The Longest Day (1962)

Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

This movie has survived the test of time as still the best WWII movie. For a 3hr movie holds you all the way.

The Longest Day (1962) is an Action/Drama/History/War feature about D-Day. The film shows the events of D-Day from the perspective of both the Germans and the Allied forces. The film was great. I enjoyed the acting and the casting of the film. One of the greatest assets of The Longest Day is the movie score. The songs are excellent and add to the plot of the film. Battle scenes are introduced with a beating of the drums.The battle scenes are incredible and detailed. You are able to see dialogue between soldiers that would usually be left out in Hollywood renditions of important battles. You see what happens leading up to the battle, the plans that are made, the things that go wrong, and how the soldiers overcome obstacles and work to win the war. The scenery and acting are so vivid and authentic that you'll swear that you can smell the soldiers as they run through puddles of mud. The shots and bombs are so loud and destructive that you'll jump from your seat.I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys war movies or historical dramas. Although this film did not have much in the way of special effects due to the fact that it was released in the early 60s, the director still manages to create an intense and action- packed movie that will give viewers the perspectives of opposing soldiers at war.

This is, without doubt, one of the greatest American war movies made in the '60s, along with ''Battle of the Bulge'' and ''Where Eagles Dare''. It's well told from the different sides (Americans, British, French and Germans) and everyone talks in his own language (the French speak in French and the Germans speak in German).The title refers to the D-DAY (6 June 1944), the day the Allied assault the Nazi-dominated France.The movie can be divided in two parts. The first, with Americans and British that complain about the bad weather and about the ships and planes, and the decision of General Eisenhower to go ahead with the invasion on June 6, with the background sound of a clock: meanwhile also the Germans want to take some time because of the bad weather. The French Resistance receive their coded messages by radio and then they start their sabotage plans.The second part starts when the two sides, Allies and Germans, are engaged in battle. My favorite part was the Pointe Du Hoc, because is full of action and thrilling scenes and with few actors that I like; Robert Wagner, George Segal, Fabian, Tommy Sands and even singer Paul Anka, that also wrote the theme song.The scenery is great, from the beginning to the end; the beaches, that today are one of the most famous of France's camping sites, the farms with some animals (cows, doves and rabbits) that are indifferent of the soldiers, and Pointe Du Hoc itself.The music score is also great, especially in the ending credits.Shot in black-and-white and CinemaScope, The Longest Day is the excellent chronicle of the D-DAY, from the preparation till the ending of the beach invasion, with a remarkable line said here by Robert Mitchum ''Take me up the hill, son''.In three hours Zanuck and the three directors (Annakin, Marton and Wicki) managed to tell all the scope of one day in every minimum detail, and with the greatest all-star cast ever seen in a war-movie. There are some, like Rod Steiger, Henry Fonda or a pre-007 Sean Connery that vanish after few scenes, but they are also convincing. While the biggest parts, like Robert Mitchum or John Wayne's, are also good, and surrounded by some famous supporting actors of those years. Wayne's co-stars are Steve Forrest, Tom Tryon and Stuart Whitman, while Mitchum's co-stars are Eddie Albert, Ray Danton and Jeffrey Hunter.I want to talk about the roles and the actors that, for me, were the best in the movie: Irina Demick as Janine Boitard, the SEXY French Resistance leader, that succeed to distract two German sentries.Robert Mitchum as Brigadier General Norman Cota, that never stops to give orders and rallying his men. His lines were the best, and were said with a right dose of cynicism.Tommy Sands as an US Army Ranger.He is the most bold of the Rangers and eventually kills some Germans in pacific state while he keeps company to a wounded Robert Wagner.Eddie Albert as Col. Thompson. He reassures Mitchum saying that the rain will stop. Eventually he is convinced by Mitchum about the fact that the men have to battle despite the heavy casualties.Stuart Whitman as Lt. Sheen. He is useful for John Wayne's men because he gives indications about the locations of the German outposts.Sal Mineo as Pvt. Martini. A brief role because he is killed in action.Sean Connery as Private Flanagan. A loudmouth soldier and always besides him Norman Rossington. Trivia: After this movie Connery became the first actor to play James Bond in ''Dr. No''.Henry Fonda as Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the Brigadier General that arrives with the first landing craft at Omaha Beach.John Wayne as Lt. Col. Benjamin Vandervoort, who would participate in war actions and wouldn't stop to give orders to his men broken foot or not. He is the best actor in the movie.I always watch this movie every 6 of June, the anniversary of the D-DAY. It's one of the best American war movies ever made, second only to ''Saving Private Ryan''. It also won two Oscars, for Best Cinematography and Best Special Effects. And watching this movie, even multiple times is a great experience. Must-see for all war movie fans!

The D-Day invasion was a major event in the history of the world. Eisenhower decided that it was time to join the allies and invade via the beaches at Normandy. This movie could have beens stronger if it had been a little more concise and taken on a smaller piece of the story. It tries to get at virtually every aspect of the invasion from the points of view of five different entities. Granted, it has some incredible performances (and some sort of dull ones), but, again, there were just too many stories to keep track of; hence, most of them are just a bit undernourished. Don't get me wrong. It's a terrific film at time, and they do a good job of presenting that story. The movie is based on a very extensive novel by Cornelius Ryan.