![Darkest Hour [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71EwALwHVJL._AC_UL165_SR165,165_.jpg)
![Oppenheimer [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81aHeuJ0CGL._AC_UL165_SR165,165_.jpg)
![Walk On: 4-Mile Power Walk with Jessica Smith - Indoor Walking and Low Impact Aerobics for Fat Burning, Cardio, Coordination, and Agility [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513-+u01szL._AC_UF480,480_SR480,480_.jpg)
![Jesse Stone: 9 Movie Collection / Ike: Countdown to D-Day / Runaway (1984) / Shadow Riders [Tom Selleck Ultimate Collection 2-DVD Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5100EQgAk3L._AC_UF480,480_SR480,480_.jpg)
![The Longest Day [DVD] [Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51aTBt9wOhL._AC_UF480,480_SR480,480_.jpg)
![Brooklyn (us) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5177NJaNe2L._AC_UF480,480_SR480,480_.jpg)
A different time and place. Americans, more or less united, in a common purpose, engaged in focused work, to defeat the terrible evils of Nazism. Stalin had long called for America to help the beleaguered Russian troops on the Eastern Front: an invasion of France to secure a solid two front war against Germany. Hitler was certain the invasion would come along the shortest path over water, at Calais. Eisenhower would help in that belief, sending Patton to head a paper-mâché army at Maidenhead, just across the Channel from Calais. As is well-known, Eisenhower chose the longer passage to land on the beaches of Normandy. The critical day, June 6, was decided only a few hours before, with the always variable weather being the key determinant.
Normandy has been a part of my life. For six days, in July,1989, I camped at Carentan, and the “variable weather” was idyllic. The allies should have been so lucky. After my first visit, I returned several more times, for walks among the white crosses on the bluff above Omaha Beach, one corner of a foreign field that will be forever American. The most impressive movie of the actual invasion is at the museum at Caen, a first-day British objective, 12 kms inland, that took 30 days and Caen’s almost total destruction to secure. So much for Monty’s quick dash to Berlin.
Robert Harmon, this film’s director, proved that there is still much more to learn about this truly historic event. The movie was released in 2004. It is about egos and politics and power bases. In a key scene between Churchill and Eisenhower, the former says to the latter: “No man in history has ever held the power that you ask… not Caesar, not Alexander.” Eisenhower would be appointed “Supreme Commander” even though he lacked actual combat experience. The top British general, Field Marshal Montgomery, would nibble at his authority. Tom Selleck plays Eisenhower. I have a soft spot in my heart for Timothy Bottoms, who played excellent roles of youth in “The Last Picture Show” and “Johnny Got his Gun.” In “Ike…,” Bottoms plays a much more mature Walter Bedell Smith, Eisenhower’s aide, and sometimes foil.
I liked the scene in which Eisenhower reamed Patton a new one and threatened to send him home for once again opening his big mouth and talking about how the world would be ruled by “Anglo Saxons” after the war. Eisenhower asked Patton how Joe Stalin might feel about such sentiments.
One issue that was not treated in depth was the sheer monumental task of the logistics. How do you get all the right fuel, bullets and chow to the right places at the right time, pre-Internet, where all was handled on paper and mammoth chalkboards?
A major issue that was well covered involved the placement of the airborne units, specifically the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions, about 13,000 men. If they dropped further inland, the casualties would be less, but they would not have been as effective pressing the Germans from the rear, helping to take some of the pressure off the troops landing on the beaches. Allied experience at Gallipoli (WW I) and Anzio (WW II) haunted the decisionmaking. Fearful that the allied soldiers might be pushed back into the sea (and indeed, it was touch and go with the First Infantry Division), Eisenhower made the very difficult decision to have them land “tight” against the German units, knowing the projected casualties might be 70%. The movie shows his immense relief to hear that the casualties were “only” 20%.
“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers” from Shakespeare’s “Henry V” was worked into the movie as well. The Normandy invasion remains an outstanding American (and Allied) achievement, of focus and common purpose, that is so lacking today. 5-stars.
Add Prime
to get Fast, Free delivery
Frequently bought together
This item: Ike - Countdown to D-Day
$29.29
Get it as soon as Saturday, Feb 1
Sold by EAS Unlimited and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.+![Darkest Hour [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71EwALwHVJL._AC_UL116_SR116,116_.jpg)
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
- Darkest Hour [DVD]Gary OldmanDVDFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Thursday, Jan 30
- The Longest DayJohn WayneDVDFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Thursday, Jan 30
- Oppenheimer [DVD]VariousDVDFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Thursday, Jan 30
Ike: Countdown To D-Day ...
as always Tom Selleck gave a masterful performance! at first I thought he was too strong an actor to play Ike, but he was perfect.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2023
- Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2006
- Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2024
- Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2021
Top reviews from other countries
- Artist's TreeReviewed in Canada on December 29, 2016
Selleck as Eisenhower is Amazing
- GeorgianReviewed in Canada on July 15, 2016
Excellent performance by each cast member
