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The Americans on D-Day Released on 65th Anniversary of Day of Days in Normandy
WW2 Reflections Film Director Richard D. Lanni filmed The French Government’s St Mere Eglise Ceremonies in the first town to be liberated during World War II
www.TheAmericansOnDDay.com
by George S. Mc Quade III
Considering the enormity of the actual D-Day undertaking it might sound hopeless to present a comprehensive account in a documentary with a running time of 44 minutes, but producer-director Richard Lanni has come up with a well organized documentary that provides a clear outline of the events of D-Day, punctuated along the way with a somewhat more detailed account of specific moments in the battle that turned the tide of World War II in Europe.
The film benefits immensely from the presence of Ellwood von Seibold as host-narrator-tour guide. Donning authentic military uniform and accessories – down to the "pineapple" style hand grenade hanging from his utility webbing – von Seibold shares a wealth of knowledge on the subject, presenting it with an elegance that provides an effective counterpoint to the brutality that is, after all, at the center of the D-Day story.
"The Americans on D-Day" strikes a tone appropriate to the nature of D-Day, offering a matter-of-fact account that acknowledges the powerful emotional component of its subject matter while stopping short of romanticizing or idealizing an event that was as bloody and brutal as it was essential to the Allies' success in Europe.
The production deftly blends archival footage and stills with contemporary footage. Early on, we see black-and-white images of U.S. forces, including Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower – as we hear audio of Ike's sendoff to the D-Day forces.
"You are about to embark upon a great crusade," he tells them. "The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. You will bring about the destruction of the German war machine.
"We will accept nothing less than full victory"
The film then goes on to function as a battlefield tour, offering close-ups of German fortifications along the beaches of Normandy, arms – including the MG-42, a heavy machine gun that could fired upwards of 1,200 rounds per minute – and bridges and structures that played key roles in the Allie invasion.
Interviews with both U.S. and German veterans of the operation provide further personal insight into the significance of D-Day and its human toll.
Many of the images presented in "The Americans on D-Day" will be familiar to those who have seen the feature film "Saving Private Ryan," the TV miniseries "Band of Brothers," or any number of other filmed projects that touch on D-Day.
The DVD package has extras including the film's trailer, a making-of feature, a segment on weapons training, another on uniforms and a collection of stills.
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Editors note: If you would like a copy of Americans of D-Day to review at your publication or media news website contact:
MAYO Communications 818-340-5300 or send request by email.
"The battle tour film helps people understand exactly what these brave soldiers experienced at war," said Ellwood von Seibold, who has been hired by WW2 Reflections to present the whole series.
Filming for Part 2 of the Battlefield Tour Series The Americans on D-Day to VE Day begins in September and is expected to be completed just in time for the 66th Anniversary of D-Day in June next year. “The 4th of July highlights the freedom of a model country for the rest of the world,” he said.
The new film will include: The Americans at Hells Highway (Operation Market Garden) with Presenter Ellwood von Seibold guiding viewers through the U.S paratroopers actions in Holland, WW2 Reflections recently filmed the entire St. Mere Eglise ceremonies on the 65th Anniversary of D-Day, where the French Government handed out medal of valor and recognized soldiers for one of the worst battles in War history.
The tour film will also illustrate the daylight drop zones, the bridges that were taken and held, and the famous Waal river crossing of the 504 p.i.r in an action packed educational project. Veteran interviews will add to excitement of the battlefield tour, which continues to chart the American forces advance from D-Day to Victory in Europe Day
(VE Day).
Earlier this year, the premiere of The Americans on D-Day was shown at the American Legion Post 43 in Hollywood, CA, where all the military dignitaries involved in the film and who provided testimony in the first film series provided more stories of valor.
The American Legion has posted exclusive footage Online filmed by WW2 Reflections, Dublin, Ireland, of the 65th anniversary ceremonies of D-Day in St. Mere Eglise, Normandy, France. (http://tinyurl.com/lx6gvk)
At the epicenter of D-Day anniversary activities each year is the small town of Ste. Mere Eglise, made famous by the 1962 hit movie "The Longest Day." Each year, even today, veterans, historians, tourists and re-enactors swarm to the Normandy town to see history come alive. Active-duty paratroopers jump from C-130s in the countryside surrounding the town. Parades, wreath-laying ceremonies and activities at the town's Airborne Museum.
The stars of the world's largest production - a film on the invasion of Normandy, "The Americans on D-Day," premiered in the French language earlier this year. (May 07, 2007.) Several hundred local officials, visiting military dignitaries and stars of the film attended.
"We decided to show it in St. Mere Eglise, Normandy, because it was the first town to be liberated," explained Richard D. Lanni, film director, WW2 Reflections, Dublin, Ireland. "We are thrilled with The American Legion's support, endorsement and now posting of our historical recordings of the French government ceremonies honoring veterans for those heroic days."
In April, about 100 people saw the film in Hollywood at the American Legion Post #43, Hollywood, CA. "It was well done, and the reproduction of the Normandy scenes were pretty darn powerful, and the overlays of graphics were very good," said Adj. Finance Officer Terry Duddy, American Legion Hollywood Post 43. "It was well received by our members attending here. We have posted a link for DVD sales, and five dollars goes to paralyzed veterans on each film sale on our website (http://tinyurl.com/mcnh9v).
[Editor's note: EPK DVD with extras like uniforms and weapons used are available upon request. For more information contact Aida Mayo or George Mc Quade, call 818-340-5300, or email: Publicity@mayocommunications.com or visit: www.mayocommunications.com.
(Press Clips are available at: www.TheAmericansOnDDay.com or Blog: http://tinyurl.com/asavgj]
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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Sales of The Americans on D-Day benefits disabled Vets in America. Ellwood von Seibold (above) stars in the film. (Mike Forster image)
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