Edward Burns Wears A New Hat

Actor, writer, producer, director: Edward Burns wears a lot of hats! CBS 'This Morning' Co-Anchor Mark McEwen interviewed the fast-rising filmmaker, who is now one of the stars of Steven Spielberg's World War II saga, Saving Private Ryan.

Burns plays one of the American soldiers sent to Omaha Beach on D-Day. The actor said that, even on the set, it wasn't difficult to understand the fear of the servicemen on that fateful day.

"There are moments in the film, especially in those action sequences...where you're running across the beach and explosions are going off," Burns said. "Some guys are flying through the air, there's blood all over the place, and it's terrifying."

Director Steven Spielberg hired a battle-hardened ex-Marine named Captain Dye to put the actors through boot camp. Burns said the experience helped the cast better understand the deprivation and hardships of war.

"Captain Dye is one of those guys where, when I saw the film, he's the guy I wanted to thank," Burns said.

Burns was impressed by the captain's dedication to the actors' training.

"He said, 'You guys are representing my fraternity - a fraternity of soldiers'," Burns recalled. "'You're also representing all those guys that died on the beach that day, and I'm not going to let you disgrace their honor'."

The film didn't become easier for Burns after bootcamp. Burns said the first two days were difficult, especially when he flubbed his lines.

"I look and there's Spielberg, and he's not pleased. And there's Hanks. And I'm thinking, you know, I'm screwing up. And I'm like, 'How on earth did I end up here with these guys in Ireland making this World War II film'?"

Fortunately, Burns said, he finally got his lines right.

Burns made his film debut as the writer, director and star of The Brothers McMullen. The independent, low-budget film won critical acclaim, and turned Burns' initial $25,000 investment into a million-dollar box office hit.