out....I know that war can be hell but geez, even my wife gets pissed everytime she sees that scene.

I'm not even sure Upham even knew why he didn't react to his friend dying. But he's crying because he scared stiff and yet he is letting his friend die. I think Upham is also pissed at himself for being a coward.

I have only seen the movie twice...and I remember that one German soldier coming down the steps and just walking by Upham and not doing anything.....for a second there I couldn't tell if that was the same guy who bummed a smoke from him earlier. I'll have to go back and check those 2 scenes again.

Also, my brother and I argue about one particular scene. When they are storming the beach, and get up to the sand dune you see Tom Hanks talking to the radio guy....then he tries to talk to him again and (this is where we disagree) I say he had his face blown off, but he says NO WAY because had he had his face blown off there would have been blood everywhere....

Thanks for all the replies. I'll have to watch the movies mentioned to see how much SPR borrowed from other sources.

Yes, the German was the same guy that they let go at the radar tower earlier in the movie.

I don't think the radio guy gets shot in the face. I'd have to watch the scene again to be sure, but there is a clear shot of his face after he gets shot and I don't remember there being any damage to it.

The radio guy's head/face looks like it was caved in when Tom Hanks turns him over. Doesn't look like he was shot in the face, more along the lines of what one would look like after meeting a blunt object head on.