Movies

Invariably compared with "Saving Private Ryan" (SPR), this scores over the more modern work because of the focus on all the major sides of the action (British, American, French and German).All languages are used (with subtitles as appropriate - eg the Germans speak in German, etc).While true that the battle scenes are not gory as SPR's, and that the sounds of battle are muted during the dialog (unlike SPR's), it should be borne in mind that in '62, the audience rating of the time *was* a General Release ("G" in the US, "A" in the UK (I'm guessing for the UK, but it is now PG)) - which more detail would not have allowed.I think part of the purpose of this film is to allow *everyone* to see what happened 18 years before!

THE LONGEST DAY is one of the if not the greatest World War II movie epics. However, it is unfair to compare it to Steven Spielberg's SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. To do so would really be comparing apples and oranges. Spielberg's movie was meant to convey the gore and horror of war and succeeded quite admirably. In THE LONGEST DAY, which was shot in semi-documentary style, Zanuck's intent was to show the monumental effort involved, on the part of the allies, in mounting a successful cross channel invasion. In that regard this film also succeeded quite admirably. It should be regarded more as a history lesson rather than as simply dramatic entertainment. The historical value of the film far outweighs any minor dramatic licenses taken by Zanuck.

"The Longest Day" is an American black-and-white film of 178 minutes running time in a documentary style disclosing the hours of tension before the D-Day at Normandy in the Allies side in England and the German command in France. The impressive cast speaking English, German and French is amazing and maybe the greatest attraction of this film. The action scenes (in 1962) of the Normandy Landing are diminished by "Saving Private Ryan" (1998), but are still great. "The Longest Day" was the winner Best Cinematography, Black-and-White in the Oscar and Golden Globe and winner of the Best Effects, Special Effects in the Oscar and nominated in several categories of several awards, including the Oscar and Golden Globe. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): "O Mais Longo dos Dias" ("The Longest Day")