Review of The Longest Day (1962) by Conor B — 04 Sep 2012

One of if not the best movie ever made about the events that transpired during D-Day on June 6th 1944. The Longest Day pulls no punches, and shows the viewers not just the Airborne Operations and Beach Landings, but the strategy and planning that went into Operation Overlord. Such as British troops using "dummy" solders to confuse the German troops and the Allied high command contacting the French resistance to cripple German communications and transportation. Everything we take for granted about war movies nowadays such, Military and Historical advisors was started by this film. Another one the films main strengths is not showing the German Officers in France as mostahce twirling stero-types but as solders following orders, much like their allied counter-parts. Something that very few movies about World War 2 have done since. Along with an A-List cast, including John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and Sean Connery to name just some of the star power behind this gem of the silver screen, The Longest Day cements itself as a true landmark film in an era when movies about World War 2 where being used as propaganda films to get young men to join the armed forces. However the movie is a bit long, and despite the fact the I recomend it highly. If your'e looking for a action packed war flick filled with blood, guts, and explosions you might be better off watching Saving Private Ryan because The Longest Day is a for a very niche market nowadays if you like history then is movie is for you, but if you just want action, action, and more action then you'll most likely find first half of the movie a more than a little boring. Which is sad because most modern movie goers just want to see an action packed blockbuster rather than something historically sound. But I digress The Longest Day is a film that I do recomend very highly, not just for the history behind this flick but because it makes the viewer thankful that there where and still are people ready to stand against tyranny.

If wen't for them I would probably writing this review with a different tone, and I would be writing this review in German.