Seen through the eyes of a squad of American soldirs, the story begins with World War II's historic D-Day invasion, then moves beyond the beach as the men embark on a dangerous special mission. Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) must take his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in combat. Faced with impossible odds, the men question their orders. Why are 8 men risking there lives to save one? Surrounded by the brutalities of war, each man searches for his own answer.