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Summary: One of the best WWII movies ever...
Review: Twelve O'Clock High proves that the best war movies are suspenseful and exciting without having to resort to shots of brutal fighting or the bloody aftermath. Although this movie makes the viewer keenly aware of the horrors of combat and its effect on people, it does not actually depict things the gory detail so common today. This is a great movie - perhaps the best war movie ever - and it is good mainly because of its fabulous cast and clever, insightful script. Twelve O'Clock High is about a struggling squadron of American precision air bombers in Europe. After their benevolent, compassionate commander (Gary Merrill) cracks under the stress of having to send young men up to die, the normally understanding and reasonable General Savage (Gregory Peck) is called in to take over. In order to restore the morale of the group and instill them with pride and honor, Savage becomes incredibly strict and works the group very hard - which leads to some astonishing successes. But before long, the stress of leadership begins to get to Savage as well... Anyhow, this is a very exciting movie! It even uses actual footage from WWII airplane battles. Furthermore, besides being entertaining, Twelve O'Clock High makes many interesting points about the responsibilities of leadership and the toll those responsibilities take on men. Unlike many similar dramas from the time, it has aged well and is just as relevant today as it was when it was first made. What is maximum effort, it also asks. To find out, watch this true classic - and enjoy!
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Summary: This is truly a movie about a personal hero.
Review: Our dear friend, the late Bill Abbey, was one of the men who this movie is about. He told my husband, my daughter and me all about his war experiences. He was interviewed for this book and the movie about it. He was such a wonderful man, a true patriot. This movie is a true story. You should see it!
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Summary: Still high on 12 0'clock High
Review: I recently watched 12'o clock high as a part of the curricula for a leadership program. I had previously viewed this classic for pleasure over a period of many years ..going back to my childhood in post world war 2 england when this film first appeared..1949. This film never fails to move me both emotionally and intellectually. Young boys forced to be men and face death in doing their duty to serve their country and protect the free world in the biggest threat that had been confronted on a global level. American airman, officers and flight crews, in the first phase of American airpower of world war 2, are being used by the US command to determine maximum effort of planes and men as they carry out a strategy of precision bombing. The story focuses on a hard luck Group who appear to be losing too many men and planes. They are commanded by Keith Davenport (Gary Merill) extremely popular with his men, however, his inability to delegate to his fellow officers and his overidentification with his men are causing both his own mental breakdown and may be at the root of the hard luck and the accompanying loss of life. Enter Gregory Peck, Colonel Savage, an admirer and friend of Davenport the man but critical of Davenport the Commander. Peck is assigned by the commanding general to determine the cause of the problems and turn around the record of the Group. His strategy is to turn around the whole culture of the Group from a hierarchical structure of benevolent Command from the top to a harsh albeit more democratic sharing of responsibility and leadership from officers and men. He frames for the men the harsh reality of their situation ....stop worrying about getting killed, think of yourself as already dead..dont make plans for the future..dont lean on your immediate buddies and roomates but look to the whole Group as your family because the integrity of the Group when it is in battle formation is what will help survival.... He faces the complete opposition of all his pilots who request a transfer out. He, however has faith in their ability to be adults and begins to build a critical mass of support,little by little, by going back to basics in his training and in his communication. The process of building the foundation to ensure the Group's ability to deal with the maximum effort...takes it's toll on Peck who, in sense, doesn't deal with his own reality as another human being pushed to the extent of his own threshold of maximum effort. The story highlights different modes of leadership in the face of the most difficult of circumstances. As you watch the film notice different artifacts that are used to dramatize the story..a pewter mug in the Shape of a Pirate Captain used to conjure up the memory and the telling of this story; flight boots used to pass on the mantel of leadership; an airplane dubbed the leper colony manned by malingerers and the less competent but transformed into a place of learning and redemption, the chevrons on the sleeve of a sergeant that are removed and replaced as the sergeant makes mistakes and redeems himself. This finally is another story of the greatest generation who went through a rite of passage, survived if they were lucky enought, while they were making the world safe for all of us...Bless them all..the long and the short and the tall!!!
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Summary: A great movie.
Review: I've seen this movie a number of times, and always appreciate the work that went into it. I was required to watch this movie during a training class on leadership while I attending the U.S. Air Force's Officer Training School. The leadership styles of the characters in the movie were held up as examples of the "right way", the "wrong way", and "don't-let-this-happen-to-you" ways of managing people and situations. It's interesting to note that some of the instances of leadership and some of the problems encountered in running the bomb groups have their basis in fact. The changeover of command from a colonel who "cares too much for his men" to a hard-nosed general officer taking command stems from an actual incident. For further specifics on this item, check out the book "Decision Over Schweinfurt", by Thomas M. Coffey. It's an interesting nonfiction account of USAAF daylight bombing over Germany. If you've seen "Twelve O'Clock High", you'll recognize many elements in this book.
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Summary: Don't Confuse This Film with Steve McQueen's "The War Lover"
Review: Other reviewers appear to be attributing the ending of "The War Lover," to "Twelve O'Clock High." "The War Lover" starred Steve McQueen as the hero who goes up for "one last mission" and gets killed. The film "Twelve O'Clock High." is VERY faithful to the book, and a great film. "The War Lover" is a lesser work, and has not held up as well over time.
