The Longest Day Overview:

The Longest Day (1962) was a Action - Drama Film directed by Ken Annakin and Andrew Marton and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and Elmo Williams.

Academy Awards 1962 --- Ceremony Number 35 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Ted Haworth, Leon Barsacq, Vincent Korda; Set Decoration: Gabriel BechirNominated
Best CinematographyJean Bourgoin, Walter Wottitz, (Henri Persin)Won
Best Film EditingSamuel E. BeetleyNominated
Best PictureDarryl F. Zanuck, ProducerNominated
.

BlogHub Articles:

The Longest Day (1962)

By Beatrice on Aug 15, 2017 From Flickers in Time

The Longest Day Directed by Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton and Bernhard Wicki Written by Cornelius Ryan et al from Ryan’s book 1962/USA Darryl F. Zanuck Production/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation First viewing/Netflix Instant Yet another 1962 movie for my “Ten Favorite New-to-Me Fi... Read full article


The Soldier on the Bell Tower in The Longest Day

By Amanda Garrett on Jun 6, 2015 From Old Hollywood Films

Today marks the 71st anniversary of allied invasion of Europe on June 6, 1944. The 1962 film The Longest Day tells the story of many soldiers and civilians who participated in D-Day, including Pvt. John Steele (above), a paratrooper who is played by Red Buttons in one of the movie's most memorable s... Read full article


The Longest Day: Actors who fought in D-Day

on Jun 6, 2014 From Comet Over Hollywood

Seventy years ago today, Allied forces stormed Omaha Beach in the Normandy Invasion, known as D-Day. A few of those soldiers were established actors?or later pursued a career in Hollywood. Here are a few of those men that served in D-Day: Lt Col David Niven, Royal Marine Commando, Normandy 1944 Davi... Read full article


The Henry Fonda Collection: The Longest Day (1962), The Grapes of Wrath (1940) & Overall Thoughts – Father’s Day Gift Guide

on Jun 4, 2013 From Journeys in Classic Film

The Longest Day is a three-hour opus following all the events leading up to and in execution of D-Day. This 1962 docudrama has the distinction of being the most expensive black and white film made at the time (it would be ousted by Schindler’s List).? At a diffuse three-hours the title isn... Read full article


The Longest Day

By Alyson on Nov 30, 2010 From The Best Picture Project

Many of my generation have grandfathers who served in WWII. ?Each have their individual stories, whether they were in the Pacific, Europe or just waiting. ?My Papa never talked about it, but he was one of the thousands of men who stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. ?Knowing that has always sen... Read full article


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Quotes from

Capt. Colin Maud: [pointing] The war's over there!


Maj. John Howard: [charging the Orne River Bridge] Up the Ox and Bucks! Up the Ox and Bucks!


Capt. Colin Maud: [walking up to a stalled vehicle] My old grandmother used to say anything mechanical, give it a good bashing.
[Hits hood with his swagger stick]
Capt. Colin Maud: Try it now.
[vehicle cranks]
Private Flanagan: [to Clough] Sure, now; that did it.
[notices Maud looks at him]
Private Flanagan: Ah, now that's what I call a hell of a man!
Pvt. Clough: Aye, I like his dog too.
Capt. Colin Maud: Move inland. The war's that way.


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Facts about

In researching his contribution to the script, Romain Gary uncovered one of Cornelius Ryan's mistakes: the casino at Ouistreham had not existed on June 6, 1944. Since the casino set had already been built, however, the scene taking place there was filmed anyway.
Richard Todd (playing Major John Howard, Officer Commanding D Company of The 2nd Battalion The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Air Landing Brigade, 6th Airborne Division) was himself in Normandy on D-Day, and participated as Capt. Todd of the 7th Parachute Battalion, 5th Parachute Brigade, British 6th Airborne Division. His battalion actually went into action as reinforcements, via a parachute jump (after the gliders had landed and completed the initial coup de main assault). Capt. Richard 'Sweeney' Todd was moved from the plane he was originally scheduled to jump from, to another. The original plane was shot down, killing everyone on board.
Just before shooting began in Corsica, Darryl F. Zanuck was approached by a man stating he represented the beach owners. He insisted on a $15,000 payment or else they would drive modern cars along the beach. Zanuck paid the money, but it was later discovered to be a scam as there were no private beaches in Corsica. Zanuck eventually won damages after an eight-year lawsuit.
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Best Cinematography Oscar 1962











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Also directed by Ken Annakin




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Also produced by Darryl F. Zanuck




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Also released in 1962




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