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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
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
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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!!
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Written by two airmen who lived the story and made at a time before revisionists lost the plot, this film accurately portrays life for the airmen during the early part of the American daylight bombing campaign, initially over France and then the first raids over Germany. The characters and bomber group are all ficticious but the real people on whom they are based can easilly be identified by anyone with a reasonable knowledge of the history.
Technically the film is very accurate but with a few blunders : American scenary like a plank-built railway station and picket fences, several of the "enemy" fighters are actually Spitfires and P47's and some of the airplanes are B17G's instead of B17F's.
The acting varies from stiff to brilliant, with Peck delivering an oscar-worthy performance. Camera work and direction are very good.
On another level the film is an excellent study of military leadership methods and styles. It is also a basic lesson in warfare which the west seems to have forgotten in the 1950's.
Technically the film is very accurate but with a few blunders : American scenary like a plank-built railway station and picket fences, several of the "enemy" fighters are actually Spitfires and P47's and some of the airplanes are B17G's instead of B17F's.
The acting varies from stiff to brilliant, with Peck delivering an oscar-worthy performance. Camera work and direction are very good.
On another level the film is an excellent study of military leadership methods and styles. It is also a basic lesson in warfare which the west seems to have forgotten in the 1950's.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Forget the war (there's no bloodshed), forget the action (that's limited), forget sex - the nearest we get is Gregory Peck's thigh and there is not a woman in the film! - what Darryl F Zanuck's masterpiece shows is the positive attributes of great leadership along with the challenges it faces. It also exposes the leader as a 'friend' as a weak and ultimately failing approach. This film was designed to show leadership in its toughest environment and it achieves this wonderfully - remember it's based on fact so it has relevance where many other films fall down (Braveheart, Jerry Maguire etc) which are so far removed from any origins they are no longer connected to achievable outcomes.
Watch the nuances of expression - with no music to mask these, they are raw and meaningful.
Some amazing one-liners 'I didn't ask you to ask me....' 'Spit it out, with the bark on...' etc
A must for any aspiring Leader! - watch it at least 3 times to start to fully appreciate its complexity and subtlety, with the lessons it holds.
Watch the nuances of expression - with no music to mask these, they are raw and meaningful.
Some amazing one-liners 'I didn't ask you to ask me....' 'Spit it out, with the bark on...' etc
A must for any aspiring Leader! - watch it at least 3 times to start to fully appreciate its complexity and subtlety, with the lessons it holds.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Strong leadership, not bully-boy tactics
This good old stalwart was on TV again and as an admirer of Gregory Peck's laid-back but still Statesman like approach to his roles, I watched it again. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Tim Kidner
Twelve o'clock high
Excellent old film staring Gregory peck as a squadron commander
In the war .. He takes on a squadron of failing bombers
& changes the way they operate
In the war .. He takes on a squadron of failing bombers
& changes the way they operate
Published 2 months ago by Good service
Twelve O'Clock High - Peck and King combine for a thoughtful and...
Through the history of film there have been a few classic pairings of director and actor that have produced some out and out great films - Anthony Mann/James Stewart, John... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Victor
12 o'clock high
Post WWII classic about team building of a US bomber squadron under extreme circumstances.
Twelve O'clock High- Studio Classics [DVD].
Twelve O'clock High- Studio Classics [DVD].
Published 10 months ago by Whitershade
Alot of interiors.
I like Gregory Peck and think that The Gunfighter, Guns of Navarone, The Big country, Boys From Brazil and The Omen are 10 out of 10 films. Read more
Published 11 months ago by j.r
As Used by the RAF for Leadership Training
It's a great film about people and how they react to beiing led. It's about the commander of a base that loses his ability to lead as he goes native and joins sides with the very... Read more
Published 14 months ago by C. R. Downing
Great cinema
I first saw this film as a kid shortly after it was released and it moved me even then. Having recently moved to Suffolk I discovered that one of the writers had been C.O. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mr. G. Plank
A movie displaying much more humanity that could be expected for the...
The movie is rightly considered a classic and was probably quite surprising for the time it was made - focusing so heavily on the psychological trauma of war, even air war in 1949... Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2010 by AK
12 O'clock High
All though not one of Peck's best films, it is a film worth it's salt. it justifies the need of the U. S. A. in WW2.
Tony Ricketts
Tony Ricketts
Published on 5 Feb 2010 by A. R. Ricketts
Twelve O'Clock High (DVD)(1949) Gregory Peck
One of the finest films ever produced covering the contribution made by the men and women of the United States Army Air Force during World War 2. Read more
Published on 17 Nov 2009 by B. J. Bridges
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