The mini-series premiered May 3, 1979, six months, almost to the day, before the death of President Eisenhower's widow, Mamie Eisenhower, on November 1, 1979. Some people who knew her said the mini-series brought her considerable stress, but Mrs. Eisenhower did not comment publicly about the program.
Historical sources for the movie included official files of the United States Army; the Office of the Chief of Military History; the National Archives; public records and documents, and "Past Remembering: My Love Affair with Dwight D. Eisenhower" by Kay Summersby (as Kay Summersby Morgan).
Contrary to popular belief, the actor portraying General Omar N. Bradley is not Karl Malden (who famously portrayed Bradley in Patton (1970)), but lesser-known actor, Richard Herd, who bore a striking resemblance in both appearance and voice to Malden.
The only time that Charles Gray (portraying Gen. 'Freddie' de Guingand in part III) and Charles H. Gray (portraying Gen. Lucian Truscott in part I) were cast in the same production, although they shared no scenes, and were in different episodes of the mini-series.
Duvall walked off this film after a dispute with one of the directors, who was later replaced; Duvall returned.