Saving Private Ryanremains one of the most iconic war movies ever made. The movie follows Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks), who is tasked with assembling a team of soldiers to retrieve Private James Ryan (Matt Damon) after his brothers are killed in action. The movie represents ideals many Americans have held about themselves, particularly regardinghow they see their military’s contribution to the war effort in World War II.
Each character introduced inSaving Private Ryanuses their unique perspectives to further the mission of rescuing this single soldier. While the movie is known for its memorable ensemble cast, there are several characters that stand out. Some characters, like Private Fish Mellish (Adam Goldberg), remind the group of what they are fighting for. Other characters, like Sergent Horwath (Tom Sizemore), are characters who showcase their leadership abilities and show that they are people the team can look up to.
Saving Private Ryan
Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.
10Staff Sergent Hill
Played by Paul Giamatti
While Sergent Hill (Paul Giamatti) isn’t a part of Miller’s Men, he is an important part of their story. After becoming separated from his own unit,he encounters Miller’s Men, thinking they are his. From the moment Hill is introduced, it’s clear that he is a sarcastic man who’s been jaded by his wartime experience. In the brief moments he appears in the movie, he saves medic Private Wade (Giovanni Ribisi), who himself tried to save a fallen comrade.
From the moment Hill is introduced, it’s clear that he is a sarcastic man who’s been jaded by his wartime experience.
Saving Private Ryanhighlights how different peoplereact to war, andHill’s sarcasm and bitterness are evidently a front for deeper emotions.This makes sense, considering all this character must have seen. Hill is the perfect character to showcase just how profound the impact of war can be on people. This character is an example of a war-hardened soldier who is able to cope with everything he’s seen with a dry, biting sense of humor.
9Private Jackson
Played by Barry Pepper
Private Daniel Jackson (Barry Pepper) is a sniper recruited by Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) to help find Private Ryan. What immediately stands out about Jackson is his ability as a sniper and the fact that he is a man who clearly prioritizes his faith.Jackson shows signs of struggling to read, but he makes up for what he lacks with sheer grit. While Jackson is keenly aware of his intellectual limitations, he never lets that stand in the way of protecting those on his team.
What immediately stands out about Jackson is his ability as a sniper and the fact that he is a man who clearly prioritizes his faith.
Jackson’s faith is notable inSaving Private Ryanbecause it grounds him as a character. While everyone around him is simply focused on survival, Jackson brings a much-needed perspective to this World War II drama that poses existential questions.Jackson’s focus on honing his skills while remaining true to his beliefs makes him easy to invest in as a character. While everyone around him is focused on the immediate danger the team faces, Jackson is able to look to something higher.
8Private Wade
Played by Giovanni Ribisi
Wade is the team’s medic who is tasked with responding to the emergencies they face in their quest to retrieve Private Ryan. Wade is open about his difficult childhood and the fact that he was always close to his mother, who passed away before the beginning of the war.His past informs his desire to help his brothers in arms. Wade is the most protective member of the group and is always willing to put himself in harm’s way to save anyone who needs it.
Wade is the most protective member of the group and is always willing to put himself in harm’s way to save anyone who needs it.
What makes Wade one ofSaving Private Ryan’s most compelling charactersis the fact that he has an undeniable desire to do good in the middle of unspeakable suffering. He is undeterred by the destruction around him and is never distracted from his goal of helping as many soldiers as he can.Wade’s death has a profound impact on the entire team, and they struggle to carry on when they lose him, since they loved and respected him so much.
7Private Reiben
Played by Edward Burns
Private Richard Reiben (Edward Burns) is one of the soldiers handpicked by Captain Miller to be part of the team to search for Private Ryan. Reiben is an experienced soldier and had several brushes with death before joining the team.This gives him a unique perspective on the war, and someone those who are newer to the action can look up to. Reiben sets himself apart from other soldiers by insisting on smoking cigars rather than standard cigarettes.
Reiben is an experienced soldier and had several brushes with death before joining the team.
Reiben is important toSaving Private Ryan, because he is the first to express doubt. This makes him an essential member of the team because he provides a dose of individuality as the team has to work together to accomplish this mission.His journey, from someone who does not believe in the mission to someone who plays a key role in finding Private Ryan, is one of the most compelling character arcs in the movie.
6Private Caparzo
Played by Vin Diesel
Private Adrian Caparzo (Vin Diesel) is an Italian-American soldier who is battle-hardened while remaining compassionate. Caparzo is a de facto leader among the group since he has so much experience. Caparzo is a family man and puts himself in danger to rescue a young French girl whom the team encounters.Caparzo’s empathy is put on full display when he takes this French childwith the intention of protecting her because she reminds him of his niece.
