HENRY KING

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBB.  

USA, 1949.  Twentieth Century Fox.  Screenplay by Sy Bartlett, Beirne Lay Jr., based on the novel by Sy Bartlett, Beirne Lay Jr..  Cinematography by Leon Shamroy.  Produced by Darryl F. Zanuck.  Music by Alfred Newman.  Production Design by Maurice Ransford, Lyle R. Wheeler.  Costume Design by Sam Benson.  Film Editing by Barbara McLean.  

Gregory Peck becomes the captain of a squadron of fighter pilots in World War II, but his inability to separate himself personally from his men’s lives before sending them out to the slaughter gets in his way of doing his job effectively. Excellent character work, even though the pace lags here and there, in an intelligent and powerful war movie that doesn’t get mired in its propagandist patriotism. Peck is strong in the lead, and Dean Jagger and Gary Merrill also contribute excellent performances.

Academy Awards:  Best Supporting Actor (Dean Jagger); Best Sound Recording
Nominations: Best Picture; Best Actor (Gregory Peck)