Typically, The Longest Day does not fare as well as The Tutor thought it should. I read the Yankee's piece, and I thought it was well balanced.
I do, however, agree with The Tutor's comment regarding the Yankee's interpretation of the beach scene between Robert Mitchum and Eddie Albert.
The Yankee writes,
"......the American officers are plainspoken(sic) and casual; they wear comfortable, ugly uniforms.
Their judgement is virtually flawless and always aggressive. (The one officer who advises retreat amid the slaughter on Omaha Beach, played by Eddie Albert, quickly dies.) In the field, they change plans, improvise, go for broke......"
The Tutor's comment,
"I am not so sure of this interpretation. Reviewing the scene, Eddie Albert quickly smiles when he is told by Robert Mitchum that there will be no retreat.
I reckon Mr. Albert's entreaties for retreat to Mr. Mitchum were rhetorical and meant by him (Mr. Albert) to be refused by Mr. Mitchum's character - and he was obviously happy they were. Eddie was a true fightin' man! His subsequent death was not punishment for not being aggresive enough, au contraire, it was but (a) foreshadowing of his impending professional demise.
He will, a few years later, be married to a Gabor sister and be constantly upstaged by Arnold Ziffel"
The Tutor is funny. Innit?
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