Customer Reviews

Twelve O'Clock High [VHS]

5 star:		(153)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I do not recall another film whose opening and closing scenes are more effective than those in this brilliant portrayal of the 918th Bombardment group based in England which flew almost daily missions to Germany during World War II. The character of General Frank Savage (Gregory Peck) is reputedly based on Brigadier General Frank A. Armstrong, Jr. Sy Bartlett co-authored the screenplay with the book's author, Berney Lay, Jr. Brilliantly directed by Henry King, we are introduced to a combination of combat fatigue and self-pity which results in the replacement of Colonel Keith Davenport (Gary Merrill) by his friend Savage who is told by his commanding officer, General Pritchard (Millard Mitchell), to shape up the 918th while avoiding Davenport's problem: Becoming overly involved emotionally in decisions to send B-17 crews on exceptionally dangerous missions, day after day after day. Savage immediately establishes his authority and almost immediately loses whatever goodwill he may have had. He applies and then maintains constant pressure on the crews to improve their performance in all areas of flight operations. Underachievers are reassigned to one B-17 renamed "The Leper Colony." Morale deteriorates to such a point that those at headquarters become concerned. A formal investigation of the situation is conducted. This is a critical moment for Savage. If he has "lost" his men, he cannot continue. In fact, he expects to be relieved and begins to pack his personal items. However, for reasons best revealed in the film, Savage remains in command. And then....

It would be a disservice to those who have not as yet seen this film to say any more about the plot. Suffice to say that brilliant direction, great acting by everyone involved (notably by Dean Jagger who received an Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role), superb cinematography (Leon Shamroy), and haunting music (Alfred Newman) are seamlessly integrated in this analysis of effective leadership (especially decision-making) under wartime conditions. The film begins when Harvey Stovall (Jagger) makes an especially significant purchase in an antique store and then proceeds to what has by then become an abandoned air base. As we begin to hear the bombers' propellers whine as the engines roar to life, we are transported back in time. Later, as the film ends, civilian Stovall climbs back on his rented bike and departs what is again an abandoned air base. Stunning images throughout both sequences.

Peck included this among his favorite films, while adding that he was especially proud of his performance as Frank Savage. When first released more than 50 years ago, it did not receive the recognition (much less the appreciation) it so obviously deserves. Whenever CEOs and other senior-level executives ask me to suggest war films which offer important lessons about leadership and management, Twelve O'Clock High is first on the list, joined by (in alphabetical order) Command Decision, The Dirty Dozen, The Enemy Below, Fort Apache, The Hunt for Red October, Paths of Glory, Pork Chop Hill, The Red Badge of Courage, They Were Expendable, and Zulu.

If there is one war story to keep on your shelf besides "Saving Private Ryan," this is it.

It starts with a lawyer visiting England as a tourist years after war's end. He discovers a cheap, ceramic antique which the store owner tells him is of little value. "Value?" replies the lawyer. "Wrap it very carefully" he adds. So begins his mental journey back in time to the English airstrip where he served as adjutant of the 918th (nine, eighteenth) Bomb Group.

This "hard luck" group is taken over by a brigadier general from a colonel who has "over-identified" with his men, thus putting them before his missions. The general, Frank Savage, must restore group discipline and performance before the group disintegrates as an effective fighting unit.

General Savage puts mission before men and turns the disgruntled men who despise him into a cohesive unit. They turn into a group that will do anything to keep from being left behind, or letting down their new leader. (Each announcement of a mission for the following day is characterized by the operations officer going to the mantel over the fireplace, in the Officers' Club, and turning the head of a ceramic pirate face outward.)

But the tough general will not make the same mistake that the last group commander makes. He will always keep the mission first, and will not over-identify with his men. He will not let the loss of his men affect him.

Or, will he?

This black & white story is exceptional and superbly acted. It shows the mental tug-of-war a leader must make in the decisions that will cost the lives of men he has come to admire and respect. It depicts how the ugliness of war brings out the best in ourselves, and creates fraternal bonds that last a lifetime.

This is not a gory story, but it is one that will leave you breathless. It may sadden you, but it will not disappoint you. It does not end with everyone living, or happy.

War never does.




P.S. The "whole nine yards" refers to the length of ammunition in a box that was attached to each machine gun in the bomber. When the linked ammunition was stretched to its full length, it measured nine yards.

Those who think that "Saving Private Ryan" was a great movie ought to watch this old black and white classic. In virtually every aspect except photography and sound "Twelve O'Clock High" is superior. The script by Sy Bartlett in particular is vastly superior.

Spielberg's film focused on some of the command problems faced by Capt. John Miller (Tom Hanks) in fulfilling his combat mission, but the treatment and development were almost high schoolish (if I may) compared to the enthralling delineation in "Twelve O'Clock High." The problems encountered by Gregory Peck as the bomber group commander were complex, subtle and psychologically demanding, while the resolution was filled with the kind of male social and political dynamics not much explored at the movies these days. (We have female dynamics aplenty.)

