Ike: Countdown to D-Day (2004)

 

                For the 60^th anniversary of D-Day, A&E produced a movie about the command decisions leading up to the invasion.  It was directed by Richard Harmon who had done “The Crossing” for the network.  The movie was filmed in New Zealand with all the British parts played by New Zealanders.  Tom Selleck stars as Eisenhower.  Selleck took up smoking in order to portray the four pack-a-day Ike.  It covers the period from March to June 6, 1944.

                The first image in the movie is Ike lighting a cigarette.  This evidences some research by screenwriter Lionel Chetwynd.  It has a shaky opening scene as Eisenhower discusses the invasion with Churchill (Ian Mune).  Churchill questions the need for an invasion of France, mentioning the air campaign as the alternative.  While it is true that Churchill was not a big fan of the invasion in 1942 or 1943, he was committed to it by 1944.  Ike argues for a single commander.  After having himself commanded Operations Torch and Husky, it was no longer a question about having one allied commander.  The movie also implies that Churchill made the choice of Ike as commander.  That decision was made by FDR and Churchill agreed.  This is followed with a scene where Montgomery (Bruce Phillips) argues for a “slashing attack” instead of a massive invasion.  This was a reference to Monty’s proposal of a concentrated assault into Germany (led by himself of course).  That was a later discussion.  In fact, it was Montgomery who argued for 5 beaches instead of 3. After those scenes, the movie settles down and provides the greatest hits of the pre-invasion. 

                Some of the interesting incidents that are covered include moving the invasion from May to June, the canning of Maj. Gen. Miller for talking about the invasion,  Ike chastising Patton (Gerald McRaney) for his Anglo-Americans will rule the world speech, the air borne plan, and the decision to postpone to June 6 because of the weather.  The movie includes a meeting between Ike and DeGaulle so that viewers can see that Monty was not the biggest ass hole that Ike had to deal with.  The movie concludes with Eisenhower’s visit to members of the 101^st Airborne.  He lights one of their cigarettes.  That seems an appropriate last image for this movie.

                Although the movie takes some liberties with history for dramatic purposes, it is a fine history lesson.  “Ike:  Countdown to D-Day” does a good job covering Ike and the decisions he had to make.  It’s no wonder he smoked so many cigarettes. (By the way, although accurate, all the cigarette smoking becomes distracting.)  The movie is strong on depiction of personalities.  Although the British and French might disagree with the portrayals of Montgomery and DeGaulle.  Oddly, it does not spend a lot of time on the actual invasion plan.   

                This is a dialogue-driven movie, so don’t expect any action.  (Speaking of action, Kay Summersby makes only a brief appearance.)  The narration by Selleck is a bit pious.  It is intimate with plenty of close-ups.  This might be a draw for female viewers, just be aware that Selleck does not sport his iconic mustache.  The acting is good, but I would still put Robert Duvall’s Ike from the miniseries as the gold standard. 

                D-Day has been covered in a number of movies, usually not well.  I would recommend watching this movie, then “The Longest Day”, and finishing with “Saving Private Ryan”.  Or you could read a book.

GRADE  =  B-