The commodore
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | The commodore |
| Original title | A Gathering of Eagles |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1963 |
| length | 115 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 12 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Delbert man |
| script | Robert Pirosh |
| production | Sy Bartlett |
| music | Jerry Goldsmith |
| camera | Russell Harlan |
| cut | Russell Schoengarth |
| occupation | |
| |
The Commodore (in the original A Gathering of Eagles - in German : A swarm of eagles) is an American film drama against the backdrop of the Cold War by director Delbert Mann from 1963. The premiere in Germany took place on October 25, 1963.
action
The 904th Strategic Air Wing is based at Carmody Air Force Base near San Francisco. The Inspector General of the SAC, Strategic Air Command , Major General Kirby, lands on the base with a 30-man inspection force. Kirby wants to do a readiness inspection. The inspection reveals grievances that lead SAC commander General Hewitt to replace the air force base's squadron commodore with Colonel Jim Caldwell. Caldwell is delighted because it isn't just a huge step up the corporate ladder for him. His deputy is his friend Colonel Hollis Farr, with whom he fought in Korea. Caldwell enthusiastically informs his British wife Victoria.
Shortly after his arrival, Caldwell realizes how bad the base is. He initiates a 7-day alert, during which the crew members, isolated from their families, spend the time constantly on the base. In addition, Caldwell makes it clear to the men and also to the base commander, Colonel Fowler, that no one is safe at his job. Caldwell learns that Fowler has a drinking problem and fires him. He annoys a maintenance officer by not transferring him.
Victoria, who is friends with Fowler's wife, is also irritated by her husband's tough pace. Fowler injures himself from a shot, which at first looks like an accident. Caldwell wants to replace his friend Farr because he didn't handle the squadron hard enough. When Farr glossed over the joint maneuver criticism from other squadron commanders, Caldwell contradicted him and informed him of his imminent removal. This leads to a break with Victoria. Gossip, which Caldwell disbelieves, is that Victoria and Farr are having an affair. Victoria also believes that these stories are responsible for Farr's removal.
Caldwell visits Fowler in the hospital to get him out of his depression. However, he receives an alarm call from the base. An unidentified Boeing KC-135 , a tanker aircraft, is approaching for landing without an emergency report. Caldwell believes another readiness inspection is imminent. Caldwell cannot reach the base in time, so Farr must take command in the meantime. Farr launched a B-52 , a long-range bomber, despite poor engine performance, a peacetime violation of aviation security rules. Farr's rationale is to simulate war conditions.
Caldwell tells Kirby that he would have acted the same, whereupon Kirby surprisingly says that he would have acted the same. He would not consider the mission a failure. Caldwell congratulates Farr and informs him that he will keep his post. Victoria realizes the value of her husband's actions. Kirby also wants to bring her into the base's family program.
Reviews
"Objective, exciting and informative."
"The semi-documentary feature film about high-performance operations in a special unit of the US Air Force portrays the aviation environment in a surprisingly factual and authentic way."
“The film continues the tradition of the American aviator film in a very likeable way, in that it knows how to combine external tension with human conflicts and a good deal of factual information. (...) The technical side of the company likes to overlook some of the banalities of the plot, which can be found especially in the commodore's disturbed private life. The question of social justice that arises in the case of a dismissed officer unfortunately remains out of consideration. "
Awards
- Nomination for Best Sound Editing - Robert L. Bratton
background
Producer Bartlett served in the US Air Force during World War II. Through contacts with Curtis LeMay , the then Commander in Chief of the American Air Force and former commander of the Strategic Air Command , he and director Delbert Mann were able to use many SAC systems.
For Delbert Mann, who won an Oscar for his film debut Marty in 1956 , it was the chance to show that he could not only direct light and lively comedies.
Both the squadron designation (904th) and the Carmody air force base are fictional. The film was shot at the Beale Air Force Base north of Sacramento . The equipment, aircraft and personnel of the 456th Strategic Air Wing were used.
In a minor role as Mrs. Kemler, not mentioned in the credits, the 1976 Oscar winner (for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest ) Louise Fletcher can be seen in her first feature film.
Oscar-winning Henry Bumstead and Alexander Golitzen were responsible for setting the film . The director of the aerial photographs was Paul Mantz.
Web links
- The commodore in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Short review of the Variety (English)
- Classic Film Guide review
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b The Commodore. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed May 9, 2018 .
- ↑ http://www.cinema.de/film_aktuell/filmdetail/film/?typ=inhalt&film_id=17623
- ↑ [1] ( Page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
