Ike: Countdown to D-Day (2004)

Director Robert Harmon and actor Tom Selleck went on to make the Jesse Stone television films after this so they formed a fruitful alliance.A much restrained Tom Selleck gives his acting chops an airing as he portrays General Eisenhower on the build up to the D-Day landings.The film does not feature battle or action sequences. Eisenhower deals with the problems and logistics leading up to the operation. Confronting various military strategy, conflicting commanders and smoothing politicians and other leaders.Eisenhower might had lacked on the field combat leadership experience compared to other generals but he had people skills which people like Patton and Montgomery lacked. His talents were recognised by politicians like Churchill and you see at the end when he is chatting amiably with the troops just about to go to battle.There is a lot of talk dealing with strategy, its all handled well but to get a better experience you need to see films that deal with the actual D Day landing and the battle itself such as The Longest Day.Selleck acquits himself well as Eisenhower, but this retrained type of acting is was taken to overdrive when he played the Jesse Stone. Do note that the film was made in New Zealand as the actors playing Churchill, Montgomery and other British army personnel are all New Zealanders.

Ike is a good picture to relate the preparation of "Overlord". Good production, good reconstitution, and great actors. But there is a "but" for a french people like me for an historical picture: the french flag on the General De Gaulle's car is red-white-blue.The real french flag is BLUE-WHITE-RED. If the producer decided to present the Nazi flag i'm afraid to saw the swastika on a pink flag! I didn't see the US flag with stars down and stripes verticals in a french picture, and i think that error would be a surprise for American people. I love America but American productions must know better others countries if you want to be recognize credible in the rest of the world. Honor for ever to all the young Americans dead in Normandy for the liberty and particularly our liberty. Thank you.

I watch this movie repeatedly. It renews my faith in the human spirit. Despite some reviewers critiques of historical inaccuracies, which I cannot dispute, as I do not know all the facts: one thing shines through. The quality of humility that Ike, Churchill, Bradley possessed. How they held onto the vision of what had to be done. The strength of character of these men, is so well portrayed. Every actor in this movie amazed me. Selleck, of course, wasn't even Selleck. He was Ike. He totally overcame himself, to play this role. Magic, indeed.I can't critique the historical facts, but I was moved by this movie, to start researching WW2 history.I'm even more moved, by the comments of the people on here. I love the commentaries here...even the "spoilers".To me, this is a very powerful documentary about the weight of decisions faced by the "players" at the time. The movie shows how aware these men were of the potential consequences of these decisions, and how heavy that burden was for them. They did not take it lightly.They agonized about the choices they were faced with. (Perhaps, unlike some of our present leaders........)The portrayals of Montgomery and Patton were excellent. It showed their arrogance, but also acknowledged their brilliance as generals. Ike saw both qualities and used their strengths, but didn't let himself be used by their egos. And he truly appreciated their insights and their drive.Ike and Churchill never lost sight of the main purpose. The movie shows how easily they might have been swayed, but they were so very clear of their vision of what had to be done.A tremendous study of strength of character. In his role as Ike, I think Selleck has come close to Sean Connery.Beyond "hunk",.....to timeless "first class actor." Movie of the decade, so sez me...

The picture concerns about the previous ninety days to the D-Day invasion , known as ¨Overlord operation¨. Dwight H. Eisenhower confronts problems and odds and designs splendidly the most sensational military operation of the history . He must deal and convince to the most prestigious world leaders as the intelligent Winston Churchill (Ian Munne) , an arrogant General Montgomery (Bruce Philips) , an obstinate General DeGaulle ; besides he resolves the complications on subordinates as a rebel General Patton (Gerard McRaney) or a General who publicly speaks about the operation . Ike is finely played by Tom Selleck who makes a brilliant speech explaining to various politicians and authorities , as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth , the developing of the Normandy Landing , but he exposes the following : ¨Five beaches -codenamed Utah, Omaha, Gold,Juno and Sword- were selected as the landings points for the British and US Corps , the operation will be preceded by a month-long bombing campaign to disrupt communications , preventing reinforcements from moving quickly into the threatened area and destroy vital bridges and gun positions . The landing depended of the weather, when the forecast was cool, began the operation D-Day 6 June 1944 . The landings commenced at 0630 hrs, and by midnight 57.000 US and 75.000 British and Canadian troops and their equipment were ashore and the beachheads were being linked into a continuous front . The General Omar Bradley (James Remar) commanded US 1st Army ,a post he handled with considerable efficiency breaking out from the bridgehead . The German response to the landings was hampered by the damage done to their communications ,by a rigid structure which required a personal directive from Hitler before any significant move could be made and by belief that the landing the major Allied attack would come in the Pas of Calais,a belief fostered by Allied deception operations . Allied casualties during the day amounted to 2.500 killed and about 8.500 wounded.Allied air forces flew 14.000 sorties in support of the operation and lost 127 aircraft¨. This famous event from how was orchestrated the dangerous , risky landings maneuvers is well photographed by David Gribble and magnificently directed by Robert Harmon . This TV picture will appeal to history buffs . Well worth seeing .