The Longest Day

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1:46

The Longest Day

G

Released Sep 25, 1962

3h 0m

War

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

90%

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25,000+ Ratings

In 1944, the U.S. Army and Allied forces plan a huge invasion landing in Normandy, France. Despite bad weather, General Eisenhower gives the okay and the Allies land at Normandy. General Norma Cota (Robert Mitchum) travels with his men onto Omaha Beach. With much effort, and lost life, they get off the beach, traveling deep into French territory. The German military, due to arrogance, ignorance and a sleeping Adolf Hitler, delay their response to the Allied landing, with crippling results.

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Variety Staff

Variety

A solid and stunning war epic.

Sep 10, 2008

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Over-long and laden with the usual national stereotypes.

Jun 24, 2006

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

It is hard to think of a picture, aimed and constructed as this one was, doing any more or any better or leaving one feeling any more exposed to the horror of war than this one does.

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Jana Monji

Age of the Geek

The year this film came out, there were complaints about a lack of diversity and in 2024, the lack of diversity is less forgivable and makes this depiction of D-Day dated.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 21, 2024

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

The Longest Day is an ambitious film and it shows in its efforts to recreate the Normandy invasion on D-Day.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 6, 2024

Full Review

Dwight MacDonald

Esquire Magazine

Whatever his talent as a producer, Mr. Zanuck is no director. I'm sure he is an ardent patriot, but he has, quite unconsciously, made our own colonels and generals look rather silly.

Aug 9, 2019

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Nick E

A solid war epic that's sure to be entertaining for John Wayne fans.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

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Natalie R

John Wayne made a lot of fabulous films, but this one is as magnificent as "In Harms Way". But not as long. 😃

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/17/25

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Jim M

The expository dialogue is painful to listen to.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

Full Review

Bomb City B

The Longest Day is the all-time top movie for D-Day..!! Made in the 1960's and in black-n-white, it tops SPR as the go-to movie for historical accuracy.. Too many 'reviewers' here have no connections to WWII, no clue as to the actual history behind D-Day, and their reviews are full of nonsensical mush over a movie reflecting only the tale of a small-unit action rather than the broad scope of the entire battle..!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/19/25

Full Review

Farah R

It's no Saving Private Ryan, but considering it was released decades ago, one can appreciate the outstanding special effects and cinematography.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/12/25

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Carlos M

It's one of the worst war movies I've ever seen, with imbecilic acting and exaggerated hysterical moments and scenes. I can't recommend it, but for anyone looking to watch a great war movie, just stop here and go watch 'Saving Private Ryan' instead.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/26/24

Full Review

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Ken Annakin

Director

Andrew Marton

Director

Bernhard Wicki

Director

John Wayne

Lt. Col. Benjamin Vandervoort

Robert Mitchum

Brig. Gen. Norman Cota

Henry Fonda

Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

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The Longest Day: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In 1944, the U.S. Army and Allied forces plan a huge invasion landing in Normandy, France. Despite bad weather, General Eisenhower gives the okay and the Allies land at Normandy. General Norma Cota (Robert Mitchum) travels with his men onto Omaha Beach. With much effort, and lost life, they get off the beach, traveling deep into French territory. The German military, due to arrogance, ignorance and a sleeping Adolf Hitler, delay their response to the Allied landing, with crippling results.

Director: Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Bernhard Wicki
Producer: Darryl F Zanuck
Screenwriter: Cornelius Ryan
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Rating: G
Genre: War, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 25, 1962, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 3h 0m

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