Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #32334 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-05-03
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Black & White, Full Screen, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Icelandic, Finnish, Turkish, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Norwegian, Hebrew, Portuguese, Hungarian, Polish, Swedish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 126 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The war-time memories of surviving World War II bomber squadrons were still crystal clear when this acclaimed drama was released in 1949--one of the first post-war films out of Hollywood to treat the war on emotionally complex terms. Framed by a post-war prologue and epilogue and told as a flashback appreciation of war-time valour and teamwork, the film stars Gregory Peck in one of his finest performances as a callous general who assumes command of a bomber squadron based in England. At first, the new commander has little rapport with the 918th Bomber Group, whose loyalties still belong with their previous commander. As they continue to fly dangerous mission over Germany, however, the group and their new leader develop mutual respect and admiration, until the once-alienated commander feels that his men are part of a family--men whose bravery transcends the rigours of rigid discipline and by-the-book leadership. The film's now-classic climax, in which the general waits patiently for his squad to return to base--painfully aware that they may not return at all--is one of the most subtle yet emotionally intense scenes of any World War II drama. With Peck in the lead and Dean Jagger doing Oscar-winning work in a crucial supporting role, this was one of veteran director Henry King's proudest achievements, and it still packs a strong dramatic punch. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

Special Features
1.33 Full Screen
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo English
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Croatian\Czech\Danish\English\Finnish\Greek\Hebrew\Hungarian\Norwegian\Polish\Portuguese\Swedish\Turkish

Synopsis
Dashing Gregory Peck stars as General Frank Savage, commander of the 8th Air Force during World War II. Loosely based on the true story of Major General Frank A. Armstrong, TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH begins with Savage appearing to be a fearless fighter with almost no compassion for his men. Told in flashback from the perspective of Major Harvey Stovall (Dean Jagger), the story unfolds as Savage takes over Stovall's Bomb Group in 1942. The company has suffered numerous losses, morale is at an all-time low, and the tired pilots and their crews are immediately antagonised by Savage's obsession with discipline, leaving Savage and Stovall with the onerous task of rebuilding the pride of a fighting force that despises its leader. Jagger received an Oscar for his efforts, but the real star is Peck, exhibiting a vast repertoire to portray a complicated character. Using actual combat footage from both American and German cameras, director Henry King creates an environment in which bravery and heroism count but war itself is anything but romantic.

Customer Reviews

A Movie With A Soul.
This is a truly memorable film - comprising of a memorable story, memorable acting by Gregory Peck and memorable economical directing. However, the most memorable aspect of this film is the way it allows the story to seize your attention and then hands over to Peck and others to ensure your emotions are enagaged to the final end. The end is about victories of the soul and spirit as well as of men and machines. The feel of the film brings to ones remembrance the times of grave peril endured by Britain in the early years of the war. In essence the story tells of the redemption of a US Bomber Squadron based in Britain in the early years of the war after a run of 'bad luck'. It also tells of the great sacrifices made in the journey to final victory. If you are after a memorable movie experience - make this film your next stop!!

a deeply moving film that looks of the effects of war on men
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 marvellously flesh out by powerhouse actors that give it their all.

A deeply moving film with so much heart.

A Classic Second World War Film
The first time I saw this film, it was used as a management training aid where we had to identify different leadership styles. For this, it was highly effective. I liked it then, and was pleased to see it again after many years.

An American Colonel (Gregory Peck) whose aim is to improve the morale of an American daylight Bomber Group flying from an English war time aerodrome. They had sustained high losses...

Some excellent air to air shots filmed at the time - but essentially, it is the human aspect which makes this film for me.