The Longest Day stars John Wayne as Lt. Col. Benjamin Vandervoort, Robert Mitchum as Brig. Gen. Norman Cota, and Henry Fonda as Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. in this epic war film about D-Day.
Main cast
- Lt. Col. Benjamin VandervoortJohn WayneMain
- Brig. Gen. Norman CotaRobert MitchumMain
- Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr.Henry FondaMain
- Flying Officer David CampbellRichard BurtonMain
Supporting cast
- Private FlanaganSean ConnerySupp
- Pvt. John J. ‘Red’ HargisRed ButtonsSupp
- Brig. Gen. James M. GavinRobert RyanSupp
- Col. Lloyd E. ‘Dinty’ MooreEddie AlbertSupp
- Captain James H. StaggJohn GregsonSupp
No matches — try another name.
About this cast
The Longest Day is a 1962 epic war film directed by Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, and Bernhard Wicki, depicting the D-Day landings from both Allied and German perspectives. Featuring an ensemble cast of international stars, the film focuses on the bravery and chaos of the invasion.
FAQs
Who plays Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Vandervoort in The Longest Day?
John Wayne portrays Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Vandervoort, the commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Is The Longest Day based on real events?
Yes, it is based on the 1959 non-fiction book by Cornelius Ryan, which meticulously chronicles the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944.
Who directed The Longest Day?
The film was directed by Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, and Bernhard Wicki, with additional sequences directed by Darryl F. Zanuck (uncredited).
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026