IMDb RATING
6.8/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
A dramatization of the American general and his court martial for publically complaining about High Command's dismissal and neglect of the aerial fighting forces.A dramatization of the American general and his court martial for publically complaining about High Command's dismissal and neglect of the aerial fighting forces.A dramatization of the American general and his court martial for publically complaining about High Command's dismissal and neglect of the aerial fighting forces.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 nominations total
Robert F. Simon
- Adm. Gage
- (as Robert Simon)
Stephen Roberts
- Maj. Carl Spaatz
- (as Steve Roberts)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Mitchell family was very unhappy with the film, especially the casting of the tall, laconic Gary Cooper in the lead role. The real Billy Mitchell was short with an explosive temper. The family thought James Cagney would have been ideal.
- GoofsIn the movie, Billy Mitchell is reduced in rank and transferred to Texas for disobeying orders during the bombing tests. Actually it was due to him talking to the press without permission and happened a few years after this event.
- Quotes
Admiral William S. Sims: The Navy hasn't got any policy on flying, they are ignoring the aeroplane in hopes that it will just go away.
- ConnectionsReferenced in M*A*S*H: 5 O'Clock Charlie (1973)
Featured review
Despite misgivings of the Mitchell family, it's still a good film.
Apparently, the Mitchell family was not particularly pleased with this film. Some of it was because the star, Gary Cooper, was nothing like Mitchell...neither in temperament nor size. Still, it is a reasonably good movie...one worth seeing.
The story is about Billy Mitchell, an Army officer who deliberately sacrificed his own career because he strongly felt the military was unfairly discounting air warfare. For example, in some tests, his superiors deliberately rigged the procedings to make the airplanes seem ineffective against naval ships. So, to prove his point, he ordered his men to make a more realistic attack...which resulted in his demotion. Still, he pressed until ultimately he was court martialed for insubbordination. This film is about the events leading up to this trial and a major portion of the film is a recreation of the trial.
Considering I am a retired history teacher, I am thrilled that this forgotten period in history hasn't been completely ignored. While a few things here and there were altered for cinematic reasons, it generally sticks to the facts...something unusual for Hollywood. Overall, it's also pretty compelling and worth your time.
The story is about Billy Mitchell, an Army officer who deliberately sacrificed his own career because he strongly felt the military was unfairly discounting air warfare. For example, in some tests, his superiors deliberately rigged the procedings to make the airplanes seem ineffective against naval ships. So, to prove his point, he ordered his men to make a more realistic attack...which resulted in his demotion. Still, he pressed until ultimately he was court martialed for insubbordination. This film is about the events leading up to this trial and a major portion of the film is a recreation of the trial.
Considering I am a retired history teacher, I am thrilled that this forgotten period in history hasn't been completely ignored. While a few things here and there were altered for cinematic reasons, it generally sticks to the facts...something unusual for Hollywood. Overall, it's also pretty compelling and worth your time.
- planktonrules
- Jan 25, 2019
- Permalink
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Der Flieger
- Filming locations
- El Monte, California, USA(Rosemead Airport as Langley Field)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $3,000,000
- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.55 : 1
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By what name was The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955) officially released in India in English?
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