It is hard to believe that just 67 years ago, on June 6th 1944, thousands of soldiers rushed the shores of Normandy in the battle of what is now known as “D-Day”.
In honor of their sacrifice ~ I decided to watch a classic film called D-Day, The Sixth of June.
Director: Henry Koster
Production Company: Twentieth Century Fox Films
Cast:
Capt. Brad Parker ~ Robert Taylor
Lt. Col. John Wynter ~ Richard Todd
Valerie Russell ~ Dana Wynter
Overview:
The film takes place during WWII. It opens to a scene of soldiers, lined up, uniforms pressed with identical stoic expressions. Lt. Colonel Wynter (Todd), exuding confidence, is addressing a room of men, laying out a mission that would surely call for courage. At the end of the address, Captain Parker (Taylor) exits the small quarters and descends out onto the deck of a ship. The moon is high above, glimmering down as multiple ships cross the waters, approaching the beach of Normandy.
Deep in reflection, Captain Parker leans across the railing and begins to reminisce of a girl named Valerie Russell, who he had left back in London. Although the Captain is married, away from his wife for years, had recently met an engaged woman who was volunteering to work with the Red Cross during the war and had fallen in love.
Ironically, on a different side of the ship, Lt. Colonel was also reflecting on his dear love as the ship approached the sandy shores of Normandy; surprise, his fiancée’ is none other than Ms. Valerie Russell.
Caught in a love triangle, the film jumps back in time to show each man’s point of view in the experiences of falling for this girl.
The remaining 45 minutes depicts the bravery each soldier exhibited on this day 67 years ago as they stormed the beach against gunfire, cannons and grenades.
Definitely a classic-must-see. If you have Netflix Instant ~ you can check it out tonight like I did 🙂
Review The Reel 