‘Saving Private Ryan’ to Head for Europe

As Steven Spielberg’s epic “Saving Private Ryan” storms the $100-million box-office hill in the U.S. this week, plans are underway for its launch in Europe next month.

When the film strikes the key countries of France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany, the turnout could rival and possibly surpass North American box-office results, some in Hollywood estimate, and the experience of viewing it could be even more emotional among Europeans than it has been for American veterans.

The film will make its European debut Sept. 3 at the Venice Film Festival. With Spielberg in tow, Paramount, which is distributing the film overseas, will open the event with a black-tie affair. That event will be followed by another dressy showing at the Deauville Film Festival in France two nights later. Deauville is just 20 minutes from where the bloody June 6, 1944, Omaha Beach battle--the focal point of the film--took place.

On Sept. 7, the film will open in the United Kingdom with a debut in theaters countrywide four days later. On Sept. 18, it will open in Spain, followed by nationwide openings in France on Sept. 30, Italy on Oct. 2 and Germany on Oct. 22.

“Obviously, we will go to great pains to make sure war veterans and [veterans’] organizations will be invited and catered to in every location, especially in the U.K. and Deauville,” said Robert J. Friedman, vice chairman of Paramount’s Motion Picture Group. Paramount holds the overseas distribution rights; partner DreamWorks is releasing the film in the U.S.

“We’re planning major press activities in all locations,” said Friedman, adding that Spielberg, star Tom Hanks and other cast members would be on hand for many of the events. “Between the success in America and the tremendous amount of publicity already generated, combined with our major publicity efforts in a very extensive campaign, you’d have to be Rip Van Winkle not to know this film will be in the market.”

He declined to divulge further specifics regarding Paramount’s overseas marketing plans.

The film will open in Japan on Sept. 26, Latin American countries in late September and early October, and Australia on Nov. 19, Friedman said.