The film is shot in the style of a docudrama (with subtitles identifying the different participants), beginning in the days leading up to D-Day. It concentrates on events on both sides of the channel, such as the Allies waiting for a break in the poor weather and anticipating the reaction of the Axis forces defending northern France. The film pays particular attention to Gen. Eisenhower's decision to go, as Supreme Commander of SHAEF, after reviewing the initial reports of bad weather and reports about the divisions within the German High Command as to where an invasion might happen or what their response should be. Numerous scenes document the early hours of June 6 when Allied airborne troops were sent in to take key locations inland from the beaches. The French resistance is also shown reacting to the news that an invasion has started. The Longest Day chronicles most of the important events surrounding D-Day, including the British glider missions to secure Pegasus Bridge, the counterattacks launched by American paratroopers scattered around Sainte-Mère-Église, the infiltration and sabotage work conducted by the French resistance and SOE agents, and the response by the Wehrmacht to the invasion and the uncertainty of German commanders as to whether it was a feint in preparation for crossings at the Strait of Dover (see Operation Fortitude), where the senior German staff had always assumed that it would be. Set-piece scenes include the parachute drop into Sainte-Mère-Église, the advance inshore from the Normandy beaches, the U.S. Ranger Assault Group's assault on the Pointe du Hoc, the attack on Ouistreham by Free French Forces, and the strafing of the beaches by two lone Luftwaffe pilots. The film concludes with a montage showing various Allied units consolidating their beachheads before they advance inland to reach Germany by crossing France. Directed by Ken Annakin (British & French exteriors) Andrew Marton (American exteriors) Bernhard Wicki (German episodes) Gerd Oswald (Parachuting Scenes, uncredited) Darryl F. Zanuck (uncredited) Produced by Darryl F. Zanuck Screenplay by Cornelius Ryan Romain Gary James Jones David Pursall Jack Seddon Based on The Longest Day by Cornelius Ryan Starring John Wayne Henry Fonda Robert Mitchum Sean Connery Eddie Albert Curd Jürgens Richard Todd Richard Burton Peter Lawford Rod Steiger Irina Demick Gert Fröbe Edmond O'Brien Kenneth More Music by Maurice Jarre (score) Paul Anka (theme)(arr. Mitch Miller) Cinematography Jean Bourgoin Walter Wottitz Edited by Samuel E. Beetley