Rating: 
Summary: Pick of the litter
Review: This is simply one of the greatest films ever made. Gregory Peck gives perhaps his best performance as General Savage and Dean Jagger is superb. It is a primer on how men are lead under harsh and stressful conditions and is used by several branches of the U.S. Military services in their leadership classes. It describes in detail the depths and glories of the human soul and demonstrates the limits of courage and sacrifice. The cinematography (black and white) is well suited for the gritty and sometimes tragic themes displayed in this film.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Movie on Leadership Ever
Review: Very simply, this is the best movie about leadership that's ever been produced. It's really something to watch General Savage (Gregory Peck) transform himself into a fear-force-and-terror type of leader because that's what the organization he's taking over needs. As the organization improves and he gets to know the men more, you can see him trying to maintain this style and keep what it's costing him hidden. In the end, he not only succeeds in fixing the initial problem, he also instills leadership into his subordinates to such an extent that they naturally take command when needed. The cost to him was great. But, it's a job that needed to be done.
Rating:
Summary: War film fan or not, don't miss it
Review: The opening phase of America's daylight-bombing campaign in the European theater of WW2 was an almost unmitigated catastrophe. Without long-range fighter cover American bombers were knocked out of the skies by the dozens by experienced German pilots and anti-aircraft crews. Losses were so serious that operations were occasionally suspended outright, and desertion by planes to Sweden and Switzerland was a serious problem. It is against this troubling background that "Twelve O'clock High" is set and it's the best American film about the war. Gregory Peck has done some fine work in the movies but none of his performances comes close to this, and the same can be said about the entire supporting cast. Dean Jagger and Hugh Marlowe are especially moving. It's the best ensemble performace I've ever seen in an American movie about anything. Amazing and disappointing that this landmark film is not yet on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: A movie about leadership
Review: This movie is not about war! This movie is about a lesson in leadership. Twelve O'clock High is a movie that is more important now than it was in 1949. It is absolutely modern in teaching and exemplyfing leadership situations. The process of choosing a level of leadership to match a certain level of readiness (aptitude and motivation). Truly an outstanding movie!
Rating:
Summary: I love GREGORY PECK
Review: When I first saw this movie I thought that it was a dull movie with second rate dialog and almost no action. The second time I saw it I was taking a leadership class where it was our job to identify different types of leadership styles. I was amazed that when you watch this movie with an eye to leadership you can actually identify two types of leaders.
Colonel Keith Davenport is what is known as an X leader he takes on the responsibility for everything never delegating responsibility and as a result having a nervous breakdown General Savage is mat first) a Y leader basically he says "quite coddling these kids, take the diapers off and let them do there jobs. My impression-This is an excellent film about war and the power of motivation on a unit who has had its moral shattered. This is the type of movie where you actually CARE about the charecters, this is a movie you will never forget once yo uhave seen it. Excellent performances from all. especially Gegory Peck
Rating:
Summary: IT DESERVES TO BE PRAISED
Review: Far from the usual corny vision of many war films of the time,TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH deserves it's reputation.You don't have here twelve bombings every fifteen minutes just to create action for action sake.What you have is a realistic war story dealing with men who risks their life and become obsessed with the fear of not coming back.GREGORY PECK gives a great performance,strong and also vulnerable in the end.Considering that this film was made in 1949,it's certainly a classic.If you love war films with a lot of action,a girl ornementation and a HOLLYWOOD vision,don't see this movie,it's simply beyond you.
Rating: 
Summary: 1/2 STAR: Twelve O¿clock High is a boring movie...
Review: Twelve O'clock High is about an air force commander (Gary Merril) who has reached his breaking point. Brigadier General Savage (Gregory Peck) takes his place, and is at first very tough with the pilots who are now under his command. They resent Savage at first, but slowly change as he leads them to success. But soon Savage reaches his own breaking point. I really disliked Twelve O'clock High. It was a really a boring movie. Roughly 5 minutes of the 2 hour and 12 minute movie involved aerial scenes. In one sequence, we see the crew boarding their planes. Then we see a 3 second clip of airplanes flying above the clouds. Then we cut back to the airfield where the crews are getting out of their planes. It was just way too short. The key to the movie was the aerial bombing aspect of it. That was what drove the first air force commander (Gary Merril) to the breaking point. But all we see is him talking about what happened during the bombing run. The same goes for Savage, who is also driven to his breaking point. All we get to see of him in combat is some short but spectacular aerial battle footage. The characters themselves are weak. You don't really have any feelings for the characters. The sad message that comes across is true; these pilots should consider themselves dead, because they don't know if they'll ever make it out alive. But the movie lacks any sense of emotion. It just drags on and on with dialogue scenes that are extremely boring. It was also very loosely held together. You can't even tell when the pilots are beginning to like Savage instead of resenting him. I would not recommend this movie to anyone. The spectacular aerial battle footage wasn't enough to salvage this boring film. I would suggest The Guns Of Navarone or The Bridge On The River Kwai instead.
Rating:
Summary: A Study in Command
Review: It's no mistake that this film was required viewing when I went through the US Marine Corps Basic School 21 years ago. Confronted with a battle-weary demoralized command, Brig. Gen Frank Savage (Gregory Peck) has his work cut out for him as he re-builds the 918th Bomb Group into an efficient fighting force. Stellar perfomances by Peck and Dean Jagger (who won the Oscar for best supporting actor) along with actual combat footage from air combat over Europe during 1943, make this movie a tremendous film, a must-see for those interested in military history and in leadership.
Rating:
Summary: Ordinary Men Doing Extraordinary Things
Review: Gregory Peck stars as a general sent in to replace Gary Merrill, another general of a failing daylight bombing group. Merrill has become too close to his men, clouding his judgment and allowing the men to view themselves as the "hard luck" squad. Peck decides to take a very different approach. He plays it tough, wants everyone whipped into shape, expects nothing but the best, and hopes that by eventually restoring a sense of pride after some successful missions, the men will come around. Needless to say, the men resent him and his approach, transfer requests pour in, and it becomes questionable whether Peck's strategy can work. Peck is outstanding as the general, a perfect choice for the role. Merrill and Hugh Marlowe both give unusually strong performances, and Dean Jagger as a Major working in the office, delivers a subtle, humourous, and very intelligent performance that helps to anchor the film for the viewer. Although there are some good action sequences, this film isn't about the action of the War. It's about leadership and building pride, and it could apply to any organization. It also shows what an unreal thing war is, and what it does to the men involved. Twelve O'Clock High is an outstanding war film, not because of the rah-rah heroics, but because of it's honest and real approach to the men whose lives are being put on the line. Ordinary men are called upon to do extraordinary things.
Rating:
Summary: Get it on DVD
Review: This version is ok, but the DVD is better.
| 
