‘Stunning' war epic with John Wayne available to watch on TV today

An incredible John Wayne classic is about to be broadcast for free on BBC Two, after which it will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer for a limited time.

Released in 1962, The Longest Day is a must-watch for fans of war films as it depicts one of the most crucial moments of the Second World War.

Wayne portrays the real-life war hero Lieutenant Col. Benjamin H. Vandervoort, who played a vital role in the defence of Sainte-Mère-Église during the invasion of Normandy on June 6th, 1944.

One of the first major motion pictures to depict the events of D-Day, it’s still widely considered the best by cinephiles all these decades later, with some even claiming it’s better than Steven Spielberg’s iconic 1998 film Saving Private Ryan.

Alongside Wayne is a stellar all-star cast portraying key figures from all sides of the war, including Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Richard Burton and Sean Connery.

The Longest Day currently stands at an impressive 83 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, with an even more admirable 90 percent audience rating. It will be airing on BBC Two today (Sunday, 19th October) at 1pm.

Variety called it “a solid and stunning war epic”, while Empire describes it as a “memorable” and “heartfelt recreation of the D-Day landings”.

Fans have also sung the movie’s praises, too, with one RT user sharing: “This true story about the invasion of Normandy, aka D-Day, was action-packed, intense, and incredible.

“It's one of the best war movies ever made and it was well written and directed. If you haven't seen this classic war movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a definite must see.”

Another agreed: “Finally managed to find 3 hours to sit down and watch the film in its entirety!

“Epic in its scale, compared to anything before or since! I thought it was great! One of the best war movies ever made!”

A five-star Google review added: “Absolutely loved this movie. Sure, it doesn't have the colour and graphics of Saving Private Ryan as it was made more than 30 years earlier and filmed in black and white.

“But is it too audacious to say that it is a better film than 'Ryan'?”

And a five-star Letterboxd review said: “It took three directors, but they made an intense, spectacularly entertaining three-hour epic about one of the most significant events in world history.

“For the men in the film, it is the longest day. For us, it's one of the greatest war flicks.”

The Longest Day is airing Sunday, 19th October at 1pm on BBC Two and will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.