a5c7b9f00b Tells the story of the D-Day invasion of Normandy in WWII. There are dozens of characters, some seen only briefly, who together weave the story of five separate invasion points that made up the operation. England in June 1944. Unseasonal storms. Allied troops are massed ready for the invasion of France, some already on the boats. The Normandy beaches will be their destination while paratroopers are dropped inland to take key towns and bridges. On the other side of the Channel the Germans still expect the invasion at Calais, and anyway the weather makes them think nothing is likely to be imminent. Eisenhower decides to go. Hitler sleeps on. This is 1960's Hollywood as history, the film is dated and not particularly well done on any level of reality, either story or history; I like the film Overlord much better for experiencing the invasion on a personal level and find either the earlier sequences of Saving Private Ryan or the Band of Brothers does a much more credible job for the landing sequences. Still, the movie has merit. I like the movie but am very aware of the limitations. I am particularly drawn to the astonishment of the German Officer on the coast discovering the invasion - it is a great scene. Enjoy the film , but understand it's Hollywood and not particularly close to reality in the details. Of all war films this is perhaps one if not the best of its kind. The scale of the project, the actors, and the general depiction of the different countries and people involved make this a 'sure fire' winner. The film in comparison to say Saving Private Ryan is not a single layered narrative, unnecessarily emotional or utterly ignorant that other countries other than America actually participated, it even notes that Britain were in the war before America!!!! Perhaps this film does not have the special effects that Private Ryan does have (to its credit)but this aside it certainly makes up for it in every other area. The sheer fact that this was the most expensive black and white movie until Schindler's list is testament to that. The advisers on this film were actually there and helped draw the plans themselves, yes it is a drama, but when considering history please don't disregard fact for the want of a better plot (Spielberg) If you like war movies then this is the king of the genre, if you have never seen a war movies or dislike them, this may just about change your mind. All I will say is that "this is Rupert, and he is a diversion". God Save the King etc. Knocking on the door of 10 out of 10.
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366 weeks ago