War-action movies are timeless! That’s why people love watching The Longest Day the present date. I am sure you must have also watched it. Are you wondering where was The Longest Day filmed? Well, you need not wonder anymore because I have noted all the filming locations for you. Keep reading to check them out!
You’ll be surprised to know that the plot was not intended for a movie. The producer paid $175,000 to the writer to get filming rights. After acquiring the rights, the makers made some additions with the help of Romain Gray, Jack Seddon, and James Jones. To give the movie an authentic look, the directors got in touch with allied military consultants whose roles were recreated in the movie.
It’s to unveil the plot and exciting locations. But before we touch on the basic premise, let’s find out where was The Longest Day filmed!
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Where Was The Longest Day Filmed? Locations You Cannot Forget!
The filming of The Longest Day commenced in March and went on till June 1962. The makers used extras to capture fighting sequences. Also, the movie was shot in a docudrama style. All the unexpected expenses took the budget to $10 million, making The Longest Day a high-budget movie of its time. Apart from this, traveling to multiple locations also drained the pockets of the makers. But all this paid them off!
The entire shooting of The Longest Day took place at various locations in France. Let’s have a look at where was The Longest Day filmed!
Sainte-Mere-Eglise, Manche
The sequences during the fight when you saw parachutes landing in the village were filmed at Sainte-Mere-Eglise. While speaking to the cameras, the director shared that filming these sequences was one of the toughest tasks for the entire production unit.
This location is a commune located in the northwest French department of Manche. This place features many traces of the original battle that took place here.
Ile de Ré, Charente-Maritime
You saw Ile de Re as the Omaha beach in the movie. This location was selected to make the sequence look natural and perfect. Luckily, the production unit managed to wrap up shooting on time without facing any issues.
Today, this island on the Atlantic coast is known for its salt marshes, beaches, and pine trees. So, you can visit the island anytime to relive some of your favorite scenes in the movie.
Château de Chantilly, Oise
Chateau de Chantilly was the location where you saw the commanders planning the war. The reason behind selecting this place was to add authenticity to the plot. This location had a perfect setup and not many changes were made to it.
Known as a historical building in France, Château de Chantilly is one of the famous tourist spots in France. It’s a perfect place to visit if you want to have a look at France’s history.
Benouville, Calvados
Benouville served as a perfect filming location to shoot many pivotal fighting sequences. This was another commune that impressed the makers. Also, it helped in making the sequences look close to the real incident.
You can surely explore this commune and explore many historical buildings. People across the world visit this place to learn various facts about D-Day.
Fox Boulogne Studios, Boulogne-Billancourt
Some sequences which were unable to shoot at real-life locations were shot at Fox Boulogne Studios. The makers designed stages according to the need of the plot. For this, they even appointed a special team of artists.
Sadly, you can’t visit it because the studio has been demolished. But you can definitely browse internet to check out its pictures.
Rivedoux-Plage, Ile de Re
Rivedoux-Plage was the last commune used by the makers to shoot the concluding sequences. Many residential and commercial areas of this commune were used to film the movie. According to locals, the production team revamped many areas to make them look perfect.
Today, this commune has been transformed into a popular tourist place. You might fight many small fishing spots adding more to the beauty of this place.
Plot Of The Longest Day | What’s It About?
The longest day has been sourced from a non-fiction book of the same name written by Cornelius Ryan.
The central plot of the movie revolves around D-Day’s landings at Normandy (a real incident). The movie starts with both rival sides waiting for the weather to get normal so that they can attack each other. The supreme commander decides to get the weather reports and figure out where the invasion might take place.
In the next scenes, you get to see the early hours of June 6, D-Day. Both sides try to infiltrate each other’s area so that they can have an idea of what’s going to happen next. The British troops try to save the Pegasus Bridge while the French remain busy with making strategies. Amidst all this, you get to see parachutes dropping near the Nomadic beaches. Watch the movie soon to know who wins the battle!
Final Words
I hope you have noted down all the locations to learn where was The Longest Day filmed. Now that you know all about the locations, you can share about the same with your friends and family members. If you want to know some more locations, read where was Baywatch filmed today!
Who Are The Cast Members Of The Longest Day?
The cast members of The Longest Day are John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Steve Forrest, Richard Burton, Henry Fonda, Peter Lawford, Red Buttons, and many more.
Who Are The Directors Of The Longest Days?
The Directors of The Longest Days are Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, and Bernhard Wicki.
When Did The Longest Days Premiere?
The Last Days premiered in France on September 25, 1962, and on October 4, 1962 in the United States Of America.
What Was The Critical Response For The Longest Days?
The movie received lots of praise and appreciation for its style.
Did The Longest Days Receive Any Award?
Yes, The Longest Days won two Academy Awards and was nominated for three categories.
What’s The Duration Of The Longest Days?
The Longest Days is 178 minutes long.
