Considered one of the seminal war films of the 1960s, The Longest Day is regularly cited among cinema’s most impressive military epics. Beneath its sweeping battle sequences and star-studded cast, however, production was fraught with tension—most notably between Hollywood icon John Wayne and producer Darryl Zanuck.
Known for his commanding presence on screen, Wayne became increasingly frustrated with both his pay and Zanuck’s handling of his part. The dispute culminated when Wayne barged into Zanuck’s office for a direct confrontation. What started as a disagreement over scheduling and logistics quickly escalated into a fiery backstage altercation, a real-life clash that rivaled the intensity of the film’s dramatic combat scenes.
The Longest Day (1962)
Filming for The Longest Day began in March 1961 after the production team acquired the rights to the popular book that inspired it. Designed as a docudrama, the film takes great care in introducing each significant figure involved in the historic D-Day invasion. Its expansive and detailed narrative provides an authentic portrayal of one of World War II’s most pivotal moments.
The film tracks the Allied forces from their initial planning stages to the intense beach landings and critical battles at key locations like Pointe du Hoc and Pegasus Bridge, emphasizing the vast scale of the operation. Producer Darryl Zanuck poured his passion into this project, bringing together a star-studded cast that included Henry Fonda, Sean Connery, Richard Burton, Kenneth More, and the iconic John Wayne.
John Wayne publicly punishes Darryl Zanuck
Although The Longest Day featured a massive ensemble cast, John Wayne’s time on screen was comparatively brief. While the majority of actors were paid $25,000, Wayne turned down the standard rate and insisted on a staggering $250,000. Producer Darryl Zanuck acquiesced, resulting in Wayne earning ten times more than many of his co-stars, despite his limited appearances in the film.
John Wayne never served in the US military
John Wayne’s big paycheck caused a lot of controversy, mostly because, unlike some of his co-stars, he had never served in the military. This didn’t sit well with audiences. Even though he was paid a huge amount, his name only showed up at the very end of the movie credits.
Years later, Wayne admitted, “It was highway robbery. But I needed the money at the time, and that b****** Zanuck had it coming.”
An earlier snub
The friction between Darryl Zanuck and John Wayne didn’t suddenly ignite during The Longest Day—its roots stretched all the way back to the aftermath of The Alamo (1960). Wayne had invested not just his reputation but also a massive portion of his own money into the film about the 1836 battle, taking on the roles of director, producer, and star in what he envisioned as a patriotic epic. Instead of the triumph he expected, the movie stumbled financially, leaving him burdened with debt and his standing in Hollywood weakened.
Zanuck, a powerhouse producer with little hesitation in voicing his opinions, criticized Wayne’s handling of the ambitious project. To Wayne, these remarks cut deeply, striking at both his pride and professional judgment. The bitterness lingered, and by the time the two men reunited on The Longest Day, their unresolved grievances flared into open conflict, transforming their long-standing rivalry into a very public clash.
Darryl Zanuck called out John Wayne specifically
After The Alamo was released in theaters, Darryl Zanuck took part in an interview where he discussed John Wayne. He specifically said that he didn’t like when actors chose to establish their own production companies.
His remarks weren’t just vague generalizations; he directly referred to “poor old Duke” as one of the many who had done so.
Upon hearing Zanuck’s comments, Wayne made the decision to make him pay… Literally.