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Twelve O'Clock High

Play trailer Poster for Twelve O'Clock High 1949 2h 12m War Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In 1942, an American Air Force unit stationed in England is plagued with morale problems until no-nonsense Brigadier General Frank Savage (Gregory Peck) assumes command. His tough leadership is initially resented by not only his pilots but his second-in-command (Hugh Marlowe), a West Point graduate and son of a general. But, with the help of a hotshot flying ace (Robert Patten) and a sympathetic administrator (Dean Jagger), the unit pulls together into a gung-ho fighting crew.
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Twelve O'Clock High

Twelve O'Clock High

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Critics Consensus

Twelve O'Clock High is a high-stakes, high-tension war drama powered by great, well-written characters.

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Critics Reviews

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Bob Thomas Associated Press 07/25/2019
It is one of the best treatments of World War II. but not without its defects. These include its length and some of the old war picture cliches. But the acting (especially Peck) and direction approach greatness. Go to Full Review Empire Magazine 02/10/2012
5/5
A truly remarkable film, that manages to excite and enthrall as well as offer deep, rounded characters. Go to Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader 02/10/2012
Sincere, square, and interminable. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy May 28
3.5/4
Peck’s performance is one of his finest, and it’s at the center of a hard-hitting motion picture that was routinely used as a training tool in military academies. Go to Full Review Dudley Early Austin American-Statesman 06/19/2020
A very satisfying motion picture, 12 O'Clock High does not quite get over that indefinable line which marks the beginning of greatness. Go to Full Review Tracy Moore Common Sense Media 02/11/2015
4/5
Gripping psychological war drama has more talk than action. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Pete W @RT56398213 5d An all-time classic WW2 film The authentic scenes and the examples of the burdens of war on officers and men alike. Gregory Peck gives a stirring performance. Must watch for fans of the genre. See more The C. @Contrarian Feb 6 Magnificent. This film was made very shortly after the end of the war when it was still fresh in everyone's minds and experience. It is easily Peck's best film. See more John C @RT86041280 01/21/2025 This is my favorite of All Time War Movies and I have a LOT of them... A most excellent movie and for anyone who enjoys War Movies, this one is a requirement, especially if you like planes! See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 04/08/2024 It's a fairly low key, very low action and overwrought War film. Peck plays a strong role but it's not particularly dramatic. They set the scene well but it keeps setting the scene and the story ends in a bit of a lame way. Watched on DVD. See more Connor S @RT33873007 02/10/2024 This movie shows the extreme heroics of our greatest generation; but the lack of literally any kind of score makes this more of a drawn-out documentary than it should be. See more SICKS6SIX S @sicks6six 12/01/2023 One of the best aviation films of WW2 I've seen, Gregory Peck who plays General Savage is savage as he turns around a squadron of American bombers based in the UK from deadbeats to top flyers, Everyone in the film acts well, makes a nice change from America winning the war single-handedly without anyone help, it explores the human reaction to fear and death, fear of one's death, the flyers would be aged 18 -15 mainly with some older guys so turning them into fear loathing killers from homesick surfer boys must have been some tough job to do, there wasn't a 918 bomber group but there was a "hard-luck" group the 306th Bomb Group at Thurleigh, which (multiplied by three) became the 918th at Archbury in the book and movie. In November 1942, Eaker (then VIII Bomber Command commander) and Spaatz (Eighth Air Force commander) visited Thurleigh and didn't like what he found and decided to turn it around, the film is based on fact, filmed at Elgin and made to look like Thurleigh, 95% in my book of watchable WW2 films. See more Read all reviews
Twelve O'Clock High

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Cast & Crew

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Henry King

Director

Gregory Peck

Gen. Frank Savage

Dean Jagger

Maj. Harvey Stovall

Gary Merrill

Col. Ernie Davenport

Hugh Marlowe

Lt. Col. Ben Gately

Millard Mitchell

Maj. Gen. Pat Pritchard

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Twelve O'Clock High

Twelve O'Clock High (1949) Twelve O'Clock High (1949) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1942, an American Air Force unit stationed in England is plagued with morale problems until no-nonsense Brigadier General Frank Savage (Gregory Peck) assumes command. His tough leadership is initially resented by not only his pilots but his second-in-command (Hugh Marlowe), a West Point graduate and son of a general. But, with the help of a hotshot flying ace (Robert Patten) and a sympathetic administrator (Dean Jagger), the unit pulls together into a gung-ho fighting crew.
Director
Henry King
Producer
Darryl F Zanuck
Screenwriter
Sy Bartlett, Beirne Lay Jr.
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Genre
War, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 21, 1949, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 19, 2013
Runtime
2h 12m
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