Tom Hanks
Played by Tom Hanks, Captain Miller is the protagonist of the film. Compared to the soldiers he commands, Miller is an older man who has been working as a schoolteacher for quite some time. He is an experienced and compassionate leader, having led students in his classroom for many years in a kind and compassionate manner. He joined the military after he felt a call of duty to serve his country during World War II in its fight against the evil Nazi war machine. His call of duty extends to his mission in finding and saving Private Ryan from certain death at the hands of the Nazis.
Because of his experiences during the war, Miller has been crippled with PTSD and wants nothing more than to go back home to his profession and wife. He is a devoted husband who wants the best for himself and his wife and children.
Matt Damon
Played by Matt Damon, Private James Ryan is the youngest of four brothers who decides to fight in WWII against the Nazis. During that time, few families were spared the turmoil of having several people fight during the war. Ryan was assigned to drop into France before D-Day and secure the area before soldiers landed on the beaches.
After his three brothers are killed in the line of duty, Captain Miller and his squad are asked to secure him and return him to the United States. The War Department had a longstanding policy that prevented a family's line from ending with the death of every sibling. If one sibling was serving and another had just died, they would return them from the warzone. If another had been drafted and been killed, the other that had not been drafted was not asked to fight.
Like his brothers, Ryan is bound by duty. He is a good man who loves his family and the men he serves with (including Captain Miller). When allowed to leave his squad, thereby condemning them to death, Ryan refuses and risks his own precious life to help them save the French village.
Tom Sizemore
Played by Tom Sizemore, Sergeant Horvath is Captain Miller's right-hand man. Like Miller, he is a loyal man and an equally brave soldier who is deeply committed to his mission and his fellow soldiers. He is often the middleman between Miller and the rest of his squad; he is a member of the squad's leadership but knows their concerns. His character demonstrates the unwavering loyalty and brotherhood that forms among soldiers during war.
Barry Pepper
Private Jackson is the squad's sharpshooter. He is an incredibly religious man who often begs for forgiveness before taking someone's life. Nevertheless, he is a skilled soldier who is an integral part of his squad's survival.
