The Most Historically Accurate Hollywood Films

Sole-Survivor Policy

Though the actual search for "Private Ryan" is fictional, the film is based on a real directive that was enacted in 1942. The "Sole-Survivor Policy" stated that if only one member of a family remains, they were to be protected from military duty. There was a real search and rescue mission for a man named Frederick Niland, who lost three of his brothers died at war over just one month. 

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The More You Know

  • Richard Nixon Was a Great Musician
  • The first public movie screening was held in 1895 in Paris.
  • During World War I, Jackie the baboon was awarded a medal and promoted to the rank of corporal.
  • When filming Chinatown Jack Nicholson was dating Anjelica Huston, the daughter of his screen nemesis John Huston.
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