[Gay State Conservative]

I just watched an analysis of Saving Private Ryan the other day.In his analysis the guy pointed out several factual errors that Speilberg made...one being in the opening scene where our guys were in the boats on the way to the beach.In that scene the Sailor skippering the boat was clearly an American.In real life the Sailors skippering those boats were British...which would make sense given that they're sailing from a British port.

If I was a Brit I'd be curious to hear Speilberg's explanation for that factual error.

I've read that at least one person associated with this film (can't recall who) said that the US flag was deleted because this was a "human achievement" rather than an American one.

Spielberg's omission may,or may not,have been intentional.But the deletion of the American flag was *absolutely* intentional.

Feel free to see it if you wish...that's cool.But I'll be too busy.

[Alberta's Child]

I agree the removal of the U.S. flag was intentional. I also agree with the other Freeper who pegged the underlying reason why it was done. Making a movie without the U.S. flag is sort of like building cars in Ohio or Michigan with the steering wheels on the right side. It's a business decision, pure and simple.

And no, I have no intention of seeing this movie. LOL.

Knowing how the industry works, I wonder if Spielberg's omission had something to do with silly union rules in the movie business. Heck -- they filmed the Normandy beach scenes in Ireland!

[Tallguy]

*** the Sailor skippering the boat was clearly an American.In real life the Sailors skippering those boats were British...which would make sense given that they’re sailing from a British port. ***

Never heard that. I had a great uncle who served in the US Coast Guard on LCT’s during the war. The landing craft that serve his ship were all crewed by Coasties. Usually a Coxswain and a Gunner.

[ExGeeEye]

Many US soldiers were carried to the beach by US Higgins boats (LCVPs) skippered by US sailors. This is the type of boat portrayed in the film, using 10 surviving examples.

However, the Rangers (including the real Charlie Company, Captain Ralph E. Goranson commanding) were bought ashore by British sailors in British LCAs.

It may be that this story was conceived and carried out as a story about US soldiers, and interactions with or portrayals of British and other allied troops were considered superfluous.