Overview
A monumental clash of forces unfolds on the beaches of Normandy, where bravery meets chaos.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- epic
- documentary-like
- thrilling
- historical film night
- classic cinema viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an immense, authentic, visually gripping war epic with documentary-like logistical detail, while noting its episodic structure and overabundance of star cameos.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The D-Day operation is shown through American, British, Canadian, Free French, and German perspectives.
The film emphasizes logistics, military coordination, battlefield confusion, and an expansive documentary-report atmosphere.
Its central subject is the immense organization of the Normandy landings, featuring ships, planes, gliders, tanks, and infantry.
Generals and ordinary soldiers share the narrative as Allied forces struggle to leave Omaha Beach and advance inland.
Films like The Longest Day, and why
A Bridge Too Far
shared large-scale World War II combat, historical realism, ensemble perspective, and military logistics
The Battle of Britain
shared documentary-style war spectacle, multinational Allied perspectives, and emphasis on operational planning
Saving Private Ryan
shared immersive battlefield realism, historical military drama, and morally serious treatment of combat
Movie Details
- Directors
- Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Bernhard Wicki
- Release Date
- 1962-09-25
- Runtime
- 178 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (1058)
Cast
- John Wayne
- Robert Mitchum
- Henry Fonda
- Richard Burton
- Sean Connery
- Leslie Phillips
- Robert Ryan
- Paul Anka
- Wolfgang Büttner
- Mel Ferrer
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Longest Day about?
- A sweeping, multinational reconstruction of D-Day that turns military coordination, battlefield chaos, and immense human cost into monumental screen spectacle.
- What is The Longest Day like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Longest Day as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Longest Day violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Longest Day as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Longest Day?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an immense, authentic, visually gripping war epic with documentary-like logistical detail, while noting its episodic structure and overabundance of star cameos.
- Which films are like The Longest Day?
- Films with a similar feel include A Bridge Too Far, The Battle of Britain, and Saving Private Ryan.
- How long is The Longest Day?
- The Longest Day runs 178 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Longest Day?
- In United States, The Longest Day streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
