Today is the longest day of the year which means it's the first official day of summer - surely a day to be celebrated after the winter and spring we had in the eastern half of the U.S. Despite the fact of this celestial event, every time I think of "the longest day", my mind turns to Darryl Zanuck's movie The Longest Day.
The Longest Day depicts the events of D-Day during WWII, told from both the Allied and German points of view. D-Day is actually June 6th but in 1944 I am sure it was the longest day. There are several things that make this movie memorable for me. First it's in black and white which I feel focuses the viewers attention on the story and its events, and not the film and its making. Second, all French and German characters speak in their native language with subtitles in English. This brought an unexpected reality to the movie for me. Third, the film features a large ensemble cast including actors such as Richard Todd, Richard Burton, Robert Mitchum, Sean Connery, Henry Fonda, Red Buttons, Peter Lawford, John Wayne, Eddie Albert, Paul Anka, Fabian, Mel Ferrer, Roddy McDowall, Sal Mineo, George Segal, Robert Ryan, and Robert Wagner, to name only some from the English speaking cast. A number of these "stars" played roles that were virtually cameo appearances. There is no one star or even one event at the center of attention in this film, all of the events of D-Day command your attention as they all comprised this single day in history.
If you enjoy a truly good movie, based in historical reality, with exceptional direction and acting, I recommend you seek out The Longest Day. I expect you too will never hear that expression without first thinking of this film and then of what all of those soldiers went through on D-Day.
