Review: Twelve O'Clock High (1949)

Starring: Gregory Peck, Hugh Marlow, Gary Merrill

Co-Starring: Millard Mitchell, Dean Jagger
Directed by: Henry King
Other notable contributors: produced by Darryl F. Zanuck

Favorite scene: Brigadier General Savage (Peck) visiting a wounded pilot (Marlow) in the hospital.

Favorite line: "I never heard of a jury convicting the lawyer." - Major Stovall

Raves: Even though the film is about a WWII bomber group, this isn’t really a war movie. It’s more of a study of leadership and how Gregory Peck’s character is able to turn a “hard luck” bomber group into a successful unit despite resistance from his men. The film is very engrossing and the screenplay is well written. There is none of the usual overdone go-get-‘em mentality of most war films. Instead, the film depicts the real emotional damage war has on the people involved in a profound way.

Rants: None come to mind.

My take: My father has been trying to get both of us to watch Twelve O’Clock High for years, but I always shrugged it off as another war film (not my favorite genre). I’m glad I finally did watch it though, and I hope others don’t do what I did for so many years. While the film may not contain the snappy dialogue that I think makes other classic movies entertaining, it does have several short monologues or exchanges between characters that can be equally as engaging.

Recommended if: You're in the mood for a more thoughtful or thought provoking film.

Modern-Day Counterpart: The movie Gallipoli (1981) is similar in that it explores the effects of war on the solidiers fighting in it.