The Longest Day is a 1962 war movie produced by Darryl F. Zanuck Productions, Inc. and directed by Ken Annarkin, Andrew Marton, and Bernhard Wicki. The film tells the story of the Normandy Battle, which took place in 1944 and aimed to liberate France from Germany’s grasp. The Battle involved the contribution of the UK, the US, and Canada, with the plot of the movie revolving around the complexity and challenges of the war.
Synopsis
The Longest Day sets its plot in the context of World War II, where Marsekal Erwin Rommel, the leader of Battalion B of the German army, gives orders to his troops to place mines and barricades along the Normandy beach. Despite the six million mines they installed, Rommel considers them insufficient to safeguard their lines, particularly given the Allies’ well-prepared strategy and navy personnel.
Things change when Gunther, the leader of the German occupation forces in France, receives information from Berlin that the Allies plan to launch a counter-attack within 24 hours. After struggling to understand radio broadcasts, the Germans suspect that the weather, which is windy at the time, could be used to prepare for a surprise attack.
On the Allied side, Colonel Benjamin Vandervoort of the US Air Force is entrusted with the mission of landing troops and scattering them in Normandy. Despite bad weather including heavy rain, Vandervoort remains committed to the plan. Thousands of US army forces are waiting to bring the battle to the Germans, with the Royal Air Force waiting for a go signal to launch their attack.
The Allied forces, including France, the US, and the UK, gather to determine the best timing to launch a massive attack on Normandy. Finally, they decide to launch it on June 6 after it was postponed from June 4. The troops need to be sent quickly, as any delaying tactic could harm morale and intimidate the troops of the US, who are rapidly being moved to Normandy.
They come up with a plan to send tanks, warships, minesweepers, and military planes, which will form the largest army ever seen. The RAF is tasked with controlling the Orne river to pave the way for the Allied forces to take over Normandy. They plan to land the planes on the bridge of the Orne River without any land support.
Despite facing fierce resistance from the Germans, the Allied forces successfully manage to land and takeover Orne River’s bridge within 15 minutes. The German forces were caught off-guard, believing that the attack would be launched the following day due to the bad weather.
Conclusion
The Longest Day provides a wealth of insight into the complexity of the Normandy Battle, highlighting the various challenges faced by both the German and the Allied forces. The movie expertly captures the tension and uncertainty surrounding the mission and brings to life the courage and bravery of those who fought in the intense battle. The Longest Day remains a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences and inspire admiration for the unwavering commitment of the soldiers who helped shape history.
