classicsoncall If nothing else, the movie elevated General Dwight D. Eisenhower in the eyes of this viewer as a strong and resolute leader who became the Supreme Allied Commander of all forces in the European theater during World War II. When British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Ian Mune) stated to the general - "No human in history has ever held the power for which you now ask" - I didn't get the impression that Eisenhower was demanding it so much as Churchill was offering it.The dramatization of events leading up to the D-Day invasion is strong on military planning and consultations between various military leaders, and the sense one gets of Eisenhower's character is that he listened patiently to everyone's opinion and then made a decision - right or wrong. The scene where he hands over a potential admission of failure taking full responsibility in case things go badly is something modern day political leaders would do well to learn from. At no time does one get the sense Ike was sidestepping his responsibility or laying off a decision due to uncertainty or lack of resolve.Tom Selleck was a surprise here. I don't think I've ever seen him sans mustache and bald, but his characterization of Eisenhower here was as good as one might imagine. Maybe a little on the husky side from what I remember, but my image of Ike comes from when he served as President and not the war hero. All in all an excellent portrayal and an excellent film, along with my timing as I write this a day before Memorial Day, 2016. Eisenhower's spectacular leadership allowed my Dad to return home safely from the War, who served with the Timberwolves in an area along the Maginot Line.

Ernst LeBiek This film is less of an eulogy on Ike then a nostalgic look on times sadly lost. When pride and selflessness where unspoken virtues. Human beings will be human beings, but they are nothing without individuals who stand above it and are respected for themselves. (Name me one public figure today, public debates between presidential candidates as scripted "reality TV" shows, indeed. And they are aiming for a one-world government. The mind boggles.) The cast by and large produced some impressive character impersonations. Eisenhower, Churchill, Montgomery, to name but a few. Sure, there was some artistic license here and there, which however did not distract from the overall strength. The sensitivity of the directing was equally remarkable. A true chef-d'oeuvre overall. Continuity, props, scenery, dialogue, speaking for myself, nothing but the full compliment of stars will suffice.

sddavis63 If ever there was a movie that paid homage to the old adage that "it's lonely at the top" this must be it. Tom Selleck offered a truly brilliant performance as General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied forces invading France on June 6, 1944 - now, of course, best known as D-Day. Eisenhower was inexperienced (or at least much less experienced than British General Montgomery, who wanted the command) and forced to deal with any number of problems - from politicians, to ambitious fellow generals, to weather - as he sorted out strategy and, ultimately, as he had to make the final decision on whether the invasion could proceed as scheduled. Throughout the movie, the cost of war in human life was front and centre. This was not glossed over. Selleck's role as Eisenhower was central to the movie, but the heroes portrayed were those who were going to be risking their lives on the battlefield.The movie is tense, not riveting. The burden faced by Eisenhower can be felt by the viewer; the emotion as the casualty reports came in after the invasion had begun is also felt by the viewer. Selleck's performance was noteworthy. I've never really thought of Selleck as a great actor, but in this made for TV movie (to honour the 60th anniversary of the invasion in 2004) he was superb, and he cannot fail to draw the viewer into the decision making process. Eisenhower is portrayed here as a humble man, seeking command not for glory but because he knows that he is the best suited for command in the circumstances; not seeking the limelight, but willing to take the blame should the invasion go wrong. He's portrayed as a diplomat as much as a general, walking a tightrope between competing egos.The atmosphere of the movie is perfect. The sets are authentic. It is a made for TV movie, so it isn't flashy - but it shouldn't have been. It was exactly what it should have been to honour such an occasion. Certainly this ranks as one of the better made for TV movies you will come across. (8/10)

pax-18 I swear you come off feeling more sympathy for the Germans than the French after seeing this. There are serious omissions and out of context statements that portray the French in every which way possible in a negative light. Its so obviously tainted by current politics (and I'm sure Tom Selleck's conservative politics) its not funny. The one time in the show where Churchill makes the off comment about the French trying to impede their escape from Dunkerque. As if they were collaborating with the Germans at the time... Totally out of context I cant believe Churchill would've made that comment to Ike at all. It was probably completely made up for the show. See the great BBC docu series "History of WW2" for the context.The admiral in charge of French forces in the area at the time wanted to stay in the fight. He expected the Brits to fulfill their obligations in their alliance at the time and not abandon the field of battle. He didn't understand they couldn't fight on probably because being an admiral vs a land force general didn't help in his understanding the Germans had far superior tactics and there was no point in keeping up the fight and risk the capture of 400 000 allied troops by the Germans. The motivation was honest though not one of a backstabbing nature. The French admiral saw cowardice in his eyes. And he felt betrayed and abandoned by his British allies.But also the fact the French had to threaten the closure of the port (tho they had no means of really doing it) if the Brits didn't evacuate them on a 50\50 basis is a sad statement on the British leadership far more than the French leadership at the time. In the last days of the Dunkerque evacuation 100 000 french soldiers held the line while the remaining 40 000 brits got first dibs off the continent. Hows that for "surrender monkeys"? I seriously hope Americans will get a chance to see the BBC series dramatized documentary "History of WW2" and get a truer picture of what really happened. So that unlike the sad distorted comment by the main comment posted for this picture and the awful Ike program they can really get an honest perspective of what happened.