Caparzo is a de facto leader among the group since he has so much experience.
What makes Private Caparzo one of the best members ofSaving Private Ryan’s ensemble castis that he never lets his compassion get lost in the brutality of war.The fact that he is so willing to offer protection to an innocent family and their child highlights his strength of character. Additionally, the fact that Caparzo fights so passionately for what he believes makes him an easy character to root for in such a strong ensemble.
5Private James Ryan
Played by Matt Damon
Private James Ryan’s presence is felt throughout this entire story. All roads lead back to him as an entire team is dispatched to find him after his brothers are killed in action. Throughout the movie, members of the team debate the utility of deploying so many resources to rescue one soldier. Ryan becomes a myth that hangs over the entire story. He provides the inspiration that keeps this team of soldiers going as they work to complete their mission.
Ryan becomes a myth that hangs over the entire story.
Private Ryan is one of the bestSaving Private Ryancharactersbecause he provides the motivation for everyone sent to rescue him. While there are some on the team who express doubt or even derision about the mission, everyone is eventually unified in their goal to retrieve Ryan and to send him home to his family.Saving Private Ryanhighlights the ideals Americans saw themselves fighting for, and this is embodied in Private Ryan as a character.
4Corporal Upham
Played by Jeremy Davies
Timothy Upham (Jeremy Davies) is undisputedly one of the most intelligent members of Miller’s Men. With a background in several languages, he is comfortable waxing philosophical about the broader implications of war. His diligence and exceptional work ethic immediately make him stand out to Miller.The fact that he has limited combat experience gives him a unique and necessary perspective on the war’s destruction.
Even in the face of war’s darkest challenges, Upham was there for his team when they needed him most…
Upham’s enthusiasm is part of what brings the team together. His fierce determination inspires the rest of the team, even when they are at their lowest. Even in the face of war’s darkest challenges, Upham was there for his team when they needed him most and always did his best to manage conflicts.Saving Private Ryanmade broader points about waroverall, and this is embodied in Upham throughout the movie.
3Private Stanley “Fish” Mellish
Played by Adam Goldberg
Private Stanley Mellish is one of the most passionate members of Miller’s Men. As a Jewish-American soldier, he had a particular stake in World War II, and expresses this through his hatred of Nazi forces. Mellish is close with Private Caprazo and is devastated when he is killed.Caprazo was the one who gave Mellish his nickname, “Fish”. While Mellish recognizes how important it is for him to be in Europe fighting for his people, he is distressed at the fact that this involves killing at all.
As a Jewish-American soldier, he had a particular stake in World War II…
Mellish provides a much-needed perspective to the team about what they are really fighting for. While their immediate mission is to retrieve Private Ryan, they are part of a broader effort to fight tyranny in Europe. Mellish represents the many American Jews who felt a duty to serve during World War II while Jews were being murdered in Europe.Saving Private Ryanhighlights the human cost of war, and he is a reminder that the team’s mission extends far beyond rescuing one American soldier.
2Sergent Horvath
Played by Tom Sizemore
Sergent Horvath is Miller’s second-in-command. He served alongside Miller throughout the war, including in Africa and Italy. Horvath is Miller’s only true friend since Miller is so closed off and unable to process the trauma he has faced throughout the war. Horvath takes Upham under his wing since Upham is new to combat.Horvath shows himself to be a confidant to the entire team, and they can always count on him to come through when it matters most.
Horvath is Miller’s only true friend since Miller is so closed off and unable to process the trauma he has faced throughout the war.
As Miller’s second-in-command, Horvath plays an important role in the mission. Horvath is someone his team can rely on when they feel that they can’t continue. This dependability makes him one ofSaving Private Ryan’s best characters. Horvath is passionate about the mission, which leads him to take drastic measures to ensure it’s completed. Even when faced with his own demise, he fights to the end, which makes him a compelling and ultimately tragic character.
1Captain Miller
Played by Tom Hanks
Captain Miller is the man who bringsSaving Private Ryantogether. His passion for this mission is clear, and he will stop at nothing to send Private Ryan home. A former English teacher, Miller is tasked with leading this group on a seemingly impossible mission while the war rages on around them. Miller struggles with PTSD, and struggles to process everything he’s been through, especially as the war continues to rage around him.
Captain Miller represents the best America had to offer in World War II. The fact that he is so committed to his mission of retrieving a single soldier makes him laudable.Saving Private Ryanis ultimately a story about courage and sacrifice, and no one embodies this more than Captain Miller. The fact that Miller stops at nothing to complete his mission, even as he faces his own internal demons, makes him the strongest and most endearing character featured in this movie.
