<Tr> <Th> Budget </Th> <Td> $70 million </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $481.8 million </Td> </Tr> <P> Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American epic war drama film set during the Invasion of Normandy in World War II . Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Robert Rodat, the film is notable for its graphic portrayal of war, and for the intensity of its opening 27 minutes, which includes a depiction of the Omaha Beach assault during the Normandy landings . It follows United States Army Rangers Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) and a squad (Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Adam Goldberg, and Jeremy Davies) as they search for a paratrooper, Private First Class James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), who is the last - surviving brother of four servicemen . </P> <P> The film received critical acclaim, winning several awards for film, cast, and crew, as well as earning significant returns at the box office . The film grossed US $481.8 million worldwide, making it the second - highest - grossing film of the year . The film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards; Spielberg's direction won his second Academy Award for Best Director, with four more awards going to the film . Saving Private Ryan was released on home video in May 1999, earning another $44 million from sales . </P>

Who played private ryan in the film saving private ryan