The Longest Day is a re creation of the D-Day invasion. Whenever
possible, the original locations were utilized, and an all star
international cast impersonates the people involved, from high ranking
officials to ordinary GIs. Each actor speaks in his or her native
language with subtitles translating for the benefit of the audience
(alternate 'takes' were made of each scene with the foreign actors
speaking English, but these were seen only during the first network
telecast of the film in 1972). The stars are listed alphabetically, with
the exception of John Wayne, who as Lt. Colonel Vandervoort gets
separate billing. Others in the huge cast include Eddie Albert,
Jean-Louis Barrault, Richard Burton, Red Buttons, Sean Connery, Henry
Fonda, Gert Frobe, Curt Jurgens, Peter Lawford, Robert Mitchum, Kenneth
More, Edmond O'Brien, Robert Ryan, Jean Servais, Rod Steiger and Robert
Wagner. Paul Anka, who wrote the film's title song, shows up as an Army
private. Scenes include the Allies parachuting into Ste. Mere Englise,
where the paratroopers were mowed down by German bullets; a real life
sequence wherein the German and Allied troops unwittingly march side by
side in the dark of night; and a spectacular three minute overhead shot
of the troops fighting and dying in the streets of Quistreham. The last
major black and white road show attraction.