Aces High
1976
Action / Drama / War
Aces High
1976
Action / Drama / War
66%
TOMATOMETER
· 1 reviews
66%
AUDIENCE
· 250 ratings
6.6/10
3.3K
Plot summary
The first World War is in its third year and aerial combat above the Western Front is consuming the nation's favored children at an appalling rate. By early 1917, the average life-span of a British pilot is less than a fortnight. Such losses place a fearsome strain on Gresham, commanding officer of the squadron. Aces High recreates the early days of the Royal Flying Corps with some magnificently staged aerial battles, and sensitive direction presents a moving portrayal of the futilities of war.
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU
Movie Reviews
Believable
Excellent
This is an excellent film about WWI Royal Flying Corps and their fights against the Germans over the trenches.
Fantastic cast - McDowell, Trevor Howard, Peter Firth, Simon Ward and Christopher Plummer - they are all some of the best in the business at portraying English upper classes. Especially the mean McDowell (with his ironic speech at Eton 'we are caning them' when they're not really) and the callow Peter Firth, all Boys Own enthusiasm.
Shows the pious nature of the English elite, with John Gielgud as the headmaster spouting out empty platitudes about decency and 'playing the game' while, meanwhile, McDowell is playing dirty tricks on German pilots (the scene where he gets his opponent to land in the field and then destroys him as he walks towards his plane to offer help).
Fantastic aerial shots.