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Rating: 4.5 out of 5
If you don’t know me by now, you know I love some war films. They are the only films that are sometimes automatically rated R because of the violence and depiction they show. War films cover many themes, from brotherhood, sacrifice, friendship, horrors/death, love, pride, a place to get respect and honor, and so many others. War films can be incredibly violent and be the start of having you go on a journey to learn more. Many war films are set during World War II. That war was crazy with the violence, a dictator who wanted complete control, the atomic bomb, the Holocaust, and so many others. When the United States entered the war, it was talked about as a sleeping giant ready to battle. Shit got real. Often, war films focus on ground troops like Patton and Saving Private Ryan. Side note, the first 15 minutes of Saving Private Ryan are INSANE. I have a treat for you with a different perspective on the war. Twelve O’Clock High is a film about American bombers during the war. This time we get a tough-as-nails general who rolls up and takes command of a bombing group to show them what it really means to fight to their limits.
The story revolves around the 918th Bomb Group at Archbury. The group had gained the reputation of being called a “hard luck group” as they continuously dealt with disastrous mission after disastrous mission. They are commanded by Colonel Keith Davenport. Davenport always seems exhausted and demoralized, and his defeatist attitude has spread like wildfire throughout the men he has commanded. When he is ordered to fly another mission the next day, Davenport complains to his friend Brigadier General Frank Savage (Peck), the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations at VIII Bomber Command. Savage relays the message to his superior officer, Major General Pritchard, the commanding general of VIII Bomber Command. Savage believes that Davenport has gotten soft and become too emotionally close to his men rather than pushing them like the great General Patton. When the men investigate, they see that Savage is right and decides to relieve Davenport of command, and he takes command. Now it is up to General Savage to change the culture and mindset of the 918th Bomb Group.
I found the plot of this film fascinating, especially when Gregory Peck’s character was ordered to get bombers in shape and change the culture. The story reminded me of Patton before the film Patton even came out. War can have a terrible effect on people, and when friends/team members start dying. The emotional toll it takes on someone can leave them traumatized forever. Sometimes morale hits rock bottom, and a leader is needed to show them they are badass men who can handle anything. This story is no different. When General Savage rolls up, shit gets real. He plays no games. During the first twenty minutes under his command, he lets everyone know he means business. He demotes people for the slightest infractions, and during his first press conference with his men, he tells them that they will start believing in themselves.
The start of Savage’s command is TOUGH. Savages place the most incompetent crewmen into a single plane he calls the “Leper Colony.” Savage conducts ongoing training missions to restore the group’s pride. During this time, his men complain. Thinking he will be relieved of command, Major Stovall, who believes in what Savage is doing, decides to use his legal expertise to delay the process. During this time, Savage and his men receive a mission, and the group is ordered to abort, but Savage pushes them through. The group returns by successfully bombing their targets. This is where the movie changes as the men start believing in themselves.
After the first and several successful missions, Savage begins to change himself. His attitude softens towards the men as he becomes close to his men. As shit starts getting real as the advancement in Germany continues, Savage starts losing men. When Savage is asked to return to the office, he can’t let himself go as he thinks his men still need him. During the next mission, Savage completely loses it and goes into a catatonic state. Homeboy really loses it, and it is a sight to see from a tough man. He feels what Davenport went through. It wasn’t until the end that he let up and broke out of his state.
Unlike most war movies, this one didn’t have much or any at all. It goes on several bombing missions with the airborne crew, and that sound effect is everything. You saw the fear in the men, along with the sound of shell fire, all over the plane. The film did an excellent job of portraying the intensity of each new mission into Germany. The aircraft rocked from side to side, the scenes seemed a tad bit darker, and it was a gloomy place to be as you knew people were going to die.
Regarding the acting, I want to give major props to Gregory Peck as General Frank Savage. Peck made this film and was the one to watch. I need to see what role beat him for the Best Actor award because Homeboy was excellent in this film. When he rolled up to the base, he was fantastic. When he chewed out that one officer and told him he could call the supervisor, I wanted to stand up and applaud because he was that good. When Savage went into his catatonic state, Peck was excellent.
I want to give props to Dean Jagger as Major Stovall. Jagger was equally good as Stovall during his flashback scenes. My favorite part with him was when Savage rolled up on him, and he said he was drunk. That is taking honesty and being authentic to a whole new level.
Twelve O’Clock High is one of those movies that people should watch in a leadership class. It is one where people can learn about a culture change but also have people believing in their leaders. Gregory Peck was excellent as the tough-as-nails commanding general. Peck gave a master class in acting and chewing people out. Watch this film and learn many lessons about being a leader.
