Two years in the making, this was conceived as the centrepiece of the BBC’s extensive tribute to the 60th anniversary of the Normandy landings – the epic battle that marked the turning point of the Second World War.

Through a bold combination of drama and innovative documentary techniques, the production team sought to deliver a film that would appeal to all generations. Shot at locations across southern England and northern France, the producers hired serving Royal Marines as extras and used genuine WWII props and costumes.

They took a veteran commando back to the chateau where he was interrogated by Field Marshal Rommel and brought a US sailor back to the spot where, aged just 15, he saved the lives of more than 40 men.

This was Dangerous' innovative and bold entry into television, as a bright, exciting independent.

Narrated by Ian Holm.

D-DAY has been listed as the second-most watched History programme on BBC-1 since 2001 (source: BARB / Digital-i).

A BBC / Discovery Channel / ProSieben / France2 / TelFrance co-production in association with Dangerous.

PRESS

The Sunday Times – “an example of the best sort of public-service broadcasting…”

Observer – “…worked awesomely well.”

Daily Express – “The most moving drama documentary that I have ever seen.”

Sunday Telegraph – “This BBC drama is the high spot...”

Guardian – "A handsome, big-budget docu-drama…”

Daily Telegraph – “a particularly vivid sense of men commenting on their younger selves.”

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