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The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell

Play trailer Poster for The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell Released Dec 31, 1955 1h 40m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 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).

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 (12) 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 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 Audience Member Good courtroom drama, but Gary Cooper is a little too laid-back and is completely upstaged by Rod Steiger in their scene together. Early role also for the lovely Elizabeth Montgomery of 'Bewitched' fame! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell

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Cast & Crew

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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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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
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