Saving private Ryan

Robert Rodat (born Keene, New Hampshire, 1953 is an American screenwriter. After noticing his son's birthday (June 6) shared the same date as the Battle of Normandy, he was inspired to write his Oscar-nominated script for Saving Private Ryan (1998)[citation needed]. Though others have written, "Rodat first came up with the film's story in 1994 when he saw a monument dedicated to four brothers born to Agnes Allison of Port Carbon, PA, who died during the American Civil War." See Wikipedia entry for Saving Private Ryan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Rodat

OR:
Is Private Ryan from Saving Private Ryan a real person?
In: Saving Private Ryan
Answer: No he is fictional. The story was adapted from an incident recorded by historian Stephen E. Ambrose.
The story was based on actual events but fictional characters were used.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_Private_Ryan_from_Saving_Private_Ryan_a_real_person#ixzz1O2vylPzI

Than again:
Is saving private ryan the movie based on a true story of a real person?
________________________________________
Saving Private Ryan is inspired by the true story of the Niland brothers.Sgt. Niland was in the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment.
http://www.chacha.com/question/is-saving-private-ryan-the-movie-based-on-a-true-story-of-a-real-person

Then again:
Frederick "Fritz" Niland

• Rank: Sergeant
• Unit: 101st Airborne Division, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Company H, 1st Platoon
• Parents: Michael and Augusta
• Brothers: 3 - Robert, Preston and Edward
• Home Town: Tonawanda, New York
Saving Sergeant Niland? Although the story for the search for Private Ryan is fictional, there was a real paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division whose family (appeared to have) suffered the loss of three out of four sons in combat in a short period of time.
http://www.sproe.com/n/fritz-niland.html

I think we have a WINNER!

Ambrose said he was inspired to write the story by Niland. Pretty sure he would know.

2wlady wrote: Yep, CB (with the critical in YOUR name), be quiet.

Any question in a poll or survey should be clear. Questions should not be written so as to confuse the person answering the questions.

And this is more than just English grammar. There is an art/science combination to writing proper questions. I know this because I must write legally defensible questions for certifications. Very stringent rules. And a pain in the behind, although quite challenging.

This question and the answers in this survey were not clear, as evidenced by the many comments expounding on various meanings:

compilation of WWII stories
based on a true WWII story
work of fiction
main story made up
the Sullivans

Did the write actually want to know if it was based on a true story or inspired by a true story? If based on a true story, then the answers should have been different.

You trying to turn this site into Pinecam?

Monkey wrote:

You trying to turn this site into Pinecam?

You trying to turn this site into Pinecam?

How do you get pinecam out of my postings?

TM is correct, story is based on Niland of Iowa...

2wlady wrote: Monkey wrote:

You trying to turn this site into Pinecam?

You trying to turn this site into Pinecam?

How do you get pinecam out of my postings?

Very stringent rules

Hope, it ain't speling...

I overlook spelling errors, for the most part. lol


Some, however, are just too heinous to resist.

: Sorry!

I did not see the movie was under the understanding that is was a true story. Alot of times movies make things appear faster then they are. The movie Radio made it seem it was just a year or so time span and it was actually what happened over 20 or 30 years.

Or the move Rainman was about a savant but he did not have autism. So they mixed a few people and disorders into one person.

Maybe this was a compilation of stories and people. Seems likely to me.

BTW, the real rainman died recently. I watched a 2 hour program about him and his brain before he died and it was fascinating.