Other titles:GENERAL OF THE ARMY DWIGHT D EISENHOWER [Alternative Title]
THE COMMANDERS [Series Title]
Summary: TV biography combining stock footage with modern film interviews and location shots.
Description: Establishing scenes portray the 'peacetime' US army in 1940. Eisenhower's early background and education. West Point. Marriage. Staff College. Early activities in Europe and the Philippines - a Major for sixteen years. Second World War - "the hour brought forth the man". Early strategic ideas for separate operational areas within which all military forces are subordinated to one commander. Appointment to implement this plan in North Africa. Characteristics of Eisenhower's command - objective, refusal to tolerate national prejudice. Operation Torch - Eisenhower's inexperience in political intrigue. Agreement with Darlan temporarily tarnishes his reputation. Early American mistakes and Eisenhower's purge of inefficient commanders. North Africa crucial to Eisenhower's development - he welded the Allies into a team. Preparations for Normandy landings. Eisenhower's great responsibilities. "If he made the wrong decision the Allies would lose the war." Success of the landings. Basic incompatibility with Montgomery. Relations with press. Personal charisma. Conflict over 'narrow' or 'broad' front strategy. German Ardennes offensive and crisis in relations with Montgomery, who backs down. Rhine crossing and justification of Eisenhower's drive on the Ruhr rather than Berlin. Final victory. Eisenhower a great captain - "the best America had to offer."
Alternative Title:GENERAL OF THE ARMY DWIGHT D EISENHOWER [Alternative Title]
THE COMMANDERS [Series Title]
Colour:Colour
Digitised:
Object_Number:MGH 615
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:NON-IWM
Featured Period:
Production Date:1972
Production Country: GB
Production Details: BBC Television (Production company)
Meehan, Patricia (Production individual)
Meehan, Patricia (Production individual)
Bosworth, Pam (Production individual)
Lodge, Bernard (Production individual)
Newson, Len (Production individual)
Grosjean, Raymond (Production individual)
Rosenberg, John (Production individual)
Sharp, Wayne G (Production individual)
Burden, Maureen (Production individual)
Swain, Robin (Production individual)
Bauer, David (Production individual)
Morse, Ken (Production individual)
Ambrose, Stephen Edward1936-01-102002-10-13Family origin: Lovington, Illinois (Production individual)
Gillard, Francis George1908-12-011998-10-20Family origin: Exford, Somerset (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 16mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 2224 ft; Running time: 62 mins
