Retired Marine Capt. Dale A. Dye, right, delivers an American Legion plaque to director Steven Spielberg. Legionnaires selected "Saving Private Ryan," as the "best war film ever" during a recent survey by The American Legion Magazine. Spielberg directed the 1998 film, in which Dye acted and provided military advice. The two are currently working on "The Pacific War," a companion piece to the widely acclaimed "Band of Brothers."

Washington, DC (June 7, 2007) – Legionnaires from across the nation voted “Saving Private Ryan” as the “Best War Movie Ever,” in a poll sponsored by The American Legion Magazine.

“There were no pre-selected nominees on the ballots. Participants were allowed to vote for any war movie of their choice. We received hundreds of votes and 11.3 percent chose ‘Saving Private Ryan’ as their favorite war film,” said John Raughter, editor of The American Legion Magazine.

The American Legion announced the results at the GI Film Festival in Washington on Memorial Day weekend. Dale Dye, a military advisor and an actor in the 1998 Steven Spielberg film, accepted the award.

“The movie depicts the realism of war by showing the bravery, fear, cowardice and horror of it all,” said Mark C. Hemmrich, a Legionnaire from Stevens Point, Wis., who voted for the film. “It exemplifies our American ingenuity, honor and our sense of liberty, justice, religion and family.”

The 1962 D-Day classic “The Longest Day,” and the 1955 Audie Murphy film “To ***** and Back” both tied for second place, receiving 20 votes each. “Band of Brothers,” a 2001 cable miniseries was next with 14 votes. A list of the top ten war movies will be published in an upcoming issue of The American Legion Magazine.

The GI Film Festival, the first of its kind, featured 22 film screenings, two panel discussions and appearances by actors Gary Sinise, Dale Dye, R.Lee Ermey, entertainer Pat Boone and former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Richard Myers.

“There is no doubt given the enthusiastic response we received this year that we struck a chord with the GI Film Festival,” said Brandon Millett, the event’s president. “We look forward to building on our successes next year and in the years to come.”

For more on the GI Film Festival, please visit www.gifilmfestival.com.