The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell

Released Dec 31, 1955

1h 40m

History

Drama

List

100%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

61%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

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).

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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

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Film4

Away from the courtroom, the film is less riveting, though Cooper is consistently impressive.

Oct 23, 2007

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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

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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

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Otto Preminger

Director

Gary Cooper

Col. Billy Mitchell

Charles Bickford

Gen. Jimmy Guthrie

Ralph Bellamy

Congressman Frank R. Reid

Rod Steiger

Maj. Allan Guillion

Elizabeth Montgomery

Margaret Lansdowne

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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
Producer: Milton Sperling
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