On 3 July 1997, RTÉ News reports on the filming of the now epic opening sequence of the film 'Saving Private Ryan' at Curracloe Beach, Co. Wexford.

Members of the Reserve Defence Force dressed in Second World War US Army uniforms and carrying weapons from the period marching on a beach, take part in a £40 million Steven Spielberg war epic. Curracloe beach is the location for recreating the D-Day landings at Omaha Beach, Normandy, during the Second World War on 6 June 1944.

Lieutenant Colonel Pierce McCorley talks about the serious nature of the production which depicts one of the bloodiest battles in history. Denis Cloney, who owns the land on which the filming is taking place, talks about buying the land from a German in 1960. The film's producer Ian Bryce talks about Spielberg's choice of location for filming.

The film went on to win five Oscars, including the gong for Best Director for Steven Spielberg.

An RTÉ News report broadcast on 3 July 1997. The reporter is Damien Tiernan.