50 Great War Films: Twelve O'Clock High

 Although this is only my eighth War Film on the list, I have already realised I am thoroughly enjoying each picture. The stories are not just about War, but about the human condition. This movie, Twelve O'Clock High, is about the collapse of morale in a USA Army Air Force daylight precision bombing group. The trauma of lives being not only on the edge, but of falling off it, is powerfully conveyed. The film focuses more on the human element than the machinery of war or the actual aircraft. The opening title screen makes the position clear from the outset: These were the only Americans fighting in Europe in the Fall of 1942. They stood alone against the enemy (well, with the British, The Poles &c. &c.!)  and against doubts from home and abroad.

1949 Movie poster - directed by Henry King

The opening sequence is effective. Former USAAF Major Harvey Stovall sees a Toby Jug in the window of a London antique shop. Ignoring the trader's comments that it is worth very little, he buys it. Boxed up and perched in the front pannier of his bicycle, the Jug goes with Harvey on a nostalgic ride to Archbury airfield, where he served in the War. He reminiscences on the weed-covered, deserted runway; the camera pans skyward; it returns to 1942. Sure enough, the same Toby Jug is perched at the front of the flyers' meeting room. It is turned face to front whenever there is a meeting. Thanks to Harvey's character (well played throughout the film by Dean Jagger, who won a Best Actor in a Supporting Role  Oscar), it is a genuinely felt cameo.

The cut back to 1942 shows the bomber crews returning from a Mission; one plane crash lands (A B-17G bomber was actually crashed for the film by a stuntman!). The crew climb out traumatised by their experience (a co-pilot had had the back of his head shot off). Back in the Mess, a Lord Haw Haw broadcast further demoralises them as he taunts the Americans. No wonder, the following day 28 crewmen ask to be excused from their next raid. The Group Commander, Keith Davenport (Gary Merrill) is also part of the problem. He has got too close to his men and shows similar war-weariness. He is relieved of his post and in stalks Brigadier General Frank Savage - none other than no-nonsense Gregory Peck.

Dean Jagger and Gregory Peck

He wasn't the first choice: Clark Gable, John Wayne, Burt Lancaster, James Cagney, Dana Andrews, Van Heflin and others were considered. Peck I have watched in Hitchcock films and he can come across as a trifle 'wooden'. However, he is just right for this part. After a very rocky start with the men - early on he has a separate aircraft for those who have let the side down. On its side it has lettered 'Leper Colony' - he pulls them through (he piloted that same plane on a mission), but at great cost to his own well-being and stamina. The film ends with Peck lying exhausted on his bed, preparatory to a deep sleep. He had suffered mental exhaustion and simply could not get into his plane and then sat staring blankly into space in his room. Only when he heard the noise of the planes returning, with information about their success, did he start to get up again.

Peck and his crew in the cockpit

The support acting was also good and quite believable, showing how the various crew respond in different ways to the sheer horror of aerial combat and loss of their mates. How much can a man take?, says the Medical Officer at one point. The aerial battle scenes looked very real; and that's because they were! They were edited from actual combat footage from the USAAF and the Luftwaffe. Here was the reality of daylight bombing without fighter escort - only later did long-range fighter aircraft like the P-51 Mustang arrive to help.

The term "Twelve O'Clock High" refers to the practice of calling out the positions of attacking enemy aircraft by reference to an imaginary clock face, with the bomber at the centre. Thus, the phrase meant an attacker was approaching from directly ahead and above.

I have now watched war films depicting life and fighting in the three main Services - the Army, Navy and Air Force. I have often wondered, if I had had the choice, which would I have volunteered for? I think I might have a clearer idea once I have watched all 50 films!

The 2012 DVD edition