'' The Long Day 's Dying '' is a 1968 British Techniscope war film directed by Peter Collinson and starring David Hemmings . It was listed to compete at the 1968 Cannes Film Festival , but the festival was cancelled due to the events of May 1968 in France . The film was then able then to compete at the 1968 San Sebastián International Film Festival , where it won its top prize , the Golden Shell for Best Film . Three British paratroopers are cut off from their unit and are lost behind enemy lines . Sheltering in a deserted farmhouse , they are awaiting the return of their Sergeant who has ventured out in an attempt to locate their unit . The three soldiers are Tom , a world-weary cynical veteran , John , a middle-class educated thinker who despises war and Cliff , an eager soldier who loves his work . All three are highly trained professional killers who , regardless of their own personal thoughts , do not hesitate to perform their duties
1968 Cannes Film Festival
1968 Cannes Film Festival
The Long Day's Dying