D-Day Duty 2022 (#4 of 4) – The Longest Day (1962) – Encore Review 4

Today is the 78th anniversary of the Allied forces landing in Normandy on D-Day, so I decided to watch 4 movies about that historic day that were each made in different decades which give a slightly different perspective on the events of that fateful day.

Here is the review of the 4th and final film that I watched.

Enjoy!

“You remember it. Remember every bit of it, ’cause we are on the eve of a day that people are going to talk about long after we are dead and gone. [chuckles] You want to know something? It gives me goose pimples just to be part of it.” – Destroyer Commander

Number of Times Seen – Between 5-10 times (Cable, DVD, 18 May 2000, 1 Oct 2014, 27 Feb 2018, 4 Jun 2019, 28 Jan 2021 and 6 Jun 2022)

Link to original review –Here, Here and Here and Here

Brief Synopsis – A comprehensive big budget all star cast film that depicts the events of D-Day.

My Take on it – This is such an amazing film especially given the fact that it was done in the early 1960’s.

It was almost unheard of back then to make ensemble films like this one and they managed to succeed so well with what they gave us.

The cast is filled with so many known actors that it is surprising how they were willing to sometimes take on small parts of very minor characters who do extraordinary things as the day unfolds.

The story is told in a very comprehensive way which allows the viewer to get such a clear idea as to everything that transpired on that fateful day.

The plan itself had so many aspects to it that it’s amazing that it was put together and executed so well.

The movie spends just enough time on most of the characters in order to show us who they are and what there role was in this huge undertaking.

Yes, with these kind of films, there will always be some inaccuracies, but the film does a wonderful job regardless.

The choice to use foreign actors speaking in their characters native languages is also quite innovative for its time and they manage to add another level of realism just thru the language aspect.

They do an amazing job with this film and it remains compelling to watch on any day, let alone on the anniversary of D-Day because of the powerful way it is able to tell this kind of story.

Highly Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Richard Todd, who took part in the action at the bridge at Benouville (later renamed Pegasus Bridge), was offered the chance to play himself, but joked, “I don’t think at this stage of my acting career I could accept a part ‘that’ small.” He was cast as the commander of the bridge assault, Major John Howard, instead. In a strange twist of fate, in one scene of the battle for the bridge, a soldier runs up to Todd, playing Major Howard, and relays information about the battle to him. During the actual real battle, Todd actually did run up to Howard to relay information to him. Therefore, the film actually did show a soldier playing Todd running up to Todd playing Howard and relaying information the real Todd gave to the real Howard. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy (10/10) (no change from original review)