Strategic Air Command [VHS]

Strategic Air Command [VHS]
by Anthony Mann

Strategic Air Command [VHS]

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Product details

Actor: Alex Nicol, Barry Sullivan, Frank Lovejoy, James Stewart, June Allyson
Director: Anthony Mann
Cinematographer: William H. Daniels
Editor: Eda Warren
Producer: Samuel J. Briskin
Writer: Beirne Lay Jr.
Writer: Valentine Davies
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Color, NTSC
Running Time: 112 minutes
Release Date: 1998-05-05
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: Paramount
Studio: Paramount

VHS Movie Reviews of Strategic Air Command [VHS]

Movie Review: good movie
Summary: 4 Stars

This is another movie I wasn't sure I would be able to find. Really enjoyed the flying parts of the B-36, and the B-47. really good movie for its time.

Movie Review: on the frontlines of defense . . .
Summary: 2 Stars

Directed by Anthony Mann, Strategic Air Command (1955) is a meandering drama centered on Robert `Dutch' Holland (James Stewart), a pro baseball player whose career is put on hold, when he is recalled into the Air Force, to serve as a bomber pilot. Initially upset at the unexpected change in his life, Dutch and wife Sally (June Allyson) adjust to military life. Dutch gets familiar with new types of long range bomber aircraft, and Strategic Air Command's (SAC) global responsibilities.

Although it is a time of peace, the film emphasizes the importance of remaining ever vigilant, along worldwide front, and also covers the personal and financial sacrifices, made by those who choose to serve the country in this mission. With no war to fight, the most exciting incident involves a wing catching on fire, and Dutch crash landing in Greenland, injuring his shoulder. The injury later becomes a problem, on an extremely long haul flight to Japan, leading to a dramatic landing in poor weather.

The film balances the military missions, with some peeks at home life. Allyson portrays the typical supportive wife, separated from her husband, giving birth to a daughter, while Dutch is on the Greenland mission. The marriage understandably experiences a crisis, when Dutch reenlists without checking with her.

A slow developing film, without much excitement, Strategic Air Command plays like a light promotional for the Air Force, making a case for the necessity to be ever alert to danger, and never letting your guard down. Stewart as usual is believable and likeable, though perhaps a bit on the older side to be a major league pitcher. Military buffs may enjoy the look at what are now vintage aircraft.

Movie Review: VHS movie
Summary: 5 Stars

The movie, Strategic Air Command, is not available in DVD format to rent, so I bought a copy-VHS, through Amazon.com. It is a wonderful USAF PR film [1955}. I wanted to show my grandson films of the B-36 bomber going through it's paces. Great stuff and it was inexpensive!

Movie Review: Visually stunning, even for those not prone to aircraft enthusiasm
Summary: 3 Stars

The real stars of this thinly-veiled recruiting, tribute and Cold War propaganda vehicle are the B-36 & B-47 bombers and other assorted massive military aircraft; the film is stuffed with stunning Vistavision, Technicolor visuals of these aircraft both in flight and on the tarmac.

Dozens taxied in formation for takeoff, aerial refuelings by KC-97 Stratotankers, crafty landings in the muck, gaping noses of C-124 Globemaster II cargo planes swallowing up tanker trucks whole - all will visually fascinate even those viewers with little in the way of aircraft enthusiasm.

Aside from the planes themselves, there's little else on board this film. Stewart's delivery is uninteresting; not surprising given the nearly non-existent plot, that pilot Stewart's fighting off personal aches/pains as well as his personal desire - and his 1950s-aproned wife's nagging - to return to professional baseball, a loose reference to BoRedSox's Ted Williams.

Stewart's being tapped for this vehicle is no accident in casting. He flew WWII bombing runs and remained an active member of the Air Force Reserve into the 1960s, ultimately achieving the rank of Brigadier General. June Alyson's delivers well the lousy supporting role she's dealt - playing the spoiled, hissy-fitting & whiny wife who's tired of worrying away the days when Stewart is aloft on classified missions to destinations unknown.

Though there's plenty of inside information/access on display, reference to SAC's 'nuclear failsafe' mission are notably absent.

Given Stewart's involvement and the full access granted by SAC, it's obvious the military (and likely Curtis LeMay) instigated the film's development, but though it's original purpose is long gone (and SAC, as of 1992), the viewer can still be thankful for the visually stunning record of these aircraft that it immortalized.

Another title for your "too-bad it's not on DVD" list.

Movie Review: Big Shiny Airplanes!
Summary: 4 Stars

Dutch Holland (James Stewart) was in the Air Force during WWII, but once his term was over, he picked up his old life again and joined a baseball league. He even got married to a beautiful and loving woman named Sally (June Allyson). One day, just when things are looking good for the family, he's asked to leave his job and join the Air Force again. Sally doesn't think he will, but he agrees quickly and loves his job. Despite the danger involved with flying, Dutch takes to it like a duck in water. He soon becomes in charge of his own crew, much to the chagrin of his wife.

This movie boasts its airplanes quite a lot and its popular cast not as much. In fact, Stewart requested to make this movie because of his own time in the Air Force during the war. He is excellent in the film, and doesn't seem to mind taking second billing to all of the aircraft. It is Allyson who suffers in a small role with little to do. This isn't a great Stewart-Allyson teaming, but it isn't a bad film. Thanks to the likable cast, one does not have to be interested in airplanes to enjoy the movie.

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Summary of Strategic Air Command [VHS]

Demonstrations of classic military tactical procedures and excellent footage of vintage aircraft (like the rare B-36), combine here to give viewers a cold war primer on the Air Force's defense capabilities, circa 1955. Former World War II pilot James Stewart is called out of retirement to assist in the strengthening of the Strategic Air Command, the new bomber forces that are America's first line of defense against the Russian nuclear threat. Wife June Allyson sits at home and frets over her husband's devotion to duty, while Harry Morgan lends a hand on the aircraft. Through Stewart, director Anthony Mann takes us on an ersatz tour of the elite Air Force operations that safeguarded America at the time. Unless you're interested in the aircraft of the day or stateside propaganda techniques during the cold war, Strategic Air Command tends to be a bit of a yawner. --Mark Savary

Classics Video

Genres > Action & Adventure
Drama > Classics
Military & War > By Theme > War in the Sky
Drama

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