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WarActionDrama

Twelve O'Clock High

- A story of twelve men as their women never knew them...

In the early days of daylight bombing raids over Germany, General Frank Savage must take command of a 'hard luck' bomber group. Much of the story deals with his struggle to whip his group into a disciplined fighting unit in spite of heavy losses, and withering attacks by German fighters over their targets.

Release Date : 1949-12-21

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : 20th Century Fox

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Gregory Peck

Character Name : Brigadier General Frank Savage

Original Name : Gregory Peck

Gender : Male

Hugh Marlowe

Character Name : Lieutenant Colonel Ben Gately

Original Name : Hugh Marlowe

Gender : Male

Gary Merrill

Character Name : Colonel Keith Davenport

Original Name : Gary Merrill

Gender : Male

Millard Mitchell

Character Name : Major General Patrick Pritchard

Original Name : Millard Mitchell

Gender : Male

Dean Jagger

Character Name : Major / Lieutenant Colonel Harvey Stovall

Original Name : Dean Jagger

Gender : Male

Robert Arthur

Character Name : Sergeant McIllhenny

Original Name : Robert Arthur

Gender : Male

Paul Stewart

Character Name : Major "Doc" Kaiser (flight surgeon)

Original Name : Paul Stewart

Gender : Male

John Kellogg

Character Name : Major Cobb

Original Name : John Kellogg

Gender : Male

Robert Patten

Character Name : Lieutenant Bishop

Original Name : Robert Patten

Gender : Male

Lee MacGregor

Character Name : Lieutenant Zimmerman

Original Name : Lee MacGregor

Gender : Male

Sam Edwards

Character Name : Lieutenant Birdwell

Original Name : Sam Edwards

Gender : Male

Roger Anderson

Character Name : Interrogation Officer

Original Name : Roger Anderson

Gender : Male

Lawrence Dobkin

Character Name : Captain Twombley, group chaplain

Original Name : Lawrence Dobkin

Gender : Male

Paul Picerni

Character Name : Bombardier

Original Name : Paul Picerni

Gender : Male

Harry Lauter

Character Name : Radio officer

Original Name : Harry Lauter

Gender : Male

Barry Jones

Character Name : Lord Haw-Haw, German radio commentator (voice)

Original Name : Barry Jones

Gender : Male

Don Gordon

Character Name : First patient in base hospital

Original Name : Don Gordon

Gender : Male

Kenneth Tobey

Character Name : Sgt. Keller

Original Name : Kenneth Tobey

Gender : Male

Patrick Whyte

Character Name : Clerk

Original Name : Patrick Whyte

Gender : Male

Peter Ortiz

Character Name : Weather Observer

Original Name : Peter Ortiz

Gender : Male

Reviews

J

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

Under Pressure. Twelve O'Clock High features one of Gregory Peck's best performances as Brigadier General Frank Savage, a tough no nonsense martinet brought in to shake up a World War II Bomber Squadron. The men are shattered emotionally and after it's deemed that their previous commander (Gary Merrill) has been soft with them, there is no chance of that happening with Savage - but is he himself taking too much on? Split into two parts, the first half of pic deals with how a group of men in war time can reach their lowest ebb. Fear of the jinx, fear of cracking under the strain, these men are by definition demoralised. Things are further compounded by the appointment of Savage, who drags the group further down the battered emotional scale. Second half softens things for a short while as Savage's methods begin take a hold, then there's the missions, which in turn builds to the film's revelation, which as it happens lets Peck become a revelation as well. Director Henry King is on form, showcasing the skill of directing an ensemble cast, which sees Dean Jagger add mighty heft to the work of Peck, Merrill, Hugh Marlowe, Paul Stewart and Millard Mitchell. The flying sequences are expertly photographed (Leon Shamroy), with the real footage splicing very effective, while the writing allows the piece to exude a realism factor, which then offers up a more humane war film that is delving into psychological stings. 8/10

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2022-07-09

Gregory Peck is on top form in this gritty, authentic looking recounting of the actions of a battle-weary USAF squadron during WWII. Peck is "Gen. Savage" drafted into replace an extremely popular, but no longer effective squadron commander. Initially, his hard-nosed approach to them, their training and their attitudes engenders hostility, but over a period of time - and with the assistance of the intelligent camp adjutant/chief administrator "Maj. Stowell" (Dean Jagger) he sets about trying to change these opinions (and some of his own) before his entire squad transfers out. Henry King has managed to create a film that unsentimentally encapsulates some of the senses of frustration, fear, low morale and trauma that went with the relentlessness of constant missions - regardless of rank - not knowing who might return. The supporting cast - featuring Hugh Marlowe and Gary Merrill compliment the star well; some excellent original aerial battle cinematography and the Sy Bartlett screenplay has pace and detail enough to make this 2¼ hour assessment of leadership under enormous pressure a thoroughly entertaining and at times thought-provoking watch.