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Command Decision (1948, Sam Wood)
Director: Sam Wood
Cast: Clark Gable, Van Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, Brian Donlevy, Charles Bickford, John Hodiak, Edward Arnold
Genre: War Drama
Synopsis (spoiler free): During World War II, a U.S. General (Clark Gable) is placed in charge of the 5th Bomber Division, air command center in England. The general must send the B-17 bombers deep into Germany to destroy the Nazi's new super weapon, the Messerschmitt, jet powered planes. The jet factories are deep in Germany where the bombers have to travel without the aid of U.S. fighter escort planes. This makes for a deadly mission for the Yanks. If they don't succeed, Germany will have the upper hand in air supremacy and could win the war. Along the way the general has to fight with U.S. congressmen and his own chain of command, over the political cost of losing so many American lives on the mission. To make matters worse the weather is only clear for high altitude aerial bombing for a few days over the targets.
My thoughts: Command Decision was adapted from a stage play, which in turn was based on a successful novel by the same name. Most of the movie's scenes are set inside the command center and adjacent rooms. The film introduces a number of military type characters and is rich in dialogue, as one would expect from a play based movie. What makes this a unique war film is it explores the military and political challenges of an air commander and those around him.
Not about action: there's no real war action scenes in this, it's more cerebral...and refreshingly so. That's not to say, it's not exciting, it's exciting. The conflict comes from the various opponents of the current bombing strategy as they try to outmaneuver each other.
Also interesting: is the all star, all male cast. There's not a woman to be seen, not even a sweetheart or a secretary. And what a cast this has! In one scene we get all the primary actors together in one large room, each giving their spew as to how the bombers should be used. It's an interesting contrast seeing Clark Gable up against Walter Pidgeon and Charles Bickford. With Van Johnson, John Hodiak and Brian Donlevey in the wings. I thought Clark Gable and Van Johnson were the stand outs in this, they both seemed very natural in their roles.
Pair Command Decision with Twelve O'Clock High (1949) and you'll have one helluva blast.
+
Command Decision (1948, Sam Wood)
Cast: Clark Gable, Van Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, Brian Donlevy, Charles Bickford, John Hodiak, Edward Arnold
Genre: War Drama
Synopsis (spoiler free): During World War II, a U.S. General (Clark Gable) is placed in charge of the 5th Bomber Division, air command center in England. The general must send the B-17 bombers deep into Germany to destroy the Nazi's new super weapon, the Messerschmitt, jet powered planes. The jet factories are deep in Germany where the bombers have to travel without the aid of U.S. fighter escort planes. This makes for a deadly mission for the Yanks. If they don't succeed, Germany will have the upper hand in air supremacy and could win the war. Along the way the general has to fight with U.S. congressmen and his own chain of command, over the political cost of losing so many American lives on the mission. To make matters worse the weather is only clear for high altitude aerial bombing for a few days over the targets.
My thoughts: Command Decision was adapted from a stage play, which in turn was based on a successful novel by the same name. Most of the movie's scenes are set inside the command center and adjacent rooms. The film introduces a number of military type characters and is rich in dialogue, as one would expect from a play based movie. What makes this a unique war film is it explores the military and political challenges of an air commander and those around him.
Not about action: there's no real war action scenes in this, it's more cerebral...and refreshingly so. That's not to say, it's not exciting, it's exciting. The conflict comes from the various opponents of the current bombing strategy as they try to outmaneuver each other.
Also interesting: is the all star, all male cast. There's not a woman to be seen, not even a sweetheart or a secretary. And what a cast this has! In one scene we get all the primary actors together in one large room, each giving their spew as to how the bombers should be used. It's an interesting contrast seeing Clark Gable up against Walter Pidgeon and Charles Bickford. With Van Johnson, John Hodiak and Brian Donlevey in the wings. I thought Clark Gable and Van Johnson were the stand outs in this, they both seemed very natural in their roles.
Pair Command Decision with Twelve O'Clock High (1949) and you'll have one helluva blast.
+