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 - My favorite war movieOther than the James Bonds, this is my favorite film and my favorite war film. I remember seeing it at my local theater at age 13 in 1963, a year after its first run reserved-seat engagement on Broadway. I watch it every June 6th. and have yet to tire of it. Starring John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Henry Fonda, Richard Burton and a pre-Dr. No, Sean Connery, among numerous others. (The only film I can think of with a better cast is probably "How the West Was Won.) The film had three directors and the massive action sequences are still breathtaking: The 82nd. airborne division disasterous drop in German-occupied Ste. Mere Eglise, the 2 Luftwaffe plans strafing the 2 British beaches, the Ranger division's incredible attack of the German-held Pointe du Hoc and especially, the French Commando raid on the french town of Ouestram with one long several minute helicoptor shot that has to be seen to be believed. (Like other films of this period the end-credits are shockingly short. Today the credits on a film of this size would last ten minutes.) I have this film on video and DVD. While it was nice that they added a few extra features on its most recent DVD release, I truly wish they could have located a few deleted scenes. (You can see a scene not in the film briefly in the trailer included.) In 1994, on the 50th anniversary of D-Day, a colorized version of this film was released on video, (the film is in black and white.) The colorized version was pretty good and should have been included with the recent DVD and blu-ray release. This film lost the best picture Oscar to "Lawrence of Arabia" and amazingly only won 2 technical Oscars. While Lawrence is a great film also, "The Longest Day" is a greater and more important achievement and it continues to annoy me to this day that it did not win the best picture Oscar. If you have never seen this incredibly epic and well-made film, you should grab the DVD or blu-ray as soon as possible, you won't be dissappointed. Rating:  - Action war movie with all star cast.Enjoyed this War movie, but it is in black and white. It does have an all star cast. It has great action and fine actors through out the movie. It is on blu-ray with great picture detail but sound is not quite 5.1 nor is it colorized. I think it should be remastered with color (colorized) and with 5.1 sound added. Thus it is why I rate it at 3 out of 5. Rating:  - Why oh Why is this Region LockedI find it incredible that a film that was made in 1962 and is about how our two country's came together in battle has been released with the Region locked, what justification can there be, that the US gets the film, but we in Europe can't buy it, I can understand if it was a new film but come on, made in 1962, a film about europe, stars many european stars of the day, a conflict we shared but I can't buy it in the UK, this stinks, so much for investing in Blue-Ray at least HDDVD was region free. Rating: - the longest day This is a great film for the events that happened on D-Day. I wish they had John Wayne in the 101st, oh well still a great movie Rating: - Arguably the best war movie ever madeSome critics agree with me -- this is one of the very best. I first time I saw this movie was shortly after it was released, and it continues to hold my attention 40+ years later. While some may think it's boring, not enough action ... well, that's the way war is. This movie shows the complicated planning and thought that went into the D-Day invasion. The hours upon hours of boredom. And then suddenly, you get the word to go. There is confusion, stupidity, heroism ... it shows it all. Many, many of the accounts in this movie are true to history. These were ordinary men on all sides who were caught up in history. The casting is terrific. My personal favorite is Kenneth More (and his dog). But others are outstanding - as usual - Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Eddie Arnold, and of course, John Wayne. For those who question The Duke's acting ability, just watch his reaction at seeing the paratroopers hanging from trees. That's acting. Other notable performances are Red Buttons, Robert Wagner, Richard Burton, Sal Mineo and Jeffrey Hunter. But be prepared: with a cast this size, some of them come and go before you realize it. And it's one of the last classic black and white films. As a history and war movie buff, that is a big plus.
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