The one and only actor forced to choose between ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and ‘The Thin Red Line’

Tom Sizemore was offered roles in both Steven Spielberg’s *Saving Private Ryan* and Terrence Malick’s *The Thin Red Line*, whose overlapping production schedules meant he could appear in only one. He chose Spielberg’s film, securing a substantial supporting role and a prominent place in the wartime drama.

Sizemore had been preparing to travel to Australia for Malick’s film when Spielberg asked whether he wanted to work with him and Tom Hanks in Britain and Ireland. Edward Norton had also been offered roles in both films but turned them down. The article says *The Thin Red Line* cut or removed scenes for several prominent actors, while Sizemore played Mike Horvath, John Miller’s second-in-command and friend; Spielberg also monitored Sizemore’s sobriety during the demanding shoot.