Twelve O’clock High – (1959) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gregory Peck, Dean Jagger, Hugh Marlow. One of the best air action films ever made about WWII daylight bombing of Germany. This film tells the realistic story of the 918th bomber group that’s down on it’s luck. The current group commander is very consoling to his troops but the group is not completing it’s daytime bombing raids with much success while suffering huge losses. A general staff officer General Frank Savage – (Gregory Peck) is put in charge of the group to get them into shape for battle. Savage quickly finds the troops are not ready for his hard tactics and discipline. Through the help of adjutant general Major Harvey Stoval (Dean Jagger) Savage begins a period intense training and ultimately starts to lead the group to success – although the heavy losses continue to plague the group. As the group bombing success increases, the stress and fatigue grow on Savage as he attempts to carry the group on his shoulders.
Actual B-17 flying and gunner footage add believability to this film. Lot’s of take off and landings footage. A few segments of German ME-109 footage also. Great B-17 crash landing scene flown by Hollywood pilot Paul Mantz. Dean Jagger received a supporting actor academy award for his role as adjutant general Harvey Stoval. Excellent movie to have in any aviation movie collection.
See our link below to order this movie from our on-line store. Review by EverthingAirplanes 2019