Synopsis

John is 25, educated and something of an individualist. He does not approve of war but is, nevertheless, a highly-trained commando. Tom, age 30, is the conscientious senior soldier. He lacks imagination, but is by no means a fool; his only limitation is a lack of self-confidence. Cliff, the youngest at 20, is a man of action, unburdened by intellect. He's practical, tough and expects to survive. These three British soldiers -- all privates in a parachute regiment -- have been cut off from their unit during fighting in a European country. It might be Germany or France -- the place is unimportant. The three men have camped in an old partially-destroyed house. The men are waiting for their sergeant and are becoming impatient and worried. They decide to go out and soon they are confronted by a young German soldier, Helmut, who is taken prisoner. The Long Day's Dying is the story of four soldiers... four ordinary, every day men, three British and one German, who became caught up in the bloody, futile mess that is war.