Flight Officer David Campbell: "He's
dead. I'm crippled. You're lost. Do you suppose it's always like
that? I mean war."
Darryl F. Zanuck's "The Longest Day,"
was a real labor of love, dedicated to depict an important turning
point in World War 2. The basic story involves the Allied invasion
of Normandy in World War 2, and what the Germans were doing as
well. It is June,1944, in England. The Normandy beaches will be
the Allies destination while paratroopers are dropped inland to
take key towns and bridges, some more successful than others.
The screenplay and the book that it was based
on, were both written by D Day participant, Cornelius Ryan, who
was actually present at the invasion, as a 24-year-old reporter.
He takes great pains to present an accurate rendition of how the
Longest Day unfolded for both sides of this conflict. With its
big cast, and long running time, the elaborate behind the scenes
events, leading up to and including the invasion, are fascinatingly
presented. It is thought of as being a modern war classic. While
lacking in the realism of showing blood and guts, all the drama,
pain, tragedy and victory of war is evident in this colossal effort,
that took two years to film. (Hoards of soldiers are shown in
one scene running on the beach, as many are shot dead). Heroism
is celebrated and appreciated in the men who participated.
For the Allied side, it tells the story of 5
different Allied invasion drop points, that made up the overall
Allied attack plan, establishing "the reasons, the strategy
and tactics, and in some cases, the utter foolishness." Meanwhile,
"back at the ranch," the German side of the story is
also told. This classy picture makes good use of actors speaking
German, coupled with English sub-titles. This does much to enhance
the reality of certain scenes. The attention to all the exhaustive
preparations made by the Allies before this massive attack, and
what the Germans were thinking / doing at the same time, makes
this a very interesting film. Germans were portrayed as human
beings, doing what they thought was honorable and right, not just
cartoon villainous bad guys.
The various battle sequences are superbly filmed.
The stars who took part in the restaging of the invasion found
it physically demanding. Robert Mitchum was required to leap out
of a landing craft, and race 2,000 yards up the beach, alongside
real soldiers being used as extras, being careful to avoid 97
marked explosive charges. Also as part of the assault team that
took Point Du Lac, Robert Wagner, Paul Anka, Fabian and Tommy
Sands actually had to climb up a 9 story high cliff, right along
with trained U.S. Rangers. One can see why this vigorous mountain
climb took 12 days.
This sprawling, three hour movie sports 48 international
stars. While Bigger isn't always better, in this case it is. Besides
Cornelius Ryan, some of those involved in the production were
actually in the real D- Day battle. It was filmed only 20 years
after the real event. All the performances in "The Longest
Day" are good. Red Buttons, John Wayne, and Henry Fonda particularly
distinguish themselves. One complaint from some is that the film's
stars screen time was too short. However, no one actor is the
star of this film, because the focus was on presenting what happened.
John Wayne plays one of his better roles, in
the part of Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Vandervoort, whose battle
philosophy is summed up with this quote from the script: "You
can't give the enemy a break. Send him to hell." John Wayne
plays a focused, determined Lieutenant Colonel who will lead and
fight, despite his broken foot. John Wayne can communicate more
feeling and emotion in one look than many actors can in a page
of dialog. In one powerful scene, one squad of paratroopers was
dropped inside a well-defended French town, instead of on the
outskirts, which results in many men being machined gunned to
death by German soldiers, as their parachutes get caught on poles,
buildings. When the John Wayne enters the town after it was liberated
in battle, his face expressly shows the bitter rage his character
is feeling, at seeing the sickening sight of dead soldiers hanging
all over town.
Red Buttons (Private John Steele) is one of lucky
paratroopers that isn't killed in the town, as he is hidden behind
the church tower. Petrified with terror, he watches helplessly
as he sees his buddies being shot as they hang from their parachutes.
Henry Fonda (Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr.) plays an
officer, who is the son of ex-president Teddy Roosevelt, who doesn't
want special treatment, and finds a way to hit the beaches with
his men, and becomes a source inspiration for his men.
Despite its length, (3 hours), "The Longest Day" is
highly entertaining, offering many unforgettable scenes. My favorite
scene takes place late in the film. As a seriously wounded Burton
(Flight Officer Captain David Campbell) waits for support troops,
he speaks of his life to a lost American soldier. (A dead German
soldier lies near them.) "He's dead. I'm crippled. You're
lost. Do you suppose it's always like that? I mean war."
It's a stirring emotional moment, made especially memorable by
his wonderful speaking voice.
The film is a classic because of the excellent cast, epic war
scenes, and Oscar wining cinematography and special effects.
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