- Film Review
- Reviewed By Sloan Freer
-
3 out of 5
Director Robert Harmon (The Hitcher, Gotti) breathes life, and more importantly emotion, into the strategic planning of the 1944 Normandy Landings in this quality Second World War drama. By focusing on the key decisions of Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D Eisenhower, he benefits from an outstanding lead performance from Tom Selleck. The actor is almost unrecognisable without his trademark moustache, delivering an in-depth portrayal of the American general that captures both his military insight and his unpretentious charm. Enhanced by strong dialogue, Selleck's personality eclipses the otherwise adept supporting players, with only Bruce Phillips and George Shevtsov (as generals Montgomery and De Gaulle) holding their own. The end result is a thoughtful if subjective look behind the scenes of history that remains tensely compelling despite its predetermined outcome.
Plot Summary
Biographical Second World War drama starring Tom Selleck as the supreme Allied commander in Europe, General Dwight D Eisenhower, who faces opposition from his own side as he prepares thousands of troops for the landing on the Normandy beaches in June 1944.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Gen Dwight D Eisenhower
- Tom Selleck
- Gen Omar Bradley
- James Remar
- Gen Walter Bedell "Beetle" Smith
- Timothy Bottoms
- Gen George Patton
- Gerald McRaney
- Winston Churchill
- Ian Mune
- Gen Bernard Law Montgomery
- Bruce Phillips
- Air Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory
- John Bach
- Air Chief Marshal Arthur W Tedder
- Nick Blake
- Rear Adm Bert Ramsay
- Kevin J Wilson
- Group Capt Maj James Stagg
- Christopher Baker
- General Charles De Gaulle
- George Shevtsov
Crew
- Director
- Robert Harmon
- Share this episode
-