‘Greatest war film ever made’ is 1962 ‘unique masterpiece’
This film has one of the starriest cast line-ups in history.
If you are into war movies, then this picture must be on your radar. The Longest Day is an American-British epic war film based on Cornelius Ryan's 1959 non-fiction book of the same name.
It focuses on the D-Day landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944. The 1962 film was produced by Darryl F. Zanuck for 20th Century-Fox, and is directed by Ken Annakin (British and French exteriors), Andrew Marton (American exteriors), and Bernhard Wicki (German scenes).
The film features a large international ensemble cast that includes John Wayne, Kenneth More, Richard Todd, Robert Mitchum, Richard Burton, Steve Forrest, Sean Connery, Henry Fonda, Red Buttons, Peter Lawford, Eddie Albert, Jeffrey Hunter, Stuart Whitman, Tom Tryon, Rod Steiger, Leo Genn, Gert Fröbe, Irina Demick, Bourvil, Curd Jürgens, George Segal, Robert Wagner, Paul Anka and Arletty.
Many of these actors made cameo appearances in the film, with several cast members having actually seen action firsthand as servicemen during the war, including Albert, Fonda, Genn, More, and Steiger. Todd, in fact, was among the first British officers to land in Normandy in Operation Overlord and participate in the assault on Pegasus Bridge.
The film's synopsis reads: "In 1944, the U.S. Army and Allied forces plan a huge invasion landing in Normandy, France. Despite bad weather, General Eisenhower gives the okay and the Allies land at Normandy. General Norman Cota travels with his men onto Omaha Beach. With much effort and lost lives, they get off the beach, travelling deep into French territory. The German military, due to arrogance, ignorance and a sleeping Adolf Hitler, delays their response to the Allied landing, with crippling results."
The film has a great score of 83% on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic said: "It is, and will most likely always remain, the definitive D-Day picture."
A second said: "Aside from a great war tale, Day also marks what must be the only film where you can see John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Fabin, Sal Mineo, Eddie Albert, Red Buttons, Peter Lawford, and Sean Connery all fighting the same war."
Fans of the movie also took to Rotten Tomatoes to share their thoughts.
One viewer wrote: "One of the greatest ww2 films ever made behind A Bridge Too Far and Saving Private Ryan."
"The best, greatest, thrilling and inspiring epic movie ever made," a second said.
Another added: "A unique masterpiece, focusing on three sides (American, Britain, and Germany) during the invasion of Normandy in WWII. Epic-scale war saga; arty and unforgettable, with an all-star cast."
A fourth said: "The cast is immense and the movie is one of the greatest war movies ever made."
