The Longest Day Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Longest Day" offers an impressive upgrade from previous home video versions, delivered in a 1080p MPEG-4 encode and 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The transfer is characterized by a clean, bright image with deep shadow delineation and enhanced detail, particularly in scenes featuring hardware, uniforms, and war-torn landscapes. Despite the occasional soft background and exaggerated effects in certain sequences, the cinematographic depth and clarity bring a visceral and engaging viewing experience. Key war scenes display significant visual improvement with more pronounced three-dimensionality, providing a more immersive experience compared to prior editions.

However, the application of Digital Noise Reduction (DNR) has proven controversial among purists and technical analysts. While it removes much of the grain that would typically contribute to the film's texture and authenticity, it also results in a waxy, plasticized look to skin textures and fine details. At times, this processing choice makes characters appear superimposed onto backgrounds, detracting from the natural depth and filmic quality of the picture. Despite these drawbacks, the contrast and black levels shine, offering dynamic range and consistency across various gray tones, contributing to a visually cohesive black-and-white presentation. Additionally, there are no significant issues with artifacts or edge enhancement.

While opinions are divided on Fox’s handling of the DNR application—some viewing it as a detrimental overreach that compromises authenticity, while others appreciate the improved clarity and clean presentation—the Blu-ray does provide the best available version of “The Longest Day” in terms of sheer visual quality. Yet, enthusiasts might lament the loss of natural film grain and its impact on the movie’s original texture and feel.

The Blu-ray release of "The Longest Day" features a DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround track that significantly enhances the film's audio presentation, despite the inherent limitations of its 1962 source material. The mix provides effective front channel activity, delivering clarity in dialogue and noticeable details in tonal characteristics. The soundscape's depth is commendable, especially when capturing battle sequences, which are rendered with a raw dynamism despite lacking modern punch. Explosive scenes exhibit respectable low-frequency output, though they could benefit from deeper resonance. Surround channels, while occasionally underutilized, do engage well during moments of heightened action and create a convincing spread behind the listener amidst frontal chaos.

While the track excels in presenting period-appropriate sound effects like gunfire and ricochets, it does have some shortcomings. The soundstage remains mostly front-heavy, reducing the sense of immersion compared to contemporary war films. Some scenes fail to fully leverage rear speaker aggression, which could have enriched the command center's bustling atmosphere or intensified distant background noises. Nonetheless, the sound design remains true to the original material, offering a historically faithful experience. Dialogue is crisp and well-prioritized, ensuring that critical conversations remain clear amidst the cacophony of war.

Ultimately, this DTS-HD MA 5.1 track stands out as the best audio presentation "The Longest Day" has received to date. Although it doesn't match the dynamic range or immersive qualities of modern soundtracks, it successfully revitalizes a classic war film with careful attention to directional audio and impactful yet measured LFE elements. For fans of historical epics, this audio remastering is both a significant improvement over past releases and a respectful nod to the film's original sound design.

The Blu-ray release of "The Longest Day" is richly supplemented with an array of deeply engaging extras. The commentary tracks are notable highlights; Mary Corey, a UCLA professor, provides a detailed, historically nuanced track that balances factual accuracy with film trivia, while co-director Ken Annakin offers anecdotes and insights from his personal involvement in the film’s production. Multiple documentaries explore various facets of the film and its historical context, with the standout being "The Longest Day: A Salute to Courage," narrated by Burt Reynolds. However, some features such as "D-Day Revisited" present overlapping information and can feel redundant. Overall, the assortment of extras provides substantial value and extensive insight into both the production and the impact of this classic war film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Filmmaker’s Commentary: Insights from co-director Ken Annakin.
• Historical Commentary: Detailed track by Mary Corey, UCLA professor.
• A Day to Remember: Ken Annakin discusses making the film.
• The Longest Day: A Salute to Courage: Documentary on the real D-Day events.
• Backstory: The Longest Day: Focuses on Darryl Zanuck’s role.
• D-Day Revisited: 1968 documentary with behind-the-scenes footage.
• Darryl F. Zanuck: A Dream Fulfilled: Richard Zanuck on his father’s career.
• Still gallery: Production, behind-the-scenes, concept art, marketing photos.
• Original theatrical trailer: Includes trailers for "Patton" and "Tora! Tora! Tora!"

"The Longest Day" stands as a monumental achievement in the portrayal of WWII, enhanced by a stellar cast including John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and Sean Connery. The film intricately details the D-Day invasion from multiple viewpoints – American, British, German, and French – creating a rich tapestry of perspectives and strategies that led to this pivotal moment in history. Utilizing a semi-documentary approach, it balances sweeping battle sequences with intimate, character-driven vignettes. The transition between the segments by directors Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, and Bernhard Wicki is remarkably smooth, ensuring continuity in style and narrative.

The historical authenticity of "The Longest Day" is augmented by the use of native languages and consultation from actual military personnel who participated in the Normandy landings. The film meticulously recreates the complex set pieces and tactical maneuvers, although it retains a certain theatricality typical of its era – soldiers dramatizing their deaths more than one would see in contemporary depictions of war. However, this doesn’t detract from its impact. Instead, it contributes to its status as a Hollywood classic, focusing on both the overarching strategies and the human element within these grand historical events.

While the film’s extensive scope is impressive, it sometimes leads to pacing issues and an overwhelming number of subplots and characters. This can make it difficult for viewers to remain engaged throughout its entire length. Yet, its broad narrative offers a comprehensive look at D-Day that is valuable for history enthusiasts and fans of classic cinema. Despite its occasional disjointedness, "The Longest Day" remains an essential war film, blending large-scale production with poignant individual moments. The film stands as both an epic historical document and a piece of nostalgic storytelling that captures the heroism and strategic brilliance of one of WWII’s most significant days.

"The Longest Day" remains a seminal war epic, retaining its status as a top-tier film in the genre even decades after its release. The movie merges intelligent, behind-the-scenes storytelling akin to "The Great Raid" with the relentless action of "Black Hawk Down," though less graphically intense. This synthesis creates an exceptionally engaging narrative that both war movie aficionados and casual viewers will appreciate. 20th Century Fox's Blu-ray release endeavors to honor the film's legacy with a transfer that purportedly feels grandiose and visually impressive.

Despite its merits, "The Longest Day" on Blu-ray features some notable shortcomings. While the supplemental materials are exhaustive and intriguing, and the DTS HD MA audio track offers marked improvements over previous versions, the video transfer suffers significantly. The application of Digital Noise Reduction (DNR) results in a rubbery texture that detracts from the viewing experience. This visual issue undermines the grandeur of the original film, leading to a perception of inconsistency in quality that may disappoint purists and casual viewers alike.

In conclusion, although "The Longest Day" is undeniably one of the greatest war movies ever made, the Blu-ray edition falls short due to its problematic video transfer. With comprehensive supplemental materials and enhanced audio, it still offers value, but potential buyers would be wise to rent it first. If visual fidelity is a priority, this edition may not meet expectations, but it remains a worthy possession for those who prioritize content over technical perfection.