When Allied forces arrived on the coast of northern France on June 6, 1944, it was the greatest amphibious invasion in history and it completely altered the direction of human history. Thus, it should come as no surprise that it has an impact on the big screen.
In honor of D-Day’s 80th anniversary, we’re reviewing 13 of the most well-known movie adaptations and, with the assistance of three eminent historians, assisting you in selecting the finest of the lot.
The historians are Paul Woodadge, a British D-Day historian, YouTuber, and self-described “D-Day nerd” who has written two books about the Second World War, including Angels of Mercy.
American military historian Joseph Balkoski is the author of eight books about the Second World War, including Omaha Beach: D-Day. Dr. Peter Caddick-Adams is a British military historian and the author of several books, including Sand & Steel: A New History of D-Day.
AVAILABLE: D-Day June sixth, 1956.
PURPOSE: Dana Wynter, Richard Todd, and Robert Taylor in a romantic comedy
PLOT: A traditional love triangle in which an American paratrooper and a British lieutenant vie for the affection of the same woman.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW: Just eighty extras were used for the D-Day scenes, which were shot in California. The idea was to create the impression of twice as many men on the beach by effectively projecting a different take of the same action into the background.
