Ike - Countdown to D-Day

Starring:Tom Selleck, James Remar, Timothy Bottoms, Gerald McRaney, Ian Mune, Bruce Phillips, John Bach, Nick Blake, Kevin J. Wilson, Christopher Baker, George Shevtsov, Gregor McLennan, Paul Gittins, Craig Hall (II), Stephen Brunton, Paul Barrett (III), Robert Pollock, Michael Saccente, Catherine Boniface, Andrew Robertt
Director: Robert Harmon
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Tom Selleck gives a restrained yet powerful performance as General Dwight D. Eisenhower in Ike: Countdown to D-Day. This made-for-cable feature focuses on the solemn, brilliant but plain-speaking Ike as he fine-tunes, over 90 days, tactical and political concerns involved with the Allies' imminent D-Day invasion of Normandy, i.e., America and Britain's long-awaited joint assault against Nazi-occupied Europe. A strong cast--James Remar as General Omar Bradley, Timothy Bottoms as Ike's assistant, Walter Bedell "Beetle" Smith--anchors the film's mesmerizing, blow-by-blow account of Eisenhower's leadership under the shadow of many uncertainties (predicting the weather for D-Day becomes a suspenseful refrain) and pressure from conflicting egos (Montgomery, DeGaulle, Patton). Ian Mune is a delight as a wary, darkly bemused Churchill, who encourages Ike's strategy of supreme leadership and low-key diplomacy. The script by Lionel Chetwynd (DC 9/11: Time of Crisis) captures the unbearable tension of commencing the invasion--and awaiting the results. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Shipping.......2007-06-20

8 weeks to get this???????

Sorry, but I find that rather remarkable.

Ike's Story.......2007-04-01

Tom Selleck is absolutely convincing as General "Ike" Eisenhower, leader of the Allied Expeditionary Force counting down the days to the invasion of Europe in the spring of 1944. This made-for-cable movie has solid production values, authentic period detail, and a cast that recreates the many strong personalities Ike had to manage to pull off the liberation of Europe from the Nazis. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Field Marshal Montgomery; American Generals Bradley, Patton, and Smith; and French self-appointed savior DeGaulle are authentically captured as contending parties in the final planning for the invasion.

Above all else, the movie portrays the enourmous pressures on Ike to balance the needs of the Allied military forces against challenges of weather, terrain, resources, and politics. The final days of the countdown, as Ike waits for a break in the weather that may never come, and considers the human costs of a botched operation, are incredibly tense.

Among other highlights of the movie: Ike's productive but sometimes trying relationship with Churchill, who understood the realities of the war but was ocassionally swept away by his own enthusiasms. Another is Ike's necessity to discipline an American staff officer who talks out of turn about the invasion and must be sent home in disgrace. Still another is Ike's visit to an American airborne unit on the ever of the invasion.

This short movie is highly recommended to fans of the World War II genre and to fans of Tom Selleck.

Not Bad But Lacks Muscle.......2007-03-16

Magnum PI as Ike? Credit to Tom Selleck: his understated Ike portrayal is far more complex and engaging than the bland, amiable Ike conveyed by most Ike biographies. Selleck's performance truly shone.

Generally, the film is evenly paced and provides a cursory but informative view of one aspect of high command in WW2. Yet it has flaws. For instance, the supporting cast is, frankly, somewhat weak (except for the splendid actor who played pesky Monty). The film also deviates from some plainly known facts. Bedell Smith is portrayed as a softie sounding board and feel-good chum, not as the ruthless, vain, and superbly efficient SOB he was. Putting those quibbles aside, the film allows an enjoyable, visual break for anyone tired of reading history.

Thomas Magnum as Ike?.......2006-11-10

At first I thought the idea was a little odd, but Tom Selleck proves he is a fine actor of unappreciated caliber. You come away from watching this movie with a better appreciation of Selleck's acting abilities and with a sense of what Eisenhower went through during those final days counting down to D-Day.
Well researched and accurate, and wonderfully filmed and acted.

AN ABSORBING LOOK AT THE ROLE OF MILITARY LEADERSHIP IN WAR, AND A STUNNING PORTRAYAL BY TOM SELLECK.......2006-09-26

Tom Selleck shows extraordinary depth and subtlety in this examination of military leadership and the costs of excercising it- both in terms of casualties and in terms of personal self-criticism and doubt, and the demons that haunt one who must order other men to their deaths. Eisenhower is largely a stranger to the last couple of generations of Americans- a name that appears on the list of Presidents, but a name almost as obscure as Millard Fillmore to the young. I wish more people- and especially young people- could've seen this masterful portrayal of leadership, patriotism and sacrifice. I was pleasantly and completely surprised by the quality of this film, and I give it my highest recommendation.

Ike: Countdown to D-Day (Widescreen Version)

Average customer rating:

Ike: Countdown to D-Day (Widescreen Version)
Director: robert harmon
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Ike - Countdown to D-Day

ASIN: B000FBLXCS

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