The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955)
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100% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
61% of users liked it
(589 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
- Directed By
- Otto Preminger
- Written By
- Milton Sperling, Emmett Lavery
- Genres
- Drama, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1955 Wide
Critic Reviews
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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.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though not one of Preminger's stronger films, it's still worth seeing this fact-based courtroom drama starring Gary Cooper.
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
The only certainty that remains is the need to ask questions
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, Film4
Away from the courtroom, the film is less riveting, though Cooper is consistently impressive.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Low-key and earnest but slow like molasses.
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Cast
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Gary Cooper
as Brig.-Gen. William Mitchell
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Charles Bickford
as Gen. James Guthrie
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Ralph Bellamy
as Congressman Frank Reid
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Rod Steiger
as Maj. Allen Gullion
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Elizabeth Montgomery
as Margaret Lansdowne
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Fred Clark
as Col. Moreland
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James Daly
as Col. Herbert A. White
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Jack Lord
as Cmdr. Zachary Lansdowne
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Peter Graves
as Capt. Elliott
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Darren McGavin
as Russ Peters
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Charles Dingle
as Sen. Fullerton
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Dayton Lummis
as Gen. Douglas MacArthur
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Tom McKee
as Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker
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Steve Roberts
as Maj. Carl Spaatz
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Robert Brubaker
as Maj. H.H. Arnold
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Phil Arnold
as Fiorella La Guardia
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Ian Wolfe
as Calvin Coolidge
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Will Wright
as Adm. William S. Sims
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Steve Holland
as Stu Stewart
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Adam Kennedy
as Yip Ryan
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Carleton Young
as Gen. Pershing's Aide
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Peter Adams
as Officer
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Griff Barnett
as Civilian Steno
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Charles Jr. Chaplin
as Reporter
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William Forrest
as Commandant FSH
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Herbert Heyes
as Gen.John J. Pershing
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William Henry
as Officer
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Edna Holland
as Woman Secretary
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Edward Keane
as Court Judge
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Ewing Mitchell
as Court Judge
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Jack Perrin
as Court Reporter
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Robert F. Simon
as Adm. Adam Gage
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Max Wagner
as Sergeant Major
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Gregory Walcott
as Reporter Millikan
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Frank Wilcox
as Officer Tom
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Robert B. Williams
as Reporter Tuttle
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John Maxwell
as Court Judge
- Charles Anthony Hughes
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Michael Lally
as Reporter
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Cy Malis
as Reporter
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George Mayon
as Reporter
- Joel N. Smith
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William Fox
as Reporter
