"You remember it. Remember every bit of it, 'cause we are on the eve of a day that people are going to talk about long after we are dead and gone." - The Longest Day
Sixty-seven years ago, to the day, Allied forces landed on a fifty mile stretch of the coast of France. Since 1940, the English Channel was all that stood between Nazi occupied France and Great Britain. However, early in the morning, the mightiest armada the world has ever known sailed from the English coast and landed at five different beaches of the French coast. The American forces at Utah and Omaha beaches, the British at Gold and Sword, and the Canadians at Juno.
The Allies succeeded in fighting their way inland and establishing bases in France. It began the
push toward Germany and the eventual fall of the Nazi power. On June 6th, General Eisenhower issued a statement to the troops embarking on this massive attack. " . . . The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world." In his pocket, he carried a statement for release in case the operation failed. It was never used.
In 1962, 20th Century Fox founder Darryl F. Zanuck produced an All-Star epic film, "The Longest Day". It featured cameos by 42 international stars, including John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Henry Fonda, Curt Jurgens, Robert Ryan, Sean Connery, Peter Lawford, and Richard Burton.
Sixty-seven years ago, to the day, Allied forces landed on a fifty mile stretch of the coast of France. Since 1940, the English Channel was all that stood between Nazi occupied France and Great Britain. However, early in the morning, the mightiest armada the world has ever known sailed from the English coast and landed at five different beaches of the French coast. The American forces at Utah and Omaha beaches, the British at Gold and Sword, and the Canadians at Juno.The Allies succeeded in fighting their way inland and establishing bases in France. It began the
push toward Germany and the eventual fall of the Nazi power. On June 6th, General Eisenhower issued a statement to the troops embarking on this massive attack. " . . . The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world." In his pocket, he carried a statement for release in case the operation failed. It was never used.In 1962, 20th Century Fox founder Darryl F. Zanuck produced an All-Star epic film, "The Longest Day". It featured cameos by 42 international stars, including John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Henry Fonda, Curt Jurgens, Robert Ryan, Sean Connery, Peter Lawford, and Richard Burton.
This has been our very favorite World War II film for years. It can't get much better than this. Well acted, well written and top notch sets and camera work! This is one war film that is worth watching over and over. They do a great job keeping up with all the different fronts and characters without making choppy film. Honestly, this film makes a great overview study of D-Day. The best single resource of the topic out there!
"Just look at it, gentlemen. How calm... how peaceful it is. A strip of water between England and the continent... between the Allies and us. But beyond that peaceful horizon... a monster waits. A coiled spring of men, ships, and planes... straining to be released against us. Believe me, gentlemen, the first 24 hours of the invasion will be decisive. For the Allies as well as the Germans, it will be the longest day... The longest day."
"Just look at it, gentlemen. How calm... how peaceful it is. A strip of water between England and the continent... between the Allies and us. But beyond that peaceful horizon... a monster waits. A coiled spring of men, ships, and planes... straining to be released against us. Believe me, gentlemen, the first 24 hours of the invasion will be decisive. For the Allies as well as the Germans, it will be the longest day... The longest day."
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