Brief Summary Of The Movie 'Twelve O' Clock High

Even though “Twelve O’clock High” was released in 1950, it has excellent lessons that show the differences of good and bad leadership and how these styles can affect a units ability to accomplish its mission. As in World War 2, good leadership today is needed for organizations to achieve their goals. Gregory Peck did great credit to his role as General Frank Savage and the soundtrack works seamlessly for the time period portrayed. This is an outstanding vintage war movie that shows the benefits of charismatic leadership, an illustration of exceptional acting and a soundtrack that fits perfectly for the theme.
It was 1942 at Archbury Airfield in England. The 918th Bomber Group had just returned from another dismal bombing mission against German targets over France. Bad weather, low-altitude missions and high crew loses was driving morale down and not getting the desired results. This is the backdrop for the start of the movie “Twelve O’clock High”. We all have seen in daily life how good and bad leadership can affect ourselves and those around us. Good leadership can mean the difference of the organization accomplishing their tasks versus failing at them. Bad leadership can make or break any organization, from military to …show more content…
Peck is at his best in “Twelve O’clock High”. Flawless through every scene as an Air Force General forced to browbeat a demoralized B-17 Bomber Group back to peak operations. There are well-directed scenes where the unbending Peck rides his men with extra fury in order to steel them against all possibilities. By the end of the film we learn that this is impossible for General Savage, the unit still suffers heavy casualties and he develops an attachment with his men that he must order into battle every morning. This results in his nervous breakdown. Gregory Peck is spot-on in every scene and imbues himself well as one of the best actors of his