In 1998, Spielberg’s critically acclaimed Saving Private Ryan was released in theaters. Its opening scene became an instant classic: never before had the D-Day landings been portrayed with such grim and brutal realism, plunging viewers into the heart of chaos alongside the hapless soldiers.
Behind this gripping fiction lies the true yet little-known story of four young Americans swept up in World War II - the Niland brothers. Their family tragedy, every bit as moving as Steven Spielberg’s story, is entirely real - and in this reality, war surpasses fiction.
Through exclusive interviews and the Niland family’s personal archives, this documentary reveals their story for the first time ever. From basic training at Camp Toccoa to the momentous battles in Normandy, we follow the fate of these four brothers, reliving key moments of world history along the way.
Direction: Angèle Berland
Production: Alma Productions for RMC Découverte
Delivery: Spring 2026