Twelve O'clock High
Action, Drama, War
20th Century Fox  (1949) 132 mins NR

7.9 (4,205 votes)
"A Masterpiece…One Of The Finest Casts Put On A Motion Picture Screen." -Hollywood Reporter

This gritty World War II action drama starring Gregory Peck, Oscar® winner Dean Jagger, Hugh Marlow, Gary Merrill and Millard Mitchell is seen as one of the most realistic portrayals of the heroics and perils of war. Convinced an Air Force commander is at the breaking point, Brigadier General Savage (Peck) takes over his struggling bomber group. At first resentful and rebellious, the flyers gradually change as Savage guides them to amazing feats. But the stress of command soon takes its tool and the weary general reaches his own breaking point.

Authentic aerial battle footage and numerous acclaimed performances make Twelve O'Clock High a credible, stirring tale of courage and sacrifice....

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Cast and Crew
Gregory Peck  ......  General Savage
Dean Jagger  ......  Major Stovall
Robert Arthur  ......  Sgt. McIllhenny
Gary Merrill  ......  Col. Davenport
Hugh Marlowe  ......  Lt. Col. Ben Gately
Millard Mitchell  ......  General Pritchard
Director  .....  Henry King
Producer  .....  Darryl F. Zanuck
Writer  .....  Sy Bartlett; Beirne Lay Jr.
Notes
Filming Locations:
Eglin Air Force Base, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, USA (more)

Trivia:
The air battles were cut together from authentic World War II footage. (more)

Goofs:
Anachronisms: Insignia incorrect for the period. The Schweinfurt ball bearing plant raids took place in 1943. By that time, the national insignia had the bars on each side of the round star background. Apparently the older star-on-blue with no bars was used to match documentary footage inserted into the movie. (more)

Quotes:
General Frank Savage: [on stalling the transfer paperwork] There can be trouble in this.
Major Harvey Stovall: I don't think so, sir. I never heard of a jury convicting the lawyer.
(more)

Awards:
Won 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations (more)