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I do not prefer another film whose opening and closing scenes are more effective than those in this shining 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 wrote the book and then the screenplay. 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 interested emotionally in decisions to send B-17 crews on exceptionally unsafe 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 region is conducted. This is a essential 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 roar. And then….
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It would be a disservice to those who have not as yet seen this film to say any more about the place. Suffice to say that intelligent direction, spacious acting by everyone keen (notably by Dean Jagger who received an Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role), gracious 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 Harry Stovall (Jagger) makes an especially considerable remove in an antique store and then proceeds to what has by then become an abandoned air scandalous. As we launch to hear the bombers’ propellers grunt as the engines scream to life, we are transported succor in time. Later, as the film ends, civilian Stovall climbs benefit on his rented bike and departs what is again an abandoned air execrable. Blooming images throughout both sequences.
Peck included this among his current 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 (remarkable less the appreciation) it so obviously deserves. Whenever CEOs and other senior-level executives ask me to suggest war films which offer indispensable lessons about leadership and management, Twelve O’Clock High is first on the list, joined by (in alphabetical order) Negate Decision, The Dirty Dozen, The Enemy Below, Fort Apache, The Hunt for Red October, Paths of Glory, Pork Slit Hill, The Red Badge of Courage, They Were Expendable, and Zulu.
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If there is one war record to support on your shelf besides “Saving Private Ryan,” this is it.
It starts with a lawyer visiting England as a tourist years after war’s destroy. He discovers a cheap, ceramic antique which the store owner tells him is of diminutive value. “Value? ” replies the lawyer. “Wrap it very carefully” he adds. So begins his mental saunter attend 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 disapprove him into a cohesive unit. They turn into a group that will do anything to sustain from being left slack, or letting down their novel 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 fabricate the same mistake that the last group commander makes. He will always hold 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 dismal & white account is exceptional and superbly acted. It shows the mental tug-of-war a leader must get in the decisions that will cost the lives of men he has advance to care for 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 record, but it is one that will leave you breathless. It may sadden you, but it will not disappoint you. It does not ruin with everyone living, or delighted.
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 bulky length, it measured nine yards.
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