Twelve O’ Clock High/633 Squadron/The Blue Max

Triple bill of classic war dramas. In ‘Twelve O’Clock High’ (1949), Colonel Keith Davenport (Gary Merrill) is more of a friend than a commander to his men, a US bomber crew stationed in wartime Britain. After a series of dangerous missions, the pilots are living on their nerves and when Davenport is replaced by the callous General Savage (Gregory Peck), the latter’s attempts to whip the crew into shape result in a deluge of requests for transfers. However, young Lieutenant Bishop (Robert Patten) rallies his fellow pilots, and soon they and Savage begin to develop a mutual respect. In ‘633 Squadron’ (1964), the eponymous squadron is sent to Norway during World War II to destroy an overhanging cliff that will demolish a bomb factory below run by the German forces. The squadron Wing Commander (Cliff Robertson) must work with the leader of the Norwegian resistance (George Chakiris) towards the common goal of keeping the Nazis in check. Finally, in ‘The Blue Max’ (1966), combat pilot Bruno Stachel (George Peppard) is determined to win the titular medal at whatever cost – even if it means betraying his own squadron. James Mason co-stars as the commander who threatens to thwart Stachel’s ambitions.