The Longest Day on DVD (1962)

One of the greatest films ever made.

Chris Willis from St.Albans, England , 21/07/2004

If you have never seen this film, you have missed out. It is certainly the best war film and possibly the best film ever made.

Shot at a time when the studios spent their money on people this film shows what we have lost in modern movie making. It's cast list is a who's who of A list stars (and that's not one or two A list stars but nearly 20!), whilst hundreds of extras give you a true taste of the scale of the events (look out in particular for the scene when a lone Luftwaffe pilot makes a strafing run along a mile or so of beach covered in men and materials)

The ensemble cast is complimented by dramatic sweep of the story and the even handed approach used in both the writing and the direction. Unlike so many war films, every side of the story is told. Germans, Poles, British, Americans, French, and all the other nations involved are treated evenly and respectfully.

Perhaps it is because of the closeness of the films shooting to the actual event (most of the cast lived through the war and one of the actors even took part in the parachute raids, playing his own commander in the film) that you there is no over sentementalism. Instead there is real pathos and a feeling of the mutual respect of the combatants that is so often echoed in interviews with the survivors today.

With cracking action scenes, an epic sweep, first class performances from an all A list cast, and enough pathos to bring a tear to the eye of anyone, this is absolutely my top recommendation to anyone.

Hope you enjoy it !

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Graham#6 from DUNDEE , 06/07/2004

A CLASSIC,BRILLIANT,WELL WORTH WAITING TO SEE .WOW WHAT A CAST. RENT THIS BRILLIANT WAR HISTORY TODAY.

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D day - the longest day what a film

A customer from Cardiff , 29/06/2004

probally the greatest war film ever.

Shown in black and white and packed out with who's who of the era's film stars great performances by all. Moving scenes on the beaches only matched by 'saving Private Ryan '.

I have seen a colour version of this film on Sky digital a few years ago and it really looked suberb. I expect they will put this out on DVD in colour

one day look out for it but get this first its greatttttttt.

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Wind_Pilot#1 from ROMSEY , 21/08/2004

The film sticks faithfully to the book, which I have read recently. Some of the acting styles now seem dated. Thus John Wayne is John Wayne and never the character he's supposed to be; Richard Burton is Mister Sulky. However this film has worn its years well. It doesnt have the stunning sound track of the landings scene in "Saving Private Ryan". However the use of black and white adds atmosphere, enabling the film to integrate well with original newsreels of the time. There are some stunning photographic images, for example the opening shot of a helmet lying on a beach. An undoubted classic.

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Dated but still good!

Marconi from N. Yorkshire , 17/03/2004

The Longest Day was perhaps the Lord Of the Rings of its time - the longest, most star-studded film, jam-packed with effects and great battle scenes. And for many years - rightfully so - it retained its place as the classic amongst war films.

But the came Private Ryan, and was films changed forever. Previously a gritty, realistic look at the men who fought on D-Day, following their fortunes and lives or deaths, it now appears to be an old Sunday afternoon B-movie war film without much to recommend it.

But the stars in it were not stars for nothing, and the performances turned in were pretty good, even by today's standards.

And if the effects are all pretty bloodless, well... Private Ryan would have caused outrage, fainting in the aisles and instant banning forty-odd years ago when the Longest Day was made - so you can't really compare, as it was all up to the actors to make it believable, rather than the brilliant, bloody effects of Private Ryan.

So enjoy Fonda, Mitchum, Wayne and Burton acting it, rather than spelling it out.

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Graham#6 from DUNDEE , 06/07/2004

A CLASSIC,BRILLIANT,WELL WORTH WAITING TO SEE .WOW WHAT A CAST. RENT THIS BRILLIANT WAR HISTORY TODAY.

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