Twelve O'Clock High (1949)

Release date: 1950-02-13
Country: USA
Language: English
Director: Henry King
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: War, Drama
Rating: 7.7/10
Length: 2h 12min

Storyline

In this story of the early days of daylight bombing raids over Nazi Germany, General Frank Savage must take command of a "hard luck" bomber group. Much of the story deals with his struggle to whip his group into a disciplined fighting unit in spite of heavy losses, and withering attacks by German fighters over their targets. Actual combat footage is used in this tense war drama.

Plot Keywords

american abroad, reminiscence, world war two, airplane shot down, leadership, exhaustion, fighter plane, bombardment, anti aircraft gun, stress, u.s. air force, number in title, based on novel, aerial combat, loyalty, aviation, male bonding, military, air base, u.s. military

Short Review

It is one of the best treatments of World War II. but not without its defects. These include its length and some of the old war picture cliches. But the acting (especially Peck) and direction approach greatness.