Published
Video length: 4 min
80 years of the D-Day landings: a look back at the cult film “Longest Day”, filmed in Normandy
The American film “The Longest Day” mobilized the French and German governments as well as several French and American actors. It was notably filmed in Normandy.
(France 2)
The American film “The Longest Day” mobilized the French and German governments as well as several French and American actors. It was notably filmed in Normandy.
The work is historic. Titled Longest dayin French, The longest dayit dates from 1962. The Hollywood film industry has set itself the goal of bringing to viewers works that changed the course of history. “Here London, the French talk to the French”. The musical theme is legendary. Three hours of cinema to experience the Landing of June 6, 1944. The historical reconstruction was produced without archive images. 20,000 extras took part.
In 1961, director Darryl Zanuck began filming in Corsica, on the Île de Ré and then in Normandy. The French and German governments lent him soldiers, planes and boats. The making of the film lasted between eight to ten months. The cast includes Richard Burton, Robert Mitchum, John Wayne and Sean Connery. Arletty and Bourvil also star in the film. A film that cost more than ten million dollars.
