‘Twelve O’Clock High’ Is a Great Movie Like ‘Top Gun’

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As a film enthusiast with a deep respect for both aviation culture and Hollywood blockbusters, I found myself captivated by both “Twelve O’Clock High” and the “Top Gun” duology. While “Twelve O’Clock High” stands as an exceptional piece of cinematic history, particularly for military audiences and war movie enthusiasts, it falls short in comparison to the lighter, more entertaining nature of the “Top Gun” films.

Having served in the Air Force myself, I can appreciate the technical accuracy and historical significance of “Twelve O’Clock High.” However, as someone who enjoys a good dose of humor with my action, the “Top Gun” films hit the mark. The charming banter between characters like Maverick and Iceman, coupled with the occasional shirtless scene featuring Miles Teller, make these movies a delight for general audiences.

In terms of authenticity, both films excel. The director of “Twelve O’Clock High” worked closely with military personnel to ensure accuracy, even earning praise from General Curtis LeMay. On the other hand, the “Top Gun” series is infused with the essence of air-man culture, honoring and occasionally poking fun at its traditions.

That being said, if you’re looking for a serious, thought-provoking film about the realities of war, “Twelve O’Clock High” should be your go-to. But if you’re after a mix of action, humor, and a dash of romance, the “Top Gun” films will undoubtedly provide a more enjoyable viewing experience.

To wrap it up, I would say that if you want to feel like you’ve just returned from a mission, watch “Twelve O’Clock High.” If you prefer something that leaves you feeling as light as a feather and slightly dizzy from all the action, go for the “Top Gun” series. And remember, always fly faster, turn left, and never forget to wear sunglasses at night.

As someone who has been a die-hard Top Gun fan since I was a kid, I can attest to both the exhilaration and the frustration that comes with being a devotee of this iconic franchise. On one hand, the adrenaline rush I get from watching fighter pilot movies is unparalleled, transporting me to a world of danger, skill, and camaraderie. On the other hand, the long waits between installments can be excruciating, leaving fans like myself yearning for more.

The recent release of Top Gun: Maverick was a much-needed breath of fresh air, with its impressive box office numbers ($1.496 billion) and critical acclaim speaking volumes about its success. However, despite the overwhelming positive response, there has been no official word on when we can expect a sequel. This is not an unfamiliar feeling for fans like myself, who had to wait over 30 years for the original movie to premiere.

Tom Cruise and Paramount Pictures have certainly kept themselves busy with other projects, but it’s hard not to feel a pang of disappointment when we’re left waiting for our beloved planes and aerial dogfights. But as someone who has weathered these long waits before, I remain hopeful that the next installment will be worth the wait. After all, the magic of Top Gun lies in its ability to take us on an unforgettable ride, and I can’t wait to see where this franchise takes us next.

Since the Tom Cruise-led franchise has ended, enthusiasts have had to endure long waits between films like Memphis Belle and Red Tails. Occasionally, bold independent filmmakers attempt to tell tales of military aviators, but these movies often fail to garner sufficient recognition due to either insufficient star power or limited budgets, resulting in reduced action. So, as fans eagerly await Cruise to complete his impossible missions, what alternative do they have? One option is Twelve O’Clock High, a critically acclaimed film from the 1940s that features authentic combat footage from World War II.

‘Twelve O’Clock High’ Is a Lengthy Analysis of Morale in the Workplace

The movie, “Twelve O’Clock High,” adapted from Sy Bartlett and Beirne Lay Jr.’s novel, portrays the reality of war by incorporating actual combat footage. The narrative primarily focuses on General Frank Savage (played by Gregory Peck), who is assigned to turn around the faltering 918th Bomb Group (a U.S. Army Air Forces unit). The story delves into the psychological pressures experienced by fighter pilots during wartime, and General Savage’s mission is to improve the efficiency of this struggling group.

The primary members are largely composed of young men who were persuaded to enlist for WWII during a surge of patriotic enthusiasm. Over the course of time, this group has faced an unrelenting and ceaseless barrage of death and hardship, causing those who survived to doubt the lofty principles that initially motivated them.

In their individual parts, everyone delivers admirably, but Peck, portraying the rugged general with battle-scarred and scaly hands, dominates every scene he’s in. Through rigorous preparation and fostering of personal bonds, Savage guides the team to accomplish dangerous bombing raids across various territories under Nazi control in Europe. Yet, the stress keeps piling up on the soldiers significantly.

Turner Classic Movies’ notes indicate that the production team managed to use genuine World War II footage by making an appeal to the United States Air Force. The majority of the filming was conducted at Eglin Air Force Base and its adjacent airfields close to Fort Walton, Florida, while extra background shots were taken at RAF Barford St John, a sub-station of RAF Croughton located in Oxfordshire, England.

