The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955)

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.

Director:

Otto Preminger

Writers:

Milton Sperling (story), Emmet Lavery (story),

Stars:

Gary Cooper, Charles Bickford, Ralph Bellamy

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gary Cooper	...	Col. Billy Mitchell
Charles Bickford	...	Gen. Jimmy Guthrie
Ralph Bellamy	...	Congressman Frank R. Reid
Rod Steiger	...	Maj. Allan Guillion
Elizabeth Montgomery	...	Margaret Lansdowne
Fred Clark	...	Col. Moreland
James Daly	...	Lt. Col. Herbert White
Jack Lord	...	Lt. Cmdr. Zachary 'Zack' Lansdowne
Peter Graves	...	Capt. Bob Elliott
Darren McGavin	...	Capt. Russ Peters
Robert F. Simon	...	Adm. Gage (as Robert Simon)
Charles Dingle	...	Sen. Fullerton
Dayton Lummis	...	Gen. Douglas MacArthur
Tom McKee	...	Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker
Stephen Roberts	...	Maj. Carl Spaatz (as Steve Roberts)

Storyline

The true story of General Billy Mitchell, a pioneering crusader for the Army's fledgling air corp. In spite of an impressive performance during the First World War, the commanders of America's armed forces still think of the airplane as little more then a carnival attraction. Even after sinking an "unsinkable" captured German battleship from the air, Mitchell sees funds dry up and friends die due to poor equipment. He is court-martialed after questioning the loyalty of his superiors for allowing the air corp to deteriorate.

---

Plot Keywords:

general | court martial | battleship | aviation pioneer | u.s. president | 

---

Taglines:

He defied the army and navy . . . and they gave him a Court Martial!

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | War

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 December 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Condamné au silence

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

United States Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (optical prints) 4-Track Stereo (RCA Sound Recording) (magnetic prints)

Color:

Color (WarnerColor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Jack Lord.

---

Goofs

The award ribbons on Billy Mitchell's uniform coat are arranged in rows of three. However, he actually wore them in rows of four.

---

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.

---

Connections

Referenced in M*A*S*H: 5 O'Clock Charlie (1973)

---

Soundtracks

"Come Josephine In My Flying Machine"
(uncredited)
Music by Fred Fisher

User Reviews

A decent film - with a mesmerising 17-minute cameo

This is a decent film, for the most part a very watchable telling of a good true story which is worth knowing about. Gary Cooper is solid in the title role (albeit he is apparently nothing like the real-life Mitchell) and the drama moves along at a reasonable pace.

But for 17 minutes towards the end it rises above that and becomes mesmerising. What makes the difference? Two words: Rod Steiger. The cross-examination scene, where he goads and scorns Cooper mercilessly, is one of those very rare moments in cinema when a performance holds the screen and burns itself into your memory. No matter how many times I have seen this film, I always spend the first hour or so waiting to relish this particular scene. And I am never disappointed.

So watch the film for two reasons: it is good in its own right. A well-played, thoughtful and dignified film about a good man who was ahead of his time. But whatever you do, make sure you don't miss the last half-hour!