The Longest Day (1962)

Based on Cornelius Ryan’s book with the same name from 1959, The Longest Day is one of the great epic war movies about the D-Day landings at the Normandy on June 6, 1944 during WW II.

Filmed in black and white in the style of a docudrama, The Longest Day tells the story about the invasion from the US, British, Free French and German perspectives on a grand scale. Beginning in the days leading up to D-Day with the Allies waiting for better weather and the Germans still expecting an invasion at Calais, the film continues to show the early hours of June 6 when paratroopers were dropped inland to take key towns and bridges as well as the most important happenings at the different invasion points.

Allied military consultants, who had been actual participants on D-Day, ensured that the events are depicted as accurate as possible; though minor changes were made to increase the drama. Wherever possible, the film was shot at the original locations, and a huge, all-star international cast portrays the characters involved, from high-ranking officials to ordinary GIs. Unique for that time that the French and German actors don’t speak English, but their native language (English subtitles are provided).

In 1963 the movie won two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Special Effects, a Golden Globe Award for Best Cinematography - Black and White, an Eddie Award for Best Edited Feature Film and a David di Donatello Award for Best Foreign Production.