Sorry, this movie sucks

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Twelve O'Clock High is a watchable straight forwardly told World War II drama. Its scope is rather narrow, only telling the story of one man and his assignment and not delving into his life and thoughts outside of that assignment.We could of got to know each of the crew a bit or got to know Savage more or perhaps more detail in the actual dropping of the bombs. I respect the film and what it's about, it just didn't do enough for me. There was too much drama and not enough war and all of it surface level.

This movie is just plain out incredible. One of my favorite movies ever is Patton, and after watching 12 o'clock high, I can see how Patton got it's template. I'm sure many other movies copied the magic of 12 O'clock High. So many movies loose their focus by thinking they need a love interest planted into it. This movie didn't lower the bar and force that in. I spent 16 years of my life in three different services and all being aviation. For 6 years I was part of an aircrew, this movie kept it real all the way, I wish anything that modern movies would keep things as real as this movie did, a movie that was filmed over 50 years ago. Dean Jagger's character "Maj. Harvey Stovall" was just as important as Gregory Peck's "Gen. Frank Savage" part. Jagger was absolutely awesome as the action starved paper pusher that picks up exactly what Gen. Savage is putting down, helping him stall the pilot's transfers. After every movie I watch, I always think to myself, "If I was the Director, what would I of done different?" This is one of those very few movies that just came out perfect. It has the perfect actors, perfect storyline, perfect editing, and perfect ending, what else can I say,,,, this is just a perfect movie.

An introduction reveals action sequences herein are actual wartime footage. In 1949 London, American lawyer Dean Jagger (as Harvey Stovall) buys a familiar jug from an oddly disinterested antique shop clerk. Further reminded of his World War II service, Mr. Jagger visits the gloomy airfield where he served with the US Air Force in 1942. As he pointedly cleans his glasses, we flashback...When bomb raid commander Gary Merrill (as Keith Davenport) begins to have disciplinary problems among his crew, casualties rise and many pilots start "calling in sick." To stop the bleeding, Mr. Merrill is replaced by tough task-master Gregory Peck (as Frank Savage). General Peck recognizes Merrill's problem as "over-identification with his men" and becomes a strict, impersonal commander. At first, the approach doesn't work and the every pilot asks for a transfer. A World War I veteran keeping paperwork in order, Jagger agrees to delay the transfer requests while Peck attempts to whip the airmen into shape...The flight commander cracking under pressure was a tale often told, with the World War I equivalent seen most notably in the 1930s "Dawn Patrol" films. Jagger's supporting role was noted as one of the year's best. Hugh Marlowe (as Ben Gately) and others likewise excel. Producer Darryl F. Zanuck and director Henry King score high-flying points this time, with an excellent cast and crew.******* Twelve O'Clock High (12/21/49) Henry King ~ Gregory Peck, Dean Jagger, Hugh Marlowe, Gary Merrill

It's 1949 London. Stovall buys a gaudy cheap mug but he values it like fine china. He travels to Archbury which is the derelict home of the 918th Bomb Group during the War. The movie flashes back to the dark days when they had the reputation of a hard luck group due to daylight bombing. Their commander Davenport (Gary Merrill) confronts headquarters and his friend Brigadier General Frank Savage (Gregory Peck). Davenport is relieved of command and the group is given to Savage. Savage brings stiff discipline back to the group.The first hour and forty five minutes are rather bland. Gregory Peck keeps the movie going. It is considered one of the more accurate depiction of a bomber group from that era. It's also not necessarily that dramatic. The last section is their big mission and it is intercut with real footage of the air battle. Some of the footage is unreal and it's the more compelling because they are the real thing.