War,Action,Drama
United States of America
Twelve O'Clock High is a 1949 American war film directed by Henry King and starring Gregory Peck, Hugh Marlowe, and Dean Jagger. The film tells the story of the 918th Bombardment Group, a US Army Air Force bomber unit that has suffered high losses during bombing raids over Germany. When their commander, Colonel Keith Davenport (Gary Merrill), becomes too emotionally attached to his men and their losses, he is relieved of his position and replaced by General Frank Savage (Gregory Peck).
Savage is a no-nonsense leader who expects discipline and perfection from his men. He uses tough love to motivate his crew and inspire them to become a top-notch fighting unit. He also demands that they stick to the bombing formations and tactics, even if it means taking heavy losses. This puts him at odds with his crew, who are tired of suffering losses and want to find new ways to avoid the German fighters.
The crew of the 918th Bombardment Group faces constant danger as they fly their missions over Germany. They face fierce resistance from the German air force and suffer heavy losses. Despite this, General Savage's leadership inspires his crew to stay focused and fight on.
As the war rages on, General Savage realizes that his leadership style has taken a toll on his health and he must step down from his position. His replacement, Colonel Ben Gately (Hugh Marlowe), is a more sympathetic leader who understands the emotional toll that the war takes on his men.
Twelve O'Clock High is a powerful war film that depicts the harsh realities of life for bomber crews during World War II. It shows the toll that the war takes on the men who fight it and the sacrifices they make for their country. The film was critically acclaimed and won two Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Dean Jagger.
