Twelve O'Clock High

Based on an actual Air Force bomber group, the Henry King-directed drama Twelve O'Clock High is one of the first films to take a complex look at World War II heroism. It depicts the physical and emotional stress of day-in and day-out flight combat and shows both pilots and officers as vulnerable individuals.

Gregory Peck plays a callous general the brass brings in to replace a commander (Gary Merrill) deemed too undisciplined and sympathetic to effectively lead the squadron. Dean Jagger portrays an introspective veteran of the First World War who serves as the glue holding together the frayed ends of the beleaguered squadron.

In addition to the fine acting, Twelve O'Clock High features impressive camerawork by Leon Shamroy who masterfully captures the harrowing tension of a dangerous aerial attack.

Twelve O'Clock High was added to the National Film Registry in 1998.


 * Bait and Switch Tyrant: An Invoked Trope. Gregory Peck's character's orders were to essentially be a Drill Sergeant Nasty in order to whip the demoralized unit into shape, knowing full-well that they would probably hate him for it. His efforts to instill discipline and order on the group are not well-received initially, but the men eventually recognize his competence, and the improvements in success rate and morale are evident.
 * Book Ends: Dean Jagger's character after the war, making the movie a Whole-Episode Flashback.
 * Dramatization: The Other Wiki says that the film includes "a thinly disguised version of the notorious Black Thursday strike against Schweinfurt."
 * Insignia Rip Off Ritual: After the same man gets busted from sergeant to private and then promoted back to sergeant later the same day -- on two separate occasions -- the general responsible for the demotions and promotions tells him to get zippers installed on the extra stripes.