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 Twelve O'Clock High (Special Edition) :: 0195220455
Description
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| The wartime memories of surviving World War II bomber squadrons were still crystal clear when this acclaimed drama was released in 1949--one of the first postwar films out of Hollywood to treat the war on emotionally complex terms. Framed by a postwar prologue and epilogue and told as a flashback appreciation of wartime valor and teamwork, the film stars Gregory Peck in one of his finest performances as a callous general who assumes command of a bomber squadron based in England. At first, the new commander has little rapport with the 918th Bomber Group, whose loyalties still belong with their previous commander. As they continue to fly dangerous missions over Germany, however, the group and their new leader develop mutual respect and admiration, until the once-alienated commander feels that his men are part of a family--men whose bravery transcends the rigors of rigid discipline and by-the-book leadership. The film's now-classic climax, in which the general waits patiently for his squad to return to base--painfully aware that they may not return at all--is one of the most subtle yet emotionally intense scenes of any World War II drama. With Peck in the lead and Dean Jagger doing Oscar-winning work in a crucial supporting role, this was one of veteran director Henry King's proudest achievements, and it still packs a strong dramatic punch. --Jeff Shannon Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
Reviews
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Author: Guest
In my opinion this movie is an all-time classic. It gives you a gut feel for the radical paradigm-shift that the life or death struggle of all-out war forces people to undego. What was once important in peace time civilian life disappears completely. And the changes in focus, thinking, priorities and agenda that participants in the conflict are forced to make force viewers to realize how much gratitude and honor we owe to our past and present military veterans. Their heroic dedication and the sacrifices they made, and continue to make for the rest of us, are incalculable.
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Author: Guest
This film was used in the 1980s at Leadership, Management, Education and Training School (LMET) as their final exam. We watched the movie and it was paused after certain scenes. We would then have to describe the leadership style used, whether it was effective or not, and why. I had seen this movie several times before but I now gained a new respect and understanding for this movie. The use of black and white film allowed the use of actual gun camera footage from the 8th Army Air Force and Luftwaffe archives.
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Author: Guest
This is THE movie depicting what the highs and lows of combat fliers that braved the Luftwaffe in WW II. Long before the masterpieces of Spielberg,Eastwood and others this was a close as the film ratings board would let Hollywood get to showing the real stress of combat. As told in flashback throught the eyes of Dean Jagger a magnificent performance by Gregory Peck shows how not only the men in the frontline but the officers who lead them suffer equally the hardships of war. There are many supporting players with well crafted parts too numerous to mention I highly recommend this to any WWII buff who somehow might have missed this gem.
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Author: Guest
My late father was a veteran of WWII and stationed in England with the Eighth Air Force. This was one of his favorite movies about the war and he could watch this movie again and again, always leading him to reminisce about his own experiences. He told me many times that this movie depicts how things really were. The actual combat footage used as well as the then-still-flying B17's enhance the reality of this outstanding movie. Every performance is fabulous, particularly those of Gregory Peck and Dean Jagger. This may well be the best movie about World War II -- and certainly about the US bomber groups in England -- that has ever been made. It is gritty, no frills and consistently gripping. Like my father, I can watch it repeatedly ... and it always makes me think of him and miss him terribly.
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Author: Guest
This movie is all about B-17 Bombers, their crew, and what they went through during world war 2. The combat footage in this film is actual combat footage, people are really being shot at. I was impressed with how FAST the action was during those combat scenes. It is Black and White, a lost art these days.
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