I'm a fan of Dan Duryea, but I must say that he is better as a film more villain or anti-hero than as a generic World War II hero. The film deals with his colonel character's dealings with lieutenant Mike Connors, a story told in flashback by Duryea's commanding officer, Michael Fox, rather perplexing due to the exposition of complex issues within flying missions, not really interesting overall unless the viewer has some knowledge of these kinds of issues or aware of the technical terms utilized. I found it rather boring and easy to be distracted during my viewing of it, even though it's obvious that the writers were well meaning in their motivations.
The only female role is a military journalist played by Frances Gifford so there's little as far as romantic subplot is concerned. The scenes of Duryea and Conners flying is intermingled with stock footage that is far too obvious to look realistic and conjunction with the rest of the movie. Duryea's character, even with being a devoted pilot, isn't sympathetic in any way, and Conners is purposely insubordinate in a way that would lead to a court martial, particularly in wartime. This fails overall to really pull the viewer into caring about either of the characters.
The only female role is a military journalist played by Frances Gifford so there's little as far as romantic subplot is concerned. The scenes of Duryea and Conners flying is intermingled with stock footage that is far too obvious to look realistic and conjunction with the rest of the movie. Duryea's character, even with being a devoted pilot, isn't sympathetic in any way, and Conners is purposely insubordinate in a way that would lead to a court martial, particularly in wartime. This fails overall to really pull the viewer into caring about either of the characters.