The phrase “12 O’Clock High” refers to an attacker coming straight towards and above a pilot from their line of sight. Remarkably realistic, the film received four Oscar nominations, winning two – one for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Dean Jagger) and another for Best Sound Recording (Thomas T. Moulton). In time, this film was deemed worthy of preservation by the Library of Congress and selected for the United States National Film Registry.

Savage and Maverick Are Birds of a Feather

As a long-time enthusiast of aviation films, I can’t help but draw parallels between the character Savage and the younger version of Maverick from Top Gun. When it comes to Maverick being tasked with training Top Gun graduates, I recall my own skepticism in such situations, having been there myself in my military career. However, just as Maverick won over those trainees through high-stakes dogfighting, I’ve found that challenging and engaging my team members in a shared mission is the best way to build trust and foster a sense of camaraderie. In both life and film, it seems that the underdog always has a trick or two up their sleeve!

Similarly, Savage’s leadership tenure commences with a great deal of opposition, causing every pilot in the group to request transfers. Rather than yielding, he employs some bureaucratic maneuvers to postpone processing their transfer requests, thereby gaining more time. Swiftly, he manages to persuade them to follow his lead.

Characters in this scenario are fond of disregarding commands. In the movie Top Gun: Maverick, the main character defies orders by continuing with his “Darkstar” scramjet-powered hypersonic aircraft program and later conducts an unauthorized test flight to demonstrate that a mission deemed impossible can be completed faster. As a result, he gains the respect of the younger pilots, but inadvertently angers callous Vice Admiral Beau “Cyclone” Simpson (Jon Hamm), who views Maverick’s friendly demeanor and daring maneuvers as acts of disobedience.

During a mission, Savage also disregarded a recall order because of poor weather conditions, pushing the 918th to continue their operation and hit a designated target successfully. Later, he claimed that he failed to hear the recall due to equipment malfunction.

For enthusiasts of Top Gun, their experience is boundless with endless similarities, ensuring an even more enjoyable time. Remarkably, the aerial combat sequences and bombing operations are equally thrilling, mirroring the excitement found in the movie starring Tom Cruise.

The high quality isn’t really unexpected as the director played it safe throughout this project. In 1948, Hollywood’s top stunt aviator, Paul Mantz, was said to have received an unusually large sum of money ($4,500 or approximately $58,000 today) to perform a daring crash-landing of a B-17 bomber. Frank Tallman, his partner, noted in his memoir that while one pilot had managed to land many B-17 planes, this was the first time such a plane took off with only one pilot. Most people thought it couldn’t be done, but Mantz proved them wrong.

Is ‘Twelve O’Clock High’ the Better Film?

12 O’Clock High holds its ground alongside timeless masterpieces like The Battle of Algiers by Pontecorvo and A Man Escaped by Bresson. It even surpasses the Top Gun films, reaching new heights among the most awe-inspiring fighter pilot movies ever made. As noted in Air Force Magazine (Vol 94), this film was essential viewing at all U.S. service academies, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachments, the U.S. Navy’s former Aviation Officer Candidate School, Air Force Officer Training Schools, and the Coast Guard Officer Candidate School. In these educational settings, it served as a teaching tool for students learning about situational leadership theory.

Screenwriter Beirne Lay Jr. additionally brought military background to the table, lending authenticity to the film beyond mere cinematic illusion. Bartlett collaborated extensively with Colonel Armstrong (the basis for General Savage), at the Eighth Air Force headquarters. Moreover, the film garnered approval from the head of the Strategic Air Command, General Curtis LeMay. After viewing the premiere, he courageously declared that he “couldn’t find any flaws in it.

Instead, let me rephrase it for you: In fact, the two “Top Gun” movies are more suitable for a wider audience. They are beautifully made and brimming with wit, skillfully balancing respect and satire for air force culture. Moreover, it’s hard to resist a film series when Miles Teller shows off his physique, and it’s equally challenging for men to ignore Kelly McGillis’ portrayal of the ultimate blonde temptress.

12 O’Clock High caters more to veterans, servicemen, and war movie aficionados due to its technical approach, but it fails to deliver the entertaining aspects typically found in movies. Unlike the chemistry between Maverick and Penny Benjamin, there are no chance encounters with old flames. Instead of witty banter or playful rivalries, the focus is solely on serious military matters.

Maverick or Savage? Watch and choose.

12 O’Clock High can be rented or purchased in the United States on platforms like Amazon, FandangoNow, Apple TV+, and Google Play Movies & TV.

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2024-12-30 00:02