Director Henry King's clean, crisp, "invisible" direction was also superior to the uneven and far too showy pandering from Spielberg. Furthermore the acting, with Gary Merrill and Hugh Marlowe supporting Peck, was also better. Ted Danson in his cameo and Matt Damon at times in "Saving Private Ryan" were almost laughable.

Comparing the two movies makes one wonder how much movies really have improved. Technically they have in every respect, but too often today's film-makers think they can get by with special effects and splashy sets. Pour a lot of blood, show a lot of skin, get people at each other's throat, and it will play, seems to be the attitude. What is often forgotten are the two most important aspects of film, namely, story and character development. In this respect I don't think today's films have improved on the great classics of the past.

I was disappointed when the DVD version of this film was released. I saw it in theaters in 1949 (probably 10 times)and still recall several missing scenes that are important to the plot. When the DVD came out I was excited thinking that surely they would have been restored in this format without the space constraints of VHS. I was wrong. The current cut, for example, does not explain the significance of the Toby mug that Dean Jagger finds in a London shop and replaces on the airbase officers' club mantlepiece. There are others, such as what happens to the young navigator and why. Obviously, I think this is one of the greatest war movies of all time. I just hope someday a director's cut is released with all the missing scenes restored. It's still worth buying but the film is incomplete without the missing scenes.

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.

This is not a traditional action based war movie. In fact, apart from one mission near the end, it is set entirely on the ground.

However, the film shows the real horrors of war in a matter of fact way that no other film of the time did. For instance, early on the doctor commenting on a severely wounded, delirious pilot: "I wouldn't have believed it if I wasn't looking at it. You can see his brain."

The film dissects various leadership styles, showing the merits and faults of each - but in a dramatic way. Col. Davenport, who cares about his men, and gets their loyalty - but who eventually crumbles under the strain. Hard nosed General Savage's by the book "they're men - not boys" style - until he begins to care too much as well. And General Pritchard overlooking it all.

Henry King knew he had a great script and cast. He basically just pointed his cameras at the actors and let them get on with it. The film is full of long one-take scenes. The scene where Savage dresses down Gately clocks in at some 6 minutes of continuous film with no cuts.

No violence. No "lurve" scenes or romance. Just a deeply rewarding film experience for adults looking for more than mindless action.

12 O'Clock High is one of the best films on leadership ever made. The story opens with the return to England of American bomber pilots from a daylight bombing mission over Nazi occupied Europe. Colonel Keith Davenport (Gary Merrill) is the commander of a squadron whose task it is to destroy German military installations. He is a competent professional officer who cares deeply for his men. Unfortunately, in his zeal to keep them from being killed, he forgets his mission and is relieved of his command.

Col. Davenport is replaced by General Frank Savage (Gregory Peck), who says to the pilots at his first meeting with them, "Consider yourself already dead." This speech signals a completely different approach to leadership. General Savage relentlessly trains the pilots and succeeds in building a first-rate fighting unit. His hard line does not come without a price. His men rebel and want to be transferred out of the unit. Only with the help of his adjutant (Dean Jagger) does Savage hold the group together and begin to build competence and esprit de corp.

The effects of contrasting leadership styles have seldom been so effectively portrayed. Colonel Davenport is a first-rate officer who over identifies with his men and fails miserably. The moral of the story is that the appropriate leadership style is essential to accomplish challenging goals and objectives. It is not enough to be hard working, conscientious, and caring. Leaders must analyze the situation, know the competence and commitment of their people, and then select the style of leadership appropriate for the task at hand.

The dramatic scenes between Davenport, Savage, and the American pilots are expertly written and filled with tension. Actual war footage is used for several of the action scenes and the film moves forward at a steady pace. The performances of the entire cast are excellent with Gregory Peck, always a reliable actor, at the top of his form. Dean Jagger took home the Academy Award for best supporting actor in a film that deserved similar honors.

Many people dismiss the acting of Gregory Peck as John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster sort of actor. Their roles reflect their own personality, rather than the characters. Sadly, I think of lot of good acting has been given off-the-cuff reviews. Peck's body of work speaks for itself, From 'To Kill a Mockingbird' to 'Guns of Navarone' - and all the deft works between - he has proved his class as an actor, as a screen legend.

Twelve O'clock high is a very moving film. It's in B&W, and I think personally, the film benefits from this. It gives you the grim realities of sending young men out to die and the men who shoulder that decisions. There are bigger epics - like the air shows of 'The Battle of Britain' or the tank saga of 'The Battle of the Bulge', but I don't think any film can really touch the power of this film. It does not deal with the battles, but the men. It is a quiet film that address the pressures men face, the ones going out there and fighting, the ones that stay behind and give the orders. It is bloody brilliant!

