The Longest Day (1962). A colorized version of this film, in pan/scan 4:3 ratio, was released on VHS in 1994, the 50th anniversary of the invasion, but met with. Apr 28, 2004  The longest Day? Color version? Discussion in 'DVD' started. I also prefer B&W over colorization, just that I heard from a friend that the film has been colorized that I want to see the effect of it. Thanks for the answer anyway! One of the main reasons I've read for filming The Longest Day in b/w was so they can integrate a lot of b/w.

The Longest Day is a 1962 epic war film based on 's 1959 book (1959) about the landings at Normandy on June 6, 1944, during World War II. The film was produced by, who paid author Ryan $175,000 for the film rights. The screenplay was by Ryan, with additional material written by,, David Pursall, and Jack Seddon. It was directed by (British and French exteriors), (American exteriors), and (German scenes). The Longest Day was made in black and white and features a large ensemble cast including,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.

Many of these actors played roles that were essentially cameo appearances. In addition, several cast members had seen action as servicemen during the war, including Fonda, Genn, More, Steiger, and Todd; Todd was among the first British officers to land in Normandy in, and he participated in the assault on. The film employed several Axis and Allied military consultants who had been actual participants on D-Day, and many had their roles re-enacted in the film. These included (a former German general), (an American general), (Deputy Chief of Staff at ), (who led the airborne assault on the ), (who commanded the 1st Special Service Brigade), (who led his men in the assault on ), (who commanded the in the invasion), (a German general), (the major who was the first German officer to see the invasion fleet), (the hot-headed pilot), and Lucie Rommel (widow of Field Marshal ). The film won two Academy Awards and was nominated for three others.

A colorized version of this film was released on VHS in 1994, the 50th anniversary of the invasion. In The Longest Day • actively sought the role of Lt. Col., but the last-minute decision of to take the role prevented Heston's participation. At 55, Wayne was 28 years older than Vandervoort at the time of action (and 10 years older in real life). All the other major actors accepted $25,000 as payment, but Wayne insisted on $250,000 to punish Zanuck for referring to him as 'poor John Wayne' regarding Wayne's problems with his lavish film.

• Zanuck hired more than 2,000 serving soldiers for the film as extras. Kaffeekanne's () name is German for 'coffee pot', which he always carries. • was the piper who accompanied to Normandy with his bagpipes, and it is a common misconception that he played himself in the film. He was actually portrayed by Pipe Major Leslie de Laspee, the official piper to the in 1961. • In, from the (played by ) has been memorialized by the local population with a dummy hanging from a parachute from the church tower on which he accidentally landed.

• played Maj., leader of the British airborne assault on the, and Todd himself took part in the real bridge assault on D-Day. He was offered the chance to play himself but took the part of Maj. Howard instead. • Joseph Lowe landed on and scaled the cliffs at on D-Day.

He repeated the climb for the cameras 17 years later as a serving member of the who provided US Army extras. • Former President was considered for the role of himself in the film, and he indicated his willingness.

However, it was decided that makeup artists couldn't make him appear young enough to play his World War II self. The role of Gen. Eisenhower went to, a set decorator with no acting experience but who had been in the film industry since the mid-1930s. He was a dead ringer for the younger Eisenhower, though his voice differed. • The film marked the last film appearance of before he was cast in the role of. Kaffeekanne) and (Gen.

) later played Bond villains ( ) and ( ) respectively. Connery played Maj. In the 1977 film, which was also based on a by Cornelius Ryan.

Likewise, played Maj. Max Pemsel in The Longest Day and Field Marshal in A Bridge Too Far.

• was originally signed to play the role of Gen. But withdrew due to a scheduling conflict. • According to the 2001 documentary: The Film That Changed Hollywood, and were so bored having not been used for several weeks while filming in Rome that they phoned Zanuck begging to do 'anything' on his film. They flew themselves to the location and each did a day's filming for their cameos for free. Release [ ] The film premiered in France on September 25, 1962, followed by the United States on October 4 and 23 for the United Kingdom. Because Fox was suffering with the financial losses of Cleopatra, the studio intended that The Longest Day should have a to reap quick profits. Zanuck forced them to do a proper, even threatening to sell distribution to if Fox had refused to do so.