The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(575 ratings)

In this 1955 Otto Preminger film, Gary Cooper stars as World War I hero Brigadier General Billy Mitchell. The film recounts Mitchell's efforts to prove the viability of a strong air force. The hidebound military higher-ups refuse to finance aviation any further, figuring that the strength of the… More In this 1955 Otto Preminger film, Gary Cooper stars as World War I hero Brigadier General Billy Mitchell. The film recounts Mitchell's efforts to prove the viability of a strong air force. The hidebound military higher-ups refuse to finance aviation any further, figuring that the strength of the United States lies in its navy. When a friend is killed by flying a faulty plane, Mitchell charges the War and Navy department with incompetence and criminal negligence. When the brass tries to quietly court-martial Mitchell, they are forced into the open by the strength of public opinion, largely in Mitchell's favor. Subjected to the grilling of prosecutor Alan Guillon (Rod Steiger) during his trial, Mitchell sticks to his guns, even outlining a potential Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor unless the military wises up and strengthens its air power. Elizabeth Montgomery makes her film debut in the role of Margaret Landsdowne. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Otto Preminger
Written By: Milton Sperling, Emmett Lavery
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 22, 1955 Wide
On DVD: Dec 16, 2003

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
The picture is a real kick in the shins for the cult of blind military obedience and the lesson which is laid on the line relates to Pearl Harbor.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
The only certainty that remains is the need to ask questions
, Film4
Away from the courtroom, the film is less riveting, though Cooper is consistently impressive.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Low-key and earnest but slow like molasses.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The courtroom dramatics are the heart of the film and are done in a brilliant no-nonsense way.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Solid if a bit slow drama of a man putting his career on the line for his what he believes rightly is the good of his country. The cast is full of great actors including an amazingly beautiful and impossibly young Elizabeth Montgomery in her first film role. She isn't totally at… More
Solid if a bit slow drama of a man putting his career on the line for his what he believes rightly is the good of his country. The cast is full of great actors including an amazingly beautiful and impossibly young Elizabeth Montgomery in her first film role. She isn't totally at ease yet but delivers in her big scene.

Cast

            Gary Cooper as Brig.-Gen. William Mitchell

            Charles Bickford as Gen. James Guthrie

            Ralph Bellamy as Congressman Frank Reid

            Rod Steiger as Maj. Allen Gullion

            Elizabeth Montgomery as Margaret Lansdowne

            Fred Clark as Col. Moreland

            James Daly as Col. Herbert A. White

            Jack Lord as Cmdr. Zachary Lansdowne

            Peter Graves as Capt. Elliott

            Darren McGavin as Russ Peters

            Charles Dingle as Sen. Fullerton

            Dayton Lummis as Gen. Douglas MacArthur

            Tom McKee as Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker

            Steve Roberts as Maj. Carl Spaatz

            Robert Brubaker as Maj. H.H. Arnold

            Phil Arnold as Fiorella La Guardia

            Ian Wolfe as Calvin Coolidge

            Will Wright as Adm. William S. Sims

            Steve Holland as Stu Stewart

            Adam Kennedy as Yip Ryan

            Carleton Young as Gen. Pershing's Aide

            Peter Adams as Officer

            Griff Barnett as Civilian Steno

            Charles Jr. Chaplin as Reporter

            William Forrest as Commandant FSH

            Herbert Heyes as Gen.John J. Pershing

            William Henry as Officer

            Edna Holland as Woman Secretary

            Edward Keane as Court Judge

            Ewing Mitchell as Court Judge

            Jack Perrin as Court Reporter

            Robert F. Simon as Adm. Adam Gage

            Max Wagner as Sergeant Major

            Gregory Walcott as Reporter Millikan

            Frank Wilcox as Officer Tom

            Robert B. Williams as Reporter Tuttle

            John Maxwell as Court Judge

            Charles Anthony Hughes
            
            Michael Lally as Reporter

            Cy Malis as Reporter

            George Mayon as Reporter

            Joel N. Smith
            
            William Fox as Reporter
See full cast