Revealing mistake: If you look at the river under the bridge and all other shoots it isn't flowing yet it is quite shallow. In one shot the wind is blowing the surface.The river was purpose built along with the town on former British Aerospace Factory in Hatfield Herts and the river is a shallow oblong mini lake the runs the width of the set.
Continuity mistake: When James Ryan from Minnesota is told his brothers died, the arm behind him disappears and reappears depending on the angle.
Other mistake: In the final battle scene, soldiers jump on top of a German tank and throw a few grenades in. While the sound of the grenade's fragments bouncing around the tank can be heard, there is no sign of the actual explosion.
Continuity mistake: While they are preparing to defend the bridge towards the end, Mellish tells Upham to be "Johnny on the spot with the ammo." and proceeds to put 2 30 cal. belts around Upham's neck. In the first shot the bullets are pointed down, when the shot changes the bullets are pointed up.
Continuity mistake: When the unit finds the first Private Ryan, after he hears his brothers are dead, he leans towards his superior officer as he cries, but in the next scene he has his face buried in the officer's chest.
Other mistake: When Ryan and Miller are using the mortars without the tube, there is one shot of a German soldier being hit and falling forward. A couple of seconds later this same shot is used again. (02:21:30)
Suggested correction: They are different shots. When the first soldier is blown up, there is only one soldier visible behind him. When the second soldier is blown up, you can see multiple soldiers behind him. Also, the second soldier has a limb blown off, which can be seen in the explosion, whereas the first did not.
