Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell

      Released Dec 31, 1955 1h 40m History Drama List
      100% 8 Reviews Tomatometer 61% 500+ Ratings Audience Score U.S. Col. Billy Mitchell (Gary Cooper) is a decorated World War I veteran airman frustrated by the military's mistreatment of the flying program. With military brass and many in the government still favoring battleships, Mitchell sees funding cut to aviation, resulting in the unnecessary deaths of pilots. When Mitchell publicly accuses his superiors of ineptitude, he is court-martialed. At the trial, Congressman Frank Reid (Ralph Bellamy) advises Mitchell, who faces Maj. Guillion (Rod Steiger). Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

      View All (8) Critics Reviews
      Geoff Andrew Time Out With Cooper as the crusading officer, one is never in any doubt as to the correctness and sincerity of his views (Mitchell was posthumously rehabilitated in 1947), while Steiger puts in one of his inimitably flashy performances as the prosecuting attorney Feb 5, 2018 Full Review 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. Oct 23, 2007 Full Review Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap A quintessential Gary Cooper role in this portrait of the forgotten father of modern aviation, the sort of picture Golden Age Hollywood churned out with surprising speed and skill. Rated: 4/5 Oct 5, 2020 Full Review 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. Rated: B- Aug 24, 2012 Full Review Fernando F. Croce CinePassion The only certainty that remains is the need to ask questions Sep 5, 2009 Full Review Film4 Away from the courtroom, the film is less riveting, though Cooper is consistently impressive. Oct 23, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (13) audience reviews
      Steve D Too slow to really work. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/29/23 Full Review van h This is a classic. Well acted and follows the true story fairly well. This was much less biased than Judgement at Nuremberg. A must see. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The core of the movie, revolving around the courtroom drama and the one man crusade to improve the air service, is mildly entertaining with good pacing. However, when it comes to some of the histrionics, like the foretelling of the attack on pearl harbor or ultra sonic air speed, the movie becomes absurd and shows its true propaganda colors. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member A film worth adding to your collection. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member There is not much to dislike about this movie, great cast and director, excellent screenplay, superb production. I did find it slow moving at times, and somehow this film doesn't soar to the greatness it should have. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member THE COURT-MARTIAL OF BILLY MITCHELL (1955) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

      More Like This

      View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
      80% 64% Elizabeth the Queen 60% 50% The President's Lady 50% 63% War and Peace 96% 81% Julius Caesar 40% 42% The Barbarian and the Geisha Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

      Movie News & Guides

      View All Movie News & Guides

      This movie is featured in the following articles.

      Buzz Aldrin’s Five Favorite Films

      Photos

      View All The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell photos

      The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell

      The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955) The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955) The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955) The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955) The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955) View more photos

      Movie Info

      Synopsis U.S. Col. Billy Mitchell (Gary Cooper) is a decorated World War I veteran airman frustrated by the military's mistreatment of the flying program. With military brass and many in the government still favoring battleships, Mitchell sees funding cut to aviation, resulting in the unnecessary deaths of pilots. When Mitchell publicly accuses his superiors of ineptitude, he is court-martialed. At the trial, Congressman Frank Reid (Ralph Bellamy) advises Mitchell, who faces Maj. Guillion (Rod Steiger).
      Director
      Otto Preminger
      Distributor
      Warner Bros. Pictures
      Production Co
      Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
      Genre
      History, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Dec 31, 1955, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Aug 19, 2018
      Runtime
      1h 40m