Gregory Peck stars as Brig. Gen. Frank Savage. At the start of the film, he is dealing with the Lt. Col. Ben R. Gately played by the underrated and very natural actor, Hugh Marlowe. Gately is very popular with his men, because he cares. Each time he sends them out and they do not come back, his heart bleeds. Slowly the grim guilt is grinding him down. Savage sees his friend's problems as one of distancing himself from the men. If you stay aloof, do not get involved with them personally, the decisions would come easier. When Savage voices this opinion once too often, he is told to put his money with his mouth is - he is to take over for the cracking Gately.

Savage arrives. Immediately he is in the untenable position of being he replacement for the much beloved Gately. His by-the-book, shut up and salute, does not earn him adoration. In fact, the whole unit has all written transfer requests. Standing between the martinet Savage and is men who would like to frag him, is Maj. Harvey Stovall (Dean Jones in one of his best performances of his career). Stovall was very devoted to Gately, but sees both sides of the problem and truly understands the bottom line - unless you are totally without a heart, there is NO way to keep the emotional distance from your men. Eventually, the line is blurred and you care. Something Savage slowly learns, and grinds him down just as Gately did.

It's brilliantly written, with incisive insight that is marvelously flesh out by powerhouse actors that give it their all.

A deeply moving film with so much heart.

Just a note - Robert Lansing played the same character for the television series of that name and did equal justice to the role. Please release these on DVD for Lansing fans.

It's natural that all of the customer reviews for this movie elaborate on the military context. From that perspective, there is nothing more to add that hasn't already been written - Twelve O'Clock High is a magnificant war movie made shortly after WWII, and is worthy viewing now, 50+ years after it was made. Yet there's another context for the movie that bears discussing.

Twelve O'Clock High is one of the best movies on leadership that has ever been made, and there are lessons applicable to today's business world that every manager could benefit from. This is not to say that managers/leaders should put in practice the various techniques employed by Gregory Peck's character, however managers/leaders can learn how a 'manager' changed a disenfranchised and demotiviated workforce of individuals into an effective, proud group/team.

Better than spending thousands on management guru's who ineffectively train potential management 'leaders', companies would benefit by watching this movie in a group setting and discussing some of the techniques/methods the Peck character uses to transform the squadron. There's a common modern management technique for accomplishing corporate/department/individual goals - Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Tactics. This is a heirarchy, where a single goal is developed, then objectives developed to accomplish the goal, then strategies developed around each objective, then finally tactics developed around each strategy.

In Peck's case, the highest order goal was something like 'Create a precision bombing squadron capable of making daylight bombing runs into Germany' (as given to him by his superior). In order to accomplish this goal, Peck had several objectives: 1) Executional excellence within all squadran functions; 2) Allegiance to group over self; 3) Accomplish missions with mimimal loss of life; etc...

A strategy employed in support of objective 1) was squadran drilling - relatively unheard of for battle-hardened squadrons (i.e. "What do we need to drill for since we've been on live missions?"). Another strategy was to highlight and learn from poor performance - here, Peck's character used several tactics: 1) Group review of individual poor performers at daily briefings, and 2) Poor performers were assigned to a 'loser's plane.

These are just a few examples of many within the film, and certainly each can be argued for and against. There is not a more difficult leadership task then balancing a person's life, or a small group of people's, against the lives of many within your responsibility. What managers/leaders do in the business environment pales in comparison. Nonetheless, Peck's character did transform the group, under extremely dire circumstances and incredible performance/time pressure. A fascinating movie, that any leader, or prospective leader, would benefit from watching.

Twelve "O'Clock High is a powerful and true-to-life film dealing with the early days of the 8th US Air Force in Great Britain. Its mission: to bomb Germany not by night in saturation bombings as the British were doing, but instead to boldly engage in "precision daylight bombing." No one knew if the concept was viable because no one had ever dared try it before on a large scale. Gregory Peck plays the role of a leader suddenly thrust into command of a deeply troubled, demoralized, and shot-up bomber squadron. How he motivates the men and overcomes the fact that the men well know that their chances of survival were poor (the worst survival odds of any American combat assignment in the war) is a deeply moving, powerful, indeed unforgettable story. This is a great movie.

The cinematography of this movie is wonderful, featuring actual combat footage of B-17s engaging German Focke-Wulf fighters in deadly combat. The sense of authenticity that this movie brings to the screen is total. One feels transposed back into England in 1942, engaged in a life-and-death struggle in the air against the Germans. The uniforms, dialogue, everything, about this movie reeks of authenticity. The storyline moves along at a breakneck pace--no dull interludes. And yet this is not just a "shoot-em-up" war flick. It is a stirring story of leadership, personality clashes, honest fear and human imperfections that reminds us what an incredible debt we all owe to the men who fought and won the air war over Nazi Germany.

This is a DVD movie to keep and watch repeatedly over the years. It is not only a great movie, it is wonderfully entertaining. This is truly one of the all-time great war movies.