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Summary: An interesting study on leadership
Review: The first time I saw "Twelve O'Clock High" was when I watched it as part of a course at the US Air Force Academy. I thought it was exceptional then and I think so still now more than ten years later. By today's standards, it may seem poor in its special effects, but as a look into combat leadership it is superior. This film demonstrates how military leadership has nothing to do with medals and parades, but a constant battle to make a group of people do a thankless, unglorious job. This movie does a great job in showing the strains of leadership and the personal sacrifices one must make to succeed in war. Gregory Peck stars as a very human leader who makes mistakes and yet still presses on, and also one who gives everything he's got to make his unit the best it can be -- for their sake and not for his. Aspiring leaders, and those who need a refresher course, should watch this one many times over.
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Summary: Twelve o'clock High
Review: I must agree with drca in his review of this "Classic" film. I also echo his request of Fox to release the "Director's" cut with the original ending. I'd be one of the first in line to buy.
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Summary: Still Effective Today
Review: This is a film which was made four years after the end of the Second World War and it uses a lot of actual documentary footage. The plot is about a squadron of US heavy bombers. The film is set at a time in the war when the German air defences were at their most efficient and they were taking a heavy toll of the unescorted US bombers. The plot of the film is about a tough commanding officer who is appointed to try to keep things together despite the ferocious punishment being suffered by the US air crews. He stigmatises those who have lost their nerve by having them fly in a plane marked for cowards. For the other air crews he emphasises discipline as a means of ensuring the bombers keep tight formation to maximise the defensive potential of their guns and produce accurate bombing. Initially his toughness and uncompromising attitude leads to hostility from the men he commands. As the film progresses however it becomes clear that he has always had a deep respect for the men who have flown under him. The last scene is one of the more effective as it shows him breaking down as he realises the number of casualties in a particular action. War films often do not age very well at all. Those made close to the conflict they portray are often jingoistic or are unreal. This film is unusual as it has dated well and is still easy to watch even today. The action scenes using old footage are simply amazing. In summary a film which still is effective and has power to move an audience today.
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Summary: "We've got to fight. And some of us have got to die."
Review: When most people think of a war movie, they think of hordes of soldiers charging an enemy position as machine guns mow them down while shells create spectacular explosions in the background. Twelve O'Clock High is different; Except for a combat mission near the film's end, there is hardly any combat action. Yet it is often regarded as one of the best war movies. (Some plot spoilers). Gregory Peck is outstanding in one of his greatest performances. Portraying Air Force General Savage, Peck takes command of the 918th Bomb Group during the early years of World War II, when daylight bombing over Europe was still in question. The previous commander, Col. Keith Davenport was relieved of command for getting too involved with his men and reaching a breaking point. After their most recent mission was a failure, moral is low in the unit. When Savage takes over, he also discovers that discipline isn't strict enough in the unit. Guards, for example, don't check on people entering the base and on-duty officers leave their posts to get drunk. Savage, at first, enforces discipline on the 918th members, particularly the lazy air executive officer, to the point where the pilots put in requests for transfer. The transfers are delayed, allowing Savage time to change his men's minds. As the 918th successfully completes one mission after another, Gen. Savage soon comes to know and respect his men and feel for him like his own children. The pilots withdraw their transfers and Savage begins to push himself further on the missions to find out what a 'Maximum Effort' is. However, the stress of command and the loss of some pilots soon starts effecting Savage and he breaks down as well. This movie is excellent in how it studies about the psychological effect of war on men. As seen in this film, the bomber crews could take a lot of flying, but only so much. There is one scene I particularly like in the movie. After a mission in the film's beginning, one of the flyers tells an interrogation officer about the bloody flight, where one man was decapitated. The description is detailed, yet none of the actual damage is shown. It goes to show that words can be just as powerful as images.
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Summary: Greatest WWII B17's Leadership Drama now on DVD !!
Review: After WWII there were many stories, books & movies depicting the hereos, horrors and how ordinary men performed in extra ordinary times. A few of these movies dealt with the real issues of the human mind and leadership. Such WWII films as "The Best Years of Our Lives", "Stalag 17" and "Twelve O'Clock High" actually dealt with the human factor and how their actions affected those around them. Twelve O'Clock High is one of the greatest WWII dramas ever made. This story is timeless and leaves an everlasting effect on us because it deals with people (we can all relate to these situations and our ability to cope or deal with them). This film deals with; Leadership, Responsibility, Loyalty and Honor. All these factors affect all of us and how we deal with our ability to perform and navigate through life. Summary: United States early involvement in WWII started in England (late 1942). We had B17 Bomber Squadrons involved in a new strategy, "Daylight Precision Bombing". This was a very critical and costly tactic. There were high losses of men and bombers. Morale was at its lowest point and the Leadership roles were in jeopardy. The current Commanding Officer Colonel Davenport (Gary Merrill - excellent) was a very popular people person & was totally committed to his men. Because of his inability to successfully complete his squadrons missions was relieved by General Savage (Gregory Peck - Outstanding performance). Savage believed in the mission, training and Lead by example Commanding Officer. This caused resentment from his pilots & crews and the long uphill battle to make the squadron successful begins. This DVD has excellent Black & White picture quality. Full Screen (before Widescreen). This is a very emotional and uplifting saga that will remain with you for a very long time. Enjoy.
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