Compared are the Black and White Version (German VHS by CBS/FOX [Silver Screen Collection]) and the Colored Version (German VHS by 20th Century Fox).



The Longest Day tells the story of the events on D-Day from the German, American and French angle. Despite bad weather, the Allies prepare the landing in the Normandie on June 6th because the next opportunity to do so would be month later. The Germans believe the invasion will occur in Calais and they also suppose the attack in the Normandie is just a diversion. The French Resistance supports the Allies by sabotaging the communication of the Germans. Due to the heavy resistance of the German soldiers, all hell breaks loose at the beach in the Normandie but there are lots and lots of casualties...

Until the release of Schindler's List, The Longest Day was the most expensive black and white film ever made. And that fact oozes out of every single frame - if you will. The Longest Day is an incredible war film with numerous of stars and suspense from beginning to end.

In 1994, a restored and colored version of The Longest Day was released on VHS. Certainly a no-go, even though colorization looks pretty good. Unfortunately, the Colored Version is in fullscreen - instead of 2.35:1 - and the result is the loss of picture information. The Colored Version was completely reedited though and the result are numerous differences regarding the aspect ratio - some of them are even different ones from the widescreen version, examples via screenshot comparison can be found further down below. Another interesting fact is the altered text in the Colored Version. And there is more: There is footage in each version the other one lacks. Mostly insignificant and hard to spot without watching both versions at the same time. The most striking difference is probably the alternate shot when the house of the French couple is being bombed.



Please note: Minor jump cuts will not be listed in the following comparison.

Example for the different text boxes on the two tapes:

Example for the partially different aspect ratio on the two tapes:

Duration:

s/w Fassung: 170:24 min
Colored Version: 170:45 min

[00:00:30][00:00:37]

The helmet longer at the beach.

Colored Version: 3 sec


[00:01:45][00:01:55]

Von Rundstedt earlier.

Colored Version: 7 sec


[00:01:48][00:02:05]

As compensation, the shot of Von Rundstedt is longer in the Black and White Version.

Black and White Version: 7 sec


[00:09:25][00:09:34]

The pan shot to the bottom is a little shorter.

Colored Version: 2 sec


[00:15:50][00:15:59]

The dice slightly earlier.

Colored Version: 1 sec


[00:17:33][00:17:44]

After being yelled at to get the mail, Dutch stands up. In addition to that, the subsequent shot starts a little earlier.

Black and White Version: 5 sec


[00:42:02][00:42:09]

Maybe the very same shot with alternate aspect ratio - or maybe not.

The Black and White Version sticks to General Hans von Salmuth while the Colored Version shows two generals playing cards instead.

Black and White Version: 2 sec
Colored Version: 2 sec


[00:50:23][00:50:30]

Subsequent to the landing plane, the Black and White Version cuts to the German soldier.

Black and White Version: 1 sec


[01:28:44][01:28:52]

The general a bit earlier on the phone.

Colored Version: 1 sec


[01:36:46][01:36:54]

The general longer by the window. Furthermore, the subsequent shot of the dog leaving the bunker starts earlier.

Colored Version: 6 sec


[01:42:03][01:42:17]

The Colored Version contains alternate footage of the house of the French getting bombed.

Black and White Version:

Colored Version:

Black and White Version: 13 sec
Colored Version: 12 sec


[01:58:50][00:15:29]

The Black and White Version cuts to the pilot while the Colored Version sticks to the planes in the sky.

Black and White Version: 2 sec
Colored Version: 2 sec


[02:00:54][00:17:33]

The coast a little earlier.

Colored Version: 1 sec


[02:17:22][00:34:02]

The shot of the soldier coming around the corner starts briefly earlier.

Colored Version: 1 sec


[02:34:14][00:50:55]

The two soldiers sightly earlier.

Colored Version: 1 sec


[02:34:20][00:51:03]

Once again, the Black and White Version cuts to the soldiers while the Colored Version sticks with Cota.

Black and White Version: 1 sec
Colored Version: 1 sec


[02:50:09][01:06:52]

Longer end credits in the Black and White Version.

The Colored Version contains a black screen instead - with the song still playing in the background.

Black and White Version: 15 sec
Colored Version: 15 sec