The invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, was the wide-scale military operation of British and American troops against Hitler’s army. In fact, it was one of the most crucial moments in World War II after the defeat of German troops near Stalingrad. This predicted the German surrender at discretion and prevention of the world from the Nazi chimera.
Three movies, The Longest Day (1962), Saving Private Ryan (1999), and Band of Brothers (2002), are dedicated to the D-Day invasion in Normandy. Their plots are different. However, the atmosphere and background of the events point out the same location (Normandy, Belgium, in particular), same conditions, and same tragedy with victorious outcomes. The role of preparations for the invasion is significant in all three movies. Description of how it was implemented physically and emotionally cannot be outlined without points on soldiers’ heroism and brevity while struggling against Hitler’s forces.
In The Longest Day, the plot of the movie discovers the solidarity of British-American allied troops along with the French soldiers during the D-Day. In fact, this film directed by Darryl F. Zanuck was aimed at showing the initial difficulties of the operation due to the weather conditions. Though most of the generals thought it was a misfortune for the anti-Hitler invasion, the operation started. The director took basis for the description of the invasion from the book by Cornelius Ryan. The director tried to get closer to the events by means of letting the main characters speak in their native languages. It made an atmosphere of brotherhood between soldiers for the purpose of total destruction of Nazis. Moreover, the film is screened in classical black and white colors. It provides a viewer with emotional and mental associations concerned with World War II.
The movie Saving Private Ryan by Steven Spielberg is an improvised continuation of events description of June 6, 1944. In fact, the plot is somewhat different. However, one can see the points on humane and duty supremacy. It describes the intentions of General George C. Marshall to find out the last of four Ryan brothers. It is done during the Baker Company considered with 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne. The heroic deeds of several soldiers-paratroopers headed by Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) are illustrated at the moment when Hitler commanded German Panzer artillery oppose the troops of General Montgomery. Difficult weather conditions cut the provision of food, arms, and dry clothes for soldiers. On this background the most tragically exciting episodes take place. It considers the events on the way to Ramelle after the opening of Bastogne. The most tragic moment is when Captain Miller is fatally shot by “Steamboat Willie” (Joerg Stadler). Thus, the mission was completed for the sake of Private Ryan’s life by means of Captain Miller’s death.
Band-Brothers is another movie talking about the events of D-Day and Baker Company and 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne. Initially, this story is a representation of Stephen Ambrose’s book. It is composed in the form of ten-part miniseries. The movie was produced by S. Spielberg and T. Hanks. The main characters are paratroopers. Captain Dick Winters is the protagonist. The most exciting and tragically colored episode in the film depicts General Patton’s operation for opening Bastogne. Here the violence of description is concerned with massive deaths or serious injuries of American soldiers. The movie is more adapted to the real events owing to the experience gathered and extracted from the works and documents of those who witnessed the Baker Company. Nevertheless, the plot is concentrated on the Easy Company aimed at destructing German troops in the town of Foy, Belgium, and other locations in the near area. In this bloody massacre supported by the opposite huge army of Field Marshal von Rundstedt, several soldiers and lieutenants are struggling for the “Higher Purpose” of the whole Normand invasion.
These three movies irritate different emotional states from the part of viewers. The primordial intentions of directors in each one were considered with the manifestation and heroism provided by ordinary soldiers. In this respect, all three films do not go apart with the Hays Code. It is so because the main ideas correspond to increasing the moral state of each viewer. In fact, the invasion of Normandy that was initially supported by navy and parachute forces inquires the winning spirit in every single man. It is especially felt when taking into consideration the efforts of allied forces against two barriers: Hitler’s army (the main) and weather conditions (occasional).
All in all, one may recognize that there is the main idea in all three movies, namely: the urge for freedom. It is outlined by the heroism of every single soldier, captain, or lieutenant who sacrificed their lives for the purpose of saving other ones. This pivotal idea is supported by reliable and authoritative sources that were used for screening. Such writers as Cornelius Ryan, Stephen Ambrose and creative directors/producers as Darryl F. Zanuck, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks made historical movies more fascinating. Furthermore, they managed to come closer to viewers’ inner callings for courage, brevity and heroism.