Research, ideas, and leadership for a more secure, peaceful world
The academy award winning classic war film with combat film footage from allied and German aircraft. Used by U.S. service academies to teach the principles of leadership. You will be challenged and moved.
Belfer Center’s Defense and Intelligence Projects presents a showing of the Academy Award winning film, 12 O’Clock High, in Trustman Lecture Hall, Room L150, off the Forum in Kennedy School, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, April 24th, 2013.
Released in 1949, the WWII movie uses real combat film footage from allied and German planes presenting what veterans of the air campaign over Europe termed, “the only Hollywood film that accurately captured [their] combat experiences.”
The movie is a classic on war and leadership used by instructors in the service academies to teach future officers about the principles of leadership.
During WWII, General Frank Savage (Gregory Peck) arrives to command the 918th Bombardment Group and finds the unit in disarray and poor morale. He must find a way to get his men to do their duty in the face of danger and high losses.
The term "twelve o'clock high" refers to the practice of calling out the positions of attacking enemy aircraft by reference to an imaginary clock face, with the bomber at the center. The terms, "high" (above the bomber), "level" (at the same altitude as the bomber) and "low" (below the bomber) further refine the location of the enemy.
Following the 132 minute film, attendees are invited to discuss the leadership and ethical choices made by characters in the story.
Pizza and soft drinks will be served. No RSVP required. First Come first served.
The “Military Film Series,” sponsored by Belfer Center’s Defense and Intelligence Projects, examines moral and ethical dilemmas portrayed in films about war and conflict. Students are confronted with the choices made in war and asked to analyze and assess those choices.