"Ike: The War Years" is a made for TV mini-series that runs approximately 4.5 hours. It's very well done though there is a problem with any film about Eisenhower during this time. The problem is that the relationship between him and his aid/driver Kay Summersby is something that no one is sure about today. There have been many rumors that their relationship was romantic...but no convincing evidence exists to confirm or refute this. Because of that, the film seemed to take a third approach...that they were very close, possibly romantic but also probably chaste as well. This seems unlikely...but who knows?!
The story begins just before the USA enters WWII. Eisenhower is a relatively unknown general...a one-star one at that. The film is about how he rose among the ranks to be the commanding general of the European war...and his relationship with Summersby.
The film features excellent acting...much of it by Robert Duvall in the title role. Lee Remick wasn't bad as Summersby, but was also miscast, as Summersby was English...and Remick tries her best and does a decent job...but just isn't English. I am really surprised that they didn't just cast an English actress.
A minor quibble I have, very minor, is that the film shows too many clips of the war....and colorizing them (very clumsily since it was in the early years of this 'service') didn't help. Still, despite a few complaints, the film is good provided you are patient and have 4.5 hours to give the film.
