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A classic war film with so many stars that such a cast would be impossible in modern times. It plods along dutifully covering the tension of the pre invasion build up, naming various historical characters , in fact so many that character develop is impossible and you feel like sitting there with a biography of World War two in your lap.
A heavy drum beat sound track adds menace but does wear after a bit. It does a commendable job of covering as many places on the battlefield as possible even giving time to the efforts of the French Resistance and the frustration of the German commanders.
The action sequences are excellent for its period but don’t hold up to modern films like Saving Private Ryan. Such a comparison between the two films is unfair as it is easy to forget they are separated by many decades and the scale is very different. Originally in black and white a coloured version is available, some versions cut out half the subtitles for the German conversations which is annoying. Still a definitive war film and a must for any collection.