John Wayne's WWII epic called 'better than Saving Private Ryan' is airing for free today

A legendary John Wayne masterpiece is set to air for free on BBC Two, before becoming available to watch on BBC iPlayer for a limited period.

The Longest Day, which premiered in 1962, remains essential viewing for war film enthusiasts as it chronicles one of the Second World War's most pivotal moments.

Wayne embodies real-life military hero Lieutenant Col. Benjamin H. Vandervoort, who proved instrumental in defending Sainte-Mère-Église during the Normandy landings on June 6th, 1944.

As one of the earliest blockbusters to portray the D-Day operations, it continues to be hailed as the finest example by film buffs decades on, with some arguing it surpasses Steven Spielberg's legendary 1998 epic Saving Private Ryan.

Wayne is joined by an exceptional ensemble cast bringing to life crucial personalities from every faction of the conflict, featuring Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Richard Burton and Sean Connery, reports the Express.

The Longest Day boasts a remarkable 83 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside an even more impressive 90 percent audience score.

The film broadcasts on BBC Two today (Sunday, 19th October) at 1pm.

Variety branded it "a solid and stunning war epic", whilst Empire hailed it as a "memorable" and "heartfelt recreation of the D-Day landings".

Cinema-goers have equally championed the picture, with one RT reviewer commenting: "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 showing Sunday, 19th October at 1pm on BBC Two